The goal of this internship was to develop a comprehensive overview of recycling programs in the Greater Cleveland area and recommend how to advance recycling in the region. Programs in the region for waste reduction and reuse were also identified.
Objectives:
- Learn best practices of recycling in Cuyahoga County and along coastal Lake Erie
- Assist with the planning and implementation of partner recycling events/programming
- Assist in advancing a social media presence for partners
- Identify challenges and opportunities for recycling in the region
- Identify gaps in recycling services and messaging
- Explore existing programs for waste reduction and material reuse, e.g. Skip the Straw
- Apply a racial equity lens to recycling programs in the region
- Make recommendations to partners and to the ZeroWasteNEO Working Group for advancing recycling in the region
- Identify a new program to increase recycling in the region and develop an implementation plan for the program.
Project Outcomes
Overview of Tasks Completed by Intern Organized by Partner
City of Cleveland Office of Sustainability, Cathi Lehn, Sustainable Cleveland Manager
- Education and outreach (tabling)
- A Day in the Life of Rocky River
- Zero or reduced waste events volunteer/coordinator (Northeast Ohio Litter Summit, Sustainable Cleveland Summit, Citywide Potluck)
- Event waste and recycling associate (PorchFest, Open Streets Festival)
- Discussion facilitator (Common Ground)
- Event assistant (Great Lake Erie Boat Float)
