"Innovations" Case Studies: Serving Diverse Populations with Recycling

General Information

Local governments can raise awareness for and increase participation in their recycling programs by performing outreach and designing a recycling program with community diversity in mind. Such outreach and programming can be an important factor in reaching the 50 percent recycling rate required by the California Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939, Sher, Chapter 1095, Statutes of 1989 as amended [IWMA]).

The residential recycling rate in El Monte, Calif., increased from 6 percent in 1994 to 34 percent in 1998. The city recognized its cultural differences and used a variety of approaches to deliver its message, increasing diversion. The city uses bilingual waste auditors and writes follow-up recommendations in appropriate languages.

The impact of a community’s outreach program is minimal if it does not reach the community. This is especially true of communities with diverse populations. In order for a city to reach its diverse populations, it must tailor its outreach and recycling program to their specific needs.

Diversity presents many barriers that may limit the effectiveness of a city’s recycling program. Barriers may include:

• Language. Although outreach material may be physically reaching residents, the material may be interpreted improperly or not at all. The first language of many California residents is not English. In fact, more than 15 percent of California residents either do not speak English very well or they do not speak it at all.
• Limited access to recycling. Many low-income residents reside in apartment and multifamily units that do not have recycling services. Or, their services may not be as comprehensive as those offered to single-family households. For instance, residents who change their own motor oil may not recycle this material if there is not immediate access to oil recycling or if they are not aware of recycling options.
• Costs or perceived costs. Residents who have lower incomes may shy away from recycling if they believe that recycling costs them money (especially true for pay-as-you-throw [PAYT] trash programs). These residents may also perceive that the city is making money off of their materials and may wonder why they have to pay for this service.
• Transience. Transient populations, such as students and tourists, pose special problems to cities because these populations may be difficult to track and commit to the community’s recycling program due to the limited amount of time they spend within the community.
• Age and physical inability to recycle. Not all residents may be able to access the recycling program, or they might find it too difficult to recycle. This is especially true for senior citizens and physically challenged residents, who may be unable to deliver their recyclables to the curb.
• Media breakdown. Not all citizens may receive or have access to recycling outreach materials via the channels through which they are released. For example, low-income residents might not subscribe to the newspaper or cable television or own a computer.

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Table: 1990 California Demographics (Source: 1990 U.S. Census)

Table: Other Demographic Information

[This model study sheds some light on how communities can overcome the barriers named on the previous page and spur more recycling among diverse constituents. In particular, it features successful initiatives in El Monte, Monterey Park, San Jose, San Francisco, and Sunnyvale.]

Population and Race. According to the California Department of Finance, in 1998 California was home to more than 33 million people. One-quarter of a million people have migrated to the state since 1997. Since 1990 the state population has increased by more than 3 million people. California contains 471 cities, 95 percent of which gained population in 1997.

The two largest cities in the state are Los Angeles and San Diego, which house almost 5 million of the state’s residents. Population projections from the California Department of Finance show that population over the age of 65 will increase 49 percent by 2040. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, the state’s racial makeup consisted of 57 percent white, 26 percent Hispanic, 9 percent Asian and Pacific Islander, 7 percent Black, and less than 1 percent American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut.

Future population projections by the California Department of Finance suggest that the Hispanic and Asian populations will continue to increase in the state while the number of whites will decrease. The agency projects a racial makeup in 2040 of 30 percent white, 50 percent Hispanic, and 15 percent Asian or Pacific Islander. Many California cities, such as El Monte, with 67 percent of its population of Hispanic origin, already exceed this 2040 projection.

Disabilities. In California, 5 percent of people between the ages of 16 and 64 have either a mobile or self-care limitation. Four percent of people between the ages of 16 and 64 have a work disability that prevents them from working, and 20 percent of persons 65 and over have either a mobile or self-care limitation.

Rentals. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, 36 percent of all occupied housing units in the United States are rentals. In California, 44 percent of all occupied housing units are rentals. Many cities in California contain an even higher percentage of rental units (Berkeley, 56 percent; El Monte, 60 percent; Fresno, 52 percent; Monterey Park, 45 percent; and San Francisco, 66 percent).

Income. In California, 9 percent of all families are below the poverty level, although some cities such as El Monte (18 percent) and Monterey Park (13 percent) exceed this percentage.

Tourism. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, California contained more than 6,000 tourist accommodations in 1997. According to the California Trade and Commerce Agency tourism division, there were 250 million domestic person-trips to and through the state in 1998. Much of this travel took place in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and San Francisco counties.

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Last updated: October 26, 2007