Mediaboss Marketing

Sustainability is a worthwhile endeavor for a city to encourage of its residents, and Lincoln has long been among Nebraskas leaders in this field.

But such efforts must come with common sense and fiscal responsibility.

The recycling agreement before the Lincoln City Council seeks to achieve positive change by increasing the number of people who recycle and decreasing per capita waste by 100 pounds. The proposed $850,000 cost for the pact, though, is just too high for the city despite its noble goals.

Accordingly, city council members were wise to postpone a vote on the measure on the three-year agreement, one that would cost more than $5,500 per week, while also looking at incentives though theyd likely be more expensive and other means to encourage recycling.

With corrugated cardboard set to be banned from the city landfill next spring, such a campaign is needed and the citys current two-year budget already includes initial funding for the needed program. The best means, as the two Nebraska companies involved with the drive correctly noted, to grow public participation from the wary is through positive reinforcement and education.

Community events and social marketing represent good ways to do so. But the plans use of direct mail, while an effective way to reach people, poses a problem.

In a twist of irony, both companies proposed mailers that would encourage Lincoln residents to recycle more as part of their marketing. However, as one man who testified at Mondays meeting accurately pointed out, a large chunk of those paper flyers will no doubt end up in trash cans and the landfill a counterproductive result that would instead create more waste.

An increase in recycling along with the corresponding decrease in waste destined for the landfill is a positive for any community. Lincoln has been bold in pushing green initiatives and sustainability, with these forward-thinking enterprises helping to drive the city in a positive way as it continues to grow.

Progress comes with a price tag, and recycling isnt cheap. But improving Lincoln by leaving it a better, cleaner place than we found it is definitely worth an investment if done responsibly.

The effort before the City Council is certainly a step in the right direction for Lincoln. However, both the dollar figure and specifics of the recycling plan need a bit of revising before the council reconsiders the measure in two weeks.

See more here:
Editorial, 8/3: Recycling plan a good idea but needs work - Lincoln Journal Star