Press Release: Recycle Right North Country

EPSOM, NH: NH Recycles has announced the public launch of its “Recycle Right North Country” campaign, a comprehensive initiative designed to improve recycling rates, increase recycling participation, and reduce recycling contamination in 30 North Country communities. This highly anticipated program, funded by a competitive Recycling Education and Outreach grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), underscores NH Recycles' commitment to demonstrating the powerful impact of consistent and ongoing recycling education.

Research clearly highlights education as the most effective tool for enhancing municipal recycling programs. Building on this principle, the Recycle Right North Country campaign will proactively measure the tangible effects of recycling education on behavior, a first-of-its-kind endeavor in New Hampshire. Baseline data on recycling rates, participation, and contamination was collected in April, providing a critical benchmark for evaluating the campaign’s success.

“We're incredibly excited to launch the Recycle Right North Country campaign and collaborate with North Country communities to expand critical recycling education efforts,” said NH Recycles Executive Director, Reagan Bissonnette. “This initiative will not only benefit the North Country directly through improved recycling and reduced waste, but it will also provide invaluable insights that we can apply to all New Hampshire municipalities, strengthening recycling efforts across the state.”

The campaign, representing an investment of over $400,000 in technical assistance and education, including stipends and outreach materials, is free of charge for participating North Country municipalities, operators, and residents. It officially began with NH Recycles' annual Recycling Conference & Expo on May 19th and 20th in Concord, NH, which drew over 300 attendees, speakers, and exhibitors.

The Recycle Right North Country campaign is structured around four key objectives:

Resident Outreach: This objective focuses on directly engaging residents and visitors through diverse channels, including direct mailings, print articles, social media posts, and radio PSAs. To enhance transparency and build trust, NH Recycles will release three videos following the journey of a recyclable from collection to processing. Additionally, new signage will be implemented at North Country transfer stations to clarify acceptable recyclable materials.

Train the Trainers: This dynamic program empowers solid waste operators with the knowledge and tools to become recycling educators in their communities. It included free attendance at the Recycling Conference with stipends for registration, travel, and hotel; a series of in-person Recycle Right Roundtables offering continuing education hours required by the NH Department of Environmental Services, and two bus tours of recycling infrastructure in the late summer and fall of 2025. Operators will also have the option to receive personalized Environmental Impact Reports and town-specific Full Cost Accounting models to illustrate the economic and environmental benefits of recycling to local decision-makers and residents.

In-Person Education: Bringing recycling education directly to residents, this objective includes door-to-door outreach, with many residents receiving small recycling totes to facilitate multi-unit recycling. For the first time, NH Recycles will offer in-person Recycling 101 presentations to any North Country group of 15 or more - from libraries and conservation commissions, to select board meetings and book clubs! NH Recycles will also conduct “Recycle Right Rewards” pop-ups at select recycling centers, surprising residents and visitors who are "caught" recycling right.

Recycle Right Summit: The campaign will culminate in a one-day Recycle Right Summit in the North Country. This mini-Recycling Conference will bring together residents and solid waste operators for workshops, including Recycling 101, an “Ask Me Anything (AMA) About Recycling” session, a presentation on how Full Cost Accounting can benefit towns, and a Solid Waste Operator Roundtable. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore campaign materials and watch community-specific recycling videos.

Following the campaign’s completion, a second round of data will be collected to measure the impact of these educational efforts. A final report, detailing highlights, challenges, and next steps, will be shared with all participating towns and publicly released.