Zero Waste Scotland Volunteer Program: Engaging Communities

1. Zero Waste ScotlandVolunteer Programme

2. The Volunteer Programme to date • Started as the “Master Composter Scheme” in 2008 with a handful of groups • Scope has since expanded to include Love Food Hate Waste, Recycling, Stop the Drop and others as appropriate (such as Reuse) • Coverage in 2012 up to all council areas except Shetland

3. This year so far … Q1 2012/13; • Over 500 volunteers • Attended 520 events • Gave 3,558 volunteer hours • Spoke to 17,303 people • Generated 1,369 items of publicity • Got 1,627 Facebook likes • Have 1,127 Twitter followers

4. The Volunteer Programme purpose • Play a vital role in delivering the Zero Waste Scotland messaging to householders and communities • Engage locally with communities to create a greater impact across the country

5. Some typical activities • Information stands at small community events such as church fairs to high profile events such as the Good Food Show, Gardening Scotland and the 50+ Show • Giving talks to groups such as SWRI and community councils • Running staff engagement activities with businesses including training green champions • Writing articles for newsletters • Running workshops on how to reduce food waste or compost

6. Working with Local Authorities • Supporting council roadshows when introducing new kerbside offerings • Working together at events • Display council recycling materials and collection receptacles such as bins/bags • Give out council receptacles • They could show figures/graphs for local council recycling rates (if you want) • Give advice on how to recycle more in that area • Provide information on what happens to local recyclates e.g. where it goes and what it is turned into.

7. Some things groups have already done • Transform (Dundee) - hand in a plastic bottle for recycling, get a free glass of juiceand advice about recycling and reusing bottles • BCCF (Scottish Borders) - Promote recycling at events such as a running race and collect drinks bottles • ABIC/North Ayrshire Council/Volunteer Centre East Ayrshire – joint stand with local councils at Ayr Flower Show • Pilot linking into a housing association’s waste improvement plan to engage embedded volunteers • Presentations to degree students in Universities

8. What can you do to help? • Have regular meetings (quarterly?) with your local volunteer group and RPM to discuss joint working opportunities and your objectives/priorities • Invite the volunteer group to work with you at events you’re attending, or get them to attend events on your behalf that you can’t attend • Promote the volunteer scheme on your website/leaflets/pay slips • Provide leaflets/posters/training to volunteer groups on; • What can be recycled in your area • Where the recyclate goes • What the recyclate is turned into • FAQ – e.g. what about tenements, are bigger bins available etc

9. What can you do to help/cont … • Work with volunteer groups to develop materials/games/activities to help promote local recycling such as; • Having piles of materials for people to sort as to what can and can’t be recycled • Quizzes • Presentations • Provide contact details for volunteers to pass to the public when they can’t answer questions. • Provide recycling bins/bags/food caddies for display • Get the volunteers in to speak to your staff in your canteen/reception

10. What Resources do the volunteer groups have? • Websites/Facebook/Twitter/Newsletters • A network of enthusiastic, trained volunteers ready to speak to your local residents • Leaflets – “What can I do today” (and other campaign specific leaflets) • “Recycle Here” wind dancers, “Ask me about recycling” badges/t-shirts, Recycling journey banners available to borrow for big events • Pull up banners (artwork on partners site)

11. Contact details • Details of all volunteer groups are available on the ZWS website; www.zerowastescotland.org.uk • In the first instance, contact your Regional Partnership Manager;