2000 Annual Report: Outreach and Public Education

A public outreach and education component exists for virtually every IWMB program and activity from waste prevention to market development to enforcement, consistent with Public Resources Code (PRC) section 42600. Statute requires the IWMB to establish a statewide public information and education program "to encourage participation by the general public, business, government, and industry in all phases of integrated waste management." In addition to program-specific education and outreach efforts, the IWMB has embarked on several independent initiatives to increase the public's awareness of waste reduction and integrated waste management. Currently, the IWMB's award-winning Web site is now one of the primary instruments used to deliver these initiatives to the public.

Public Education

Whether it’s finding new uses for waste tires, showing communities how to recycle their used motor oil, or teaching school children the value of placing their lunch scraps in worm bins for vermicomposting, a public outreach and education component exists for virtually every Waste Board program and activity.

Reaching Out on Waste. Local governments, schools, businesses, industry, and the public are audiences the IWMB reaches out to with messages about waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and the importance of buying recycled-content products. PRC section 42600 requires the IWMB to conduct statewide public information and education activities, and these responsibilities are an integral part of the IWMB’s mission and goals.

Throughout 2000, the IWMB promoted outreach efforts by exhibiting at a variety of expositions, fairs, community events, conferences, and trade shows focusing on resource conservation and environmental preservation. Staff distributed more than 136,600 publications and educational materials at events like the California State Fair and the Waste Board’s own first annual Recycled Products Trade Show. The IWMB also conducted outreach at a number of other events including Earth Day observances and the League of California Cities’ annual conference.

School Diversion

Although the implementation of waste prevention and recycling programs is not mandated for schools specifically, such efforts can significantly assist cities and counties in meeting the solid waste diversion goals. School waste prevention and recycling programs also educate children on the importance of these activities and teach them waste management skills that will last throughout their lives. The IWMB assists schools throughout the state to implement waste prevention and recycling programs.

From the school districts that participated in the original 1992 school survey, the IWMB learned that just four percent engaged in district-wide recycling programs. Results of the survey showed that existing recycling programs were typically organized by an enthusiastic teacher or through an environmental club. School-wide, and certainly district-wide, programs were rare. The IWMB realized that if districts were going to divert large amounts of waste, then programs would need to include the cooperation of the entire district.

To understand the implementation barriers school diversion programs faced, the IWMB selected five school districts to participate in pilot waste prevention and recycling programs. In 1994 information gathered from these pilots and regional training workshops was used to develop three how-to guides: A District-wide Approach to Recycling (publication #500-94-009), Seeing Green Through Waste Prevention (publication #500-94-010), and Going Beyond Recycling, Buy Recycled (publication #322-95-001). These guides were distributed to local government recycling coordinators, school district personnel, and private industry to assist schools in establishing waste diversion programs.

From the 1992 statewide survey, staff developed a database of school district programs, local government representatives working with schools, industry contacts, and environmental organizations. This database works as a networking resource to link schools with local contacts and school districts of comparable size that can serve as a model for new program development.

In 1999, the IWMB conducted a second survey and found the number of districts with programs had increased to 260 (26 percent). Despite the improvement, the survey revealed that nearly half of all school districts still had no recycling programs and most recycling programs operate at the individual school level and not through school districts. The survey also showed that, given schools’ priority to improve academic standards, diversion programs are difficult to develop and sustain.

To help school districts develop and improve their diversion programs, the IWMB is implementing a project to work with local jurisdictions and six pilot school districts to design a model waste management system that evaluates the entire materials management and waste practices of school districts. The evaluation and analysis is focused on identifying opportunities for waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and improved procurement of materials and waste management services. A tool kit with a menu of model segments is being developed from which the school districts can select to meet specific or desired diversion objectives. 

In addition, the IWMB has developed a database that will be accessible on the IWMB’s Web site and will profile school districts’ integrated waste management efforts. The Web site will also feature the aforementioned toolkit that jurisdictions and school districts can utilize to develop their diversion programs. Additionally, IWMB staff will develop an outreach and training schedule targeting IWMB staff, local government, school districts, and related associations to market these tools and foster partnerships within these audiences in an effort to promote the development and sustainability of school district diversion programs. For more information about school district diversion assistance, see www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Schools/WasteReduce/.