Abstract
By 2025, California must achieve a 75 percent organics recycling target. To achieve this target, local governments will soon be tasked with implementing organic waste recycling programs to divert food waste. This thesis attempts to determine the most effective education and outreach efforts jurisdictions should use to encourage the residential sector, which includes single and multi-family residences, to participate in food waste recycling programs. In this study, I conducted a case study review of six jurisdictions in the Bay Area that have implemented food waste recycling programs in the residential sector. These jurisdictions differed in the use of education and outreach methods, thus providing opportunities to assess which methods are more or less effective. To conduct this assessment, I interviewed jurisdiction recycling program coordinators, solid waste haulers, other organizations, and CalRecycle staff. I also reviewed and analyzed publicly available outreach materials from the jurisdictions, haulers, and other organizations. Based on the findings of my study, I provide the following recommendations regarding best practices that jurisdictions should consider when conducting outreach to residences: 1) Continue prioritizing direct contact efforts. Explore door-to-door outreach to expand education to multi-family residences. 2) Electronic platforms should be used to maximize outreach. 3) Messaging should include an extensive overview of the mechanics of recycling, information on how recycling relates to broader social issues, the use of universal images, and language translation. 4) Metrics should be developed to assess how outreach efforts affect recycling and participation rates. 5) Jurisdictions should partner with other organizations to conduct and evaluate outreach efforts.