Waste Reduction Committee

Mission
The Waste Reduction Committee is dedicated to eliminating waste in Washington, D.C.

Meetings
The Waste Reduction Committee meets regularly on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM. Meeting times and location are subject to change, so please check the Chapter calendar for details.

National Mall Recycling Project
The Sierra Club, in cooperation with the National Park Service, is working to build an effective recycling system for the National Mall. Volunteers are mapping the park’s waste stream, evaluating the content and sources of waste on the National Mall, and compiling recommendations for establishing an innovative, functional recycling system that will serve as a national model. This project is supported by the Center for American Progress/Campus Progress.

Check the calendar of events for the next opportunity to volunteer with this project.

Recycling Education in DC Schools
The D.C. Public Schools are woefully underfunded and most do not have recycling systems. The Waste Reduction Committee is designing curriculum for all grades to be used in D.C. schools, training volunteers to teach the curriculum, and assisting D.C. schools with implementing recycling systems and obtaining the needed resources.

Public Education
To more effectively encourage recycling from all sectors in D.C., the Waste Reduction Committee is developing a series of public education materials to bolster existing Office of Recycling efforts. Volunteers are reviewing recycling literature produced by the leading recycling cities across to country to develop similarly effective materials to be used in D.C.

Citizen Enforcement of DC Recycling Law
Despite D.C.’s recycling law, which mandates that all commercial properties and office buildings recycle, many properties do not recycle. Unfortunately, the D.C. Office of Recycling is too understaffed to adequately enforce the recycling law. In response, the Waste Reduction Committee has formed a citizen enforcement team to investigate properties in violation of the law, educate owners and occupants about the law, regularly follow-up with owners to ensure compliance, and report any resistant properties to the city.

Get Involved
To get involved or to join the Waste Reduction Committee listserv, contact Jeff Gustafson at jeff.gustafsonmac.com or (925) 209-9898.

7-12-08