Wearable Badge of Honor:::
Two Highly Inclusive, Working NYC Residential Recycling Models, Dec 2011
Implementing a new recycling bin program in most residential scenarios in NYC is both easy and desirable for tenants.
We want to thank Joan S. Levine and Allison Walsh for the effort they have put forth to pilot and host our drive program in their residential buildings. Here are some of their thoughts about hosting drives:::
WC: Community Response: How would you describe the response to the Wearable Collections recycling initiative?
AW: Concord Village is a seven-building, 1,023 unit apartment complex, and we have been having Wearable Collections events two-three times a year for the past few years. Each time, we have a larger turn-out.
JL: Very enthusiastic. People are always stopping me and asking when the next textile collection will be.
WC: Promotional Tips: Sometimes flyers and announcements can get lost in the midst of such a large community as yours. Can you tell us a little bit about how you were able to generate so much participation?
AW: Our community is now used to the events happening, and people save up their materials, planning for the next collection. As the organizer, I have more and more people asking me between events when the next one is scheduled.
JL: We make our own flyer which we put up on every floor in our co-op and in every building of the adjacent public housing development across the street.
WC: Timing: How do you feel planning/timing effects the outcome of your drives?
AW: We have been trying to schedule them around the seasons, usually in the spring and fall, when people are ready to transition to different wardrobe staples.
JL: We keep our events outdoors. Therefore, we schedule our collections when it’s not too cold to stand outside for several hours. We do an event in the spring, summer and fall.
WC: Previous Experiences: How has this experience compared to other events you have hosted?
JL: Textiles are the easiest items to collect.
WC: Future Plans: Shall we schedule you another drive?
AW: We will definitely be in touch to schedule another collection sometime in April.
JL: Yes, we will contact you about another one probably in April.
