Montgomery County Recycling Awareness Week

Situation/Challenge

For two decades, Montgomery County, Maryland, has engaged Sage to design, develop and implement a series of community events in support of its Recycling Awareness Week program. The program was designed to promote the practice of recycling across Montgomery County and to recognize businesses, multi-family properties, individuals, schools, and residents who have made outstanding contributions to Montgomery County’s recycling efforts.

Montgomery County has set an evolving goal for how much of its solid waste should consist of recycled content; initially it was 50%, later rising to 70% and eventually increasing to 100%. To achieve these objectives, Montgomery County aims to raise awareness of the county’s recycling program among local businesses and residents and motivate them to recycle as much material as possible. The goal of Recycling Awareness Week is to promote awareness of the County’s recycling goal and to recognize community members who have worked or are working to achieve these goals. The weeklong event series also raises awareness of county programs for businesses and multi-unit residential communities—including SORRT (Smart Organizations Reduce and Recycle Tons) and TRRAC (Think, Reduce and Recycle at Apartments and Condominiums). Additionally, it promotes available resources for maximizing recycling and waste reduction efforts.

Approach

Sage developed a two-pronged approach to promote recycling programs across Montgomery County. For four days, Sage visited 12 county elementary schools to host a 45-minute assembly focused on the importance of recycling. The presentation, packaged as a magic show to engage the younger audience, encouraged students and teachers to improve their recycling practices both in the classroom and at home. Sage was responsible for contracting the magician, securing the school locations, working with school personnel to ensure proper assembly space, and managing the overall flow of each day’s events. Additionally, Sage hosted the Recycling Awards Ceremony, which acknowledged businesses and individuals who advanced the county closer to its recycling goal. Working alongside venue staff, appropriate catering was selected and audio/visual equipment was secured and tested. Proper room layout was arranged, and multiple site visits ensured that the hotel was in clear understanding of the client objectives. Sage created and placed all hotel signage and designed the program in concert with the client’s efforts. Various vendors were also secured, including a professional photographer and awards manufacturer. Additionally, Sage was responsible for creating and distributing all invitations to award recipients and special guests, as well as confirming registration through an online RSVP system. Onsite at the event, Sage managed registration while also maintaining constant communication with all venue staff and third-party vendors.

Results

For more than 20 years, Montgomery County personnel have been thrilled with a flawlessly executed week of events during all assemblies and award ceremonies and continue to select Sage on an annual basis to manage this event. County participation in the recycling programs consistently increases as awareness of its simplicity continues to spread through Sage’s outreach.