Establishing a community hub for Fundwaste isn’t difficult. I can say this with certainty because I have been involved in establishing a few. One of the success stories I am most proud of is the partnership with a food bank in Glasgow.
We established the hub in six simple steps that took two weeks to conclude. The ease of setting up means that community members were earning from their dry recycling within the month. We learned that the hub's lack of a protracted establishment did much to keep people from running low on enthusiasm.
After the food bank signed up with us, we immediately started training their volunteers. We found training local volunteers created a positive vibe and spread a feel-good factor whilst engaging with local families. The process of receiving family recycling and having it appropriately recorded is a morale booster for the surrounding families.
In establishing the community hub, we trained volunteers to give reference numbers to families who bring their recycling. This ensures that every delivery is recorded so that the food bank can receive the funds due and the contributing family its loyalty reward points.
We provided information to volunteers who transmitted the information to the community that the only recycling eligible for the program is dry, i.e. plastic, cardboard and paper. Explaining this ensured that contributing families sorted their recycling and endeavoured to keep it clean before delivery. We also advised them to separate the different types of eligible waste they had.
Training of the volunteers, at Glasgow Food Bank, was the same as it is all other community hubs. It extends to the use of technology; we provided the requisite technology for the management of the program. The technology we offer here is the same as in every other community hub. It includes a smart sensor, weighing machine, plastic baler and a baler for cardboard and paper. Volunteers, having a thorough understanding of how to use the equipment, has a significant bearing on the entire program's success. The equipment, however, is relatively easy to use and the training doesn't take too long.
Having the waste collected and recorded correctly is a critical factor for success, and the volunteers are trained on how to log the collected waste against the contributor's reference number. To enhance transparency, we ensured that volunteers understood that every participant should be encouraged to download the Fundwaste App on their smartphone. The app is a critical part of the process as it is the means through which contributors can track how much their recycling weighed for every delivery. This digital recording means accuracy and enhances the ability to track the recycling delivered.
Up to this point, the community hub is established, and it is up and running. However, to reap maximum benefits, you need as many community members as possible to deliver their dry recycling. Volumes ensure the community centre benefits more, and the environment is cleaner.
I was able to get the word out to more people by printing and distributing flyers to inform them of the presence of the Fundwaste powered Community Hub in the locality. Another method I used was to promote the hub by posting on neighbourhood social media pages. But the best method of communication, was by talking to my neighbours and friends. I told them that their dry recycling would be respected and 100% recycled without risk of contamination. They also liked the fact that their dry recycling contribution would support the planting of trees.
As you can see, setting up a community hub is a relatively easy task since you will have the backing of Fundwaste, step by step. Good luck with setting up your local Community Hub.
