An initiative to improve waste sorting behaviours and community pride has been recognised by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in the WasteSorted Awards, resulting in the City becoming a finalist in two categories.
Mayor Peter Feasey said Street by Street involved staff door-knocking 24 streets in total, offering an opportunity to beautify their street and to face their waste at pop up events held on each of the streets a week later.
Residents were rewarded with a gift card if they faced their waste in front of their neighbours by allowing the City’s Waste Education Officer at audit their recycling bin.
Mayor Feasey said the initiative was about the City being proactive and taking a human-centered approach to community engagement.
“Community safety resources were also distributed, and a sense of community was fostered at each of the pop up Street by Street events,” Mayor Peter Feasey said.
“Street by Street’s Face your Waste activity has demystified bin-tagging and recycling.
“More than 95 per cent of people surveyed said they felt more confident sorting their recycling after the event.
“The bin audits helped educate people on correct waste sorting behaviours and it was great to see residents get together to see their verge gardens tidied up, increasing a sense of community pride and neighbourhood connection.
“Through innovative human-centered design, we are building meaningful relationships within our community while enhancing trust and collaboration between residents and the City’s services.
“The Street by Street Face your Waste initiative also met 13 out of the 15 City’s strategic objectives, maximising outcomes across the board,” he said.
The City of Kwinana is a finalist for the Local Government Award/Regional Council Award, and for the Community Engagement Award.
The winners of the WasteSorted Awards will be announced in September.