Are you interested in making your community greener? Do you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of creating a recycling initiative and getting homeowners to follow suit? We understand how difficult community projects can be – that’s why we’re offering some tips to help you create a well-organized recycling initiative.

Here’s how you can create a plan to begin implementing a recycling initiative in your community:

Gather Volunteers

Gathering a group of environmentally-minded homeowners who are interested in helping their HOA is the first step toward implementing a new recycling program. Even if your association isn’t large enough for a committee, there are still a few simple things that can be done to achieve recycling goals.

Strategize

Perhaps the most difficult obstacle is getting the community on board with a new recycling policy.  You can help prevent future problems by first bringing the community in on the decision. Public input, through processes like online surveys, will help gauge public interest in a new recycling policy. A survey will also help determine personal preferences for recycling procedures.

Decide

Once the survey has been completed, it’s time to make decisions regarding your new HOA’s policy with the help of your board, community manager, and county or city recycling coordinator.

Educate Homeowners

Consider launching an education initiative to inform homeowners of the benefits of the new plan, and how to successfully follow the new procedures. Often, homeowners fall into two groups – those who are eager to recycle, and those who struggle to see the value in recycling. Both audiences need literature geared toward them; the first group responds well to learning the environmental benefits of the type of recycling your HOA is adopting, while the second group can be persuaded through a discussion on recycling’s financial benefits.

Related: Quick and Easy Home Improvements

Regardless of your HOA’s current recycling habits, there is always room for everyone to improve their ecological footprint. A well-organized recycling initiative can make a big difference in your community, and creating a new recycling program is a great way to do your part while bringing neighbors together for the common goal of helping improve our planet and safeguard it for future generations!