Environmental Education Assistants help make recycling a breeze

Knowing which bin to put something in or adapting to a new recycling program can be a little tricky sometimes. The City’s team of Environmental Education Assistants are here to help! You’ll find them out in the community where their job is to provide information, answer questions and get people excited about waste diversion. Environmental Education Assistants from left to right Jemima Arikiriza, Victoria Kotylak, Mckinley Trayner, Candice Driscoll, Afolasade Nubi, Ian Halman Since spring 2023, Environmental Education Assistants have been working with property managers to support residents with the roll out of the mandatory Green Bin program in multi-residential properties. The City currently collects waste from approximately 2,300 multi-residential properties of which about half have the Green Bin program. The City is working with property owners and managers to bring green bins to all multi-residential properties by the end of 2028. A typical day for the team involves connecting with people by knocking on doors, setting up booths in the lobby of a multi-residential building or delivering presentations. On average, they visit five multi-residential properties a week and speak to approximately 175 residents to explain how the Green Bin program works. “I personally enjoy the fact that I know I am going to meet someone that is going to be grateful for our efforts” says Ian. “Every time a resident thanks me or tells me they are glad to hear they have a green bin program I know I am making a difference. Those types of interactions are common and the reason I feel there is a community behind our program.” More than half of the waste multi-residential properties send to landfill could have been recycled or put in the green bin. Providing these properties with the green bin gives them more options to divert waste and helps the City reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while in turn prolonging the life of the Trail Waste Facility Landfill. Sometimes, the Environmental Education Assistants meet people who have concerns about the green bin. Mckinley explains that they are there to help find solutions. “Some of the most positive situations I’ve had is when someone answers the door, and they are very honest that they do not use the green bin. They might have tried it in the past and it didn’t work for them” says Mckinley. “In those situations, we have the chance to help find solutions for the resident. Not only does this involve them in the green bin program, but really brings forth that community aspect that is so important. Bringing together people, planet and positivity!” Look out for the Environmental Education Assistants in your neighbourhood. To learn more about the Green Bin program in multi-residential buildings visit ottawa.ca.