$50k at stake in recycling challenge

The Think Green Recycling Challenge is underway and $50,000 is on the line for a “shovel-ready” neighborhood project.

Here in Ballard, otherwise known as “Tuesday North,” Sustainable Ballard has accepted the invitation from Waste Management to take the lead in organizing the Ballard community for the challenge.

The challenge started on October third and ends on March 30th.

Here are some details how the Think Green contest works from Jenny Heins at Sustainable Ballard:

• Waste Management will be measuring success by percentage (rather than volume) of garbage reduction in each service area. This means if recycling and compost increase, garbage percentage decreases.

• Only residential waste will be calculated.

• We have requested data from WM comparing routes within our service area to see which have the most potential for improvement.

• Every community group can help by getting the word out to their members along with supporting info about “what goes where.”

• If Tuesday North is the winner, we participating Ballard community groups will determine what neighborhood project to fund.

• We will have approximately one year to identify and create a detailed project plan.

“As you can see, Wednesday North includes Crown Hill,” Heins writes. “I understand that there may be some concern about Crown Hill being divided off from Ballard. If we win, we can certainly decide to include Crown Hill in the planning committee for choosing a project and perhaps look for something that benefits both communities.”

At this Wednesday’s Ballard District Council meeting, Waste Management will give an update on how Ballard did last month and Heins will give more information on the challenge.