Tenant Education and Engagement
Get Tenants Involved
A successful waste-reduction program depends on tenant awareness and participation. Be sure to clearly communicate program requirements, goals and achievements.
Consider the following steps:
Step 1: Tenant training
- Re-train staff on a regular basis, focusing on problem areas and new systems or procedures.
- Provide all tenants and contracted staff (such as cleaners) with an orientation guide outlining the program and its requirements.
Step 2: Marketing and communications
- Create a program name (and logo if possible) to include on all communications, including bins.
- Develop and maintain an orientation guide explaining the key elements of the program.
- Meet with staff in person to address any questions or concerns.
- Publish a program newsletter or bulletin.
Step 3: Proper signage
- Make signs clear and easy to read.
- Use both images and text – images work well because they are universal.
- Mount posters and displays in common areas.
Step 4: Rewards and recognition
- Promote any recognition your program receives to motivate tenants.
- Hold morale-building events like a barbeque or a party to recognize waste-reduction efforts.
- Develop theme weeks to encourage tenant engagement.
Step 5: Monitoring
- Encourage your cleaning staff to help monitor tenant participation.
- Monitor and evaluate the program to ensure its viability and success. Track any revenue as well as avoided costs, such as:
- Recycling revenues
- Amount of waste reduced
- Amount of waste diverted
- Reduced garbage bills
- Reduced purchasing or operating costs
- Avoided regulatory and compliance expenses
- Schedule quarterly program meetings for all managers to assess current practices and discuss ways to improve the program.
- Designate program leads to remind tenants that this is a serious, monitored waste-reduction program.
- Clearly communicate the consequences of not following the program.
- Develop reminder notices that can be handed out to tenants whose waste-reduction efforts are unsatisfactory.
Orientation Guide Contents
Help tenants get their waste-reduction program in place and stay on track with an orientation guide that includes:
- Program overview
- Program goals
- Sorting locations and depots
- Lists of materials that can and can’t be recycled
- Instructions for any non-recyclable materials
- Special, highlighted instructions for hazardous materials
- Separate instructions for handling every type of material
- Signage samples
- A quarterly management meeting schedule
Remember to include building management contact information in case tenants have questions.
