Raising the Bar was the brainstorm of a University of Miami medical student, who is passionate about recycling. The initiative was originally launched through a small pilot project, which was phenomenally successful. ECOMB has now formally launched the program and is offering local establishments a chance to participate. The main goal of the Raising the Bar project is to increase bar, restaurant a
nd nightclub recycling rates in the cities of Miami Beach and Miami by educating venues' owners and managers of the environmental, legal, and financial benefits of recycling. For example, the pick up of recyclables is cheaper than that of regular waste. The state law, in fact, requires that the costs associated with the disposal of recyclables be cheaper than that of waste (is this true? There is also a 20% franchise fee attached to regular waste pick up that is not added to the pick up of recyclables. Another important fact is the 1992 Miami-Dade County ordinance that requires all commercial & multifamily establishments to provide means for their clients / tenants to recycle. Additionally, in June of 2012, the city of Miami Beach adopted a similar ordinance, with a new and strict enforcement component, mandating commercial and residential recycling. The Raising the Bar project addresses all the issues mentioned above. Participating establishments receive a free waste assessment provided both by ECOMB and one of our recycling program partners: Waste Management, Choice Environmental and Waste Services Inc. In addition ECOMB provides an on-site orientation for establishment staff and assists in the program's implementation. Venues are then promoted on our RTB website where visitors can see how much they have been recycling based on the amount of bins picked up per month as well as the dollar amount they have saved since implementing recycling (Coming Soon). These forms of promotion will give people the opportunity to choose to drink, eat and socialize at places that are environmentally friendly. Overall Expected Outcomes
Recycling Program Permanence: It is expected, by the end of 12 months from the onset of the project, that most bars and restaurants that have joined the Raising The Bar program will have established a permanent recycling program. Recycling Rates: It is expected, by the end of 12 months from the onset of the project, that recycling rates for the commercial establishments participating in the Raising the Bar program will have increased. Goal or Objective 1
• Goal: To increase bar and restaurant recycling rates in the City of Miami Beach / City of Miami
• Objective: By the end of the 12 months of the onset of the project, at least 70% of the 50 bars and restaurants that have initially joined the Raising The Bar program will have continued its recycling program. Goal or Objective 2
• Goal: To increase awareness of bar and restaurant owners/managers of the financial benefits of recycling
• Objective: By the end of the 12 months of the onset of the project, at least 90% of the bars and restaurants that have continued their participation on the Raising The Bar program will have saved at least 20% of their overall waste/recycling bill. Metrics for Goal or Objective 1
Number of bars and/or restaurants that will have joined the program by the end of 12 months
Metrics for Goal or Objective 2
Dollar amount saved by bars and/or restaurants that will have joined the program by the end of 12 months
Project/Program Monitoring
Strategy I: Establishment of a Venue Contractual Agreement with Recycling Hauler
• Action: Request copy of recycling contract from each participating venue.
• Frequency: Once
• Timing: 30 to 60 days after delivery of first recycling bins. Strategy II:
Assessment of Recycling Bins' Number and Pick-up Frequency
• Action: Carry out visits to venue to determine if number of recycling containers and frequency of containers picked up is adequate to the volume of recyclables being produced by venue.
• Frequency: Twice in the first month & once in the second month.
• Timing: 15, 30 and 60 days after delivery of first recycling bins. Strategy III:
Evaluation of Recycling Program's Effectiveness and Challenges
• Action: Telephone check-ups with venue manager/owner to determine project effectiveness & challenges using a simple questionnaire
• Frequency: Once per quarter
• Timing: Every 120 days after delivery of first recycling bins. Evaluation Methodology
Program success and evaluation will be measured through the recyclables diversion rates from each venue by:
• Determining the number, volume and frequency of recycling containers monthly pick-ups stated on their Final Waste Bill
• Comparing Final Waste Bill to Initial Waste Bill
Measurement and Evaluation of Individual Goals & Objectives
Goal & Objective 1:
• Determining the % of venues' participation on the program through their Recycling Contracts 12 months after the onset of the program
Goal & Objective 2:
• Determining the amount of money saved by each venue by comparing their Initial Waste Bill with their Final Waste Bill.
