A new website and social media campaign is being used to help the City of Buffalo meet its goal of a 34 percent recycling rate by 2018.buffalorecycles.org is the website where residents can find collection schedules, resources, and answers to the question, “Can it be recycled?”
Mayor Byron Brown said the website and daily social media messages will be used to reach residents – in particular, a younger crowd.
“So for example, a message that people will see on Labor Day is, ‘Cleaning out the fridge before the long weekend? Don’t forget to rinse and recycle the carton in the green tote when you’re done,’” said Brown.
The online efforts are part of the second phase of the city’s ‘34andMore Buffalo Recycles’ initiative – a first-ever ad campaign aimed at increasing the city recycling rate to meet the nationwide 34 percent. They complement billboards, bus shelter posters, and printed ads featuring colorful illustrations and short messages informing the public about how small decisions can help support the recycling program.
Brown said the city’s recycling numbers are currently strong, and saw a slight increase over the summer. He thinks they will continue to climb.
Brown was joined on Monday afternoon by representatives from the University District Block Club Coalition which, along with other block clubs across the city, has offered a great deal of participation in ‘34andMore.’
“We’re finding that that has been very helpful in raising the awareness about the importance of recycling, and educating people about what can be recycled,” said Brown.
Brown wants to make sure the entire community is educated, involved, and excited about the initiative.
