Neighbours Working Together Area Waste Management Group (AWMG) MWA Spring Workshop May 2014

We are a cooperative of five separate municipalities located within south-central Ontario:

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014

Provides us with an the opportunity to share common experiences, exchange relevant information, and embark on joint ventures made possible by our close geographical connections.

Four of the five municipalities also share the Rural Regional group distinction under the WDO municipal groupings.

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 We meet 2-3 times each year, sharing hosting duties on a rotating basis.

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Not unlike the MWA family - sharing and networking - but on a smaller, more regionalized, and more task- oriented basis. Casual and informal; no membership fees, no Agreements, no budget per se. Agendas and Minutes are completed by hosting municipality.

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Formed in 2008, when the County of Peterborough, Northumberland County, and Quinte Waste Solutions met to explore opportunities for organics processing. Decided to continue meeting regularly to discuss other waste related matters. Expanded to include the City of Kawartha Lakes and City of Peterborough in 2009.

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Typical meeting agendas include the following items: Markets Diversion Programs (BB, L&Y, Scrap Metal, Tire, MHSW, WEEE, Organics) Joint Purchasing Opportunities Contracts / Tenders WDO Datacall (especially Best Practices) Updates on Major Projects / Initiatives (Master Plans, Collection Tenders, Changes in Services or Programs)

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Benefits One common voice to represent our area to regulators and other waste-related agencies General information sharing Sharing of Tenders/RFPs Overlap of media means opportunities for shared outreach Close proximity, making it feasible to consider joint programs, procurement and co-contracting

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Another great benefit… Best Practices Points!

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Some of the tangible outcomes from the AWMG: meetings with WDO officials regarding the latest ISPs for batteries, paint, etc (Michael Scott and Mary Cummins)

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Recycle Rangers School Program

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Previously, all the municipal partners had varying types of programs; no consistency in the message Most found it difficult to reach the schools given staffing constraints Decided one consistent message, delivered by one outside agency, would be the way to go

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Program Goals Focused on what was the same Reinforce recycling messaging through the kids Blue box intensive Rotating themes

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Program Outcome 2 year pilot Reached 82 of 83 schools in the region 10 schools competed in Waste Reduction Challenge

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Recycle Rangers won Gold for 2012 Best P&E Tool

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 What’s Next? Developing a new module for next phase

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Original pilot group for “Plastic Is In” campaign

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 “Plastic Is In” campaign Goals : To increase the capture of mixed plastics To educate people about mixed plastics To determine the effectiveness of the campaign

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 “Plastic Is In” campaign Method: Various communication tools/strategies Evaluation: Pre and post audits Consumer research

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 “Plastic Is In” campaign Results: Information on success of various communication vehicles Support for a provincial campaign focused on all plastics

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Successfully applied to CIF for 50% funding for a group campaign, called “Fibers Are In”

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Challenges?? Not every idea works for the entire group – differences in our programs, budgets and political masters may prevent it. Even if things can’t work for all of us, part of the group may still work together, and ideas may be adapted and modified as required. The following slides highlight some areas where we have had successes between two or more members, and where we may look to expand to others as possible.

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Creation and sharing of some innovative collection ideas:

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Shared P&E, particularly between the City and County of Peterborough

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Shared ideas and personnel…

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 Currently working on shared messaging for common issues we all encounter: presence of batteries in with the recycling the reduction of excessive food waste presence of sharps in both garbage and recycling (promotion of the HPSA programs in pharmacies) the promotion of reusable diapers

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 In conclusion… We’ve found no real downside in getting together a few times a year to share our current projects, our success stories - and our not so successful projects - and to talk about how we might collaborate in the future. fun, casual and always informative good brainstorming and sounding board sessions tangible results easy to meet face to face due to proximity to one an other Low cost of providing lunch once a year The camaraderie keeps us all humble

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 And as Karl from Northumberland County likes to say… Keep on recycling!

MWA Spring Workshop May 2014 City of Kawartha Lakes – Heather Dzurko  City of Peterborough – Virginia Swinson  County of Peterborough – Lily Hamill  Northumberland County – Adam McCue  Quinte Waste Solutions – Jeanne Vilneff 

Questions ?