Progress 06/01/24 to 05/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this program is Plano residents, whether residing in a single-family home or a multifamily living complex. The more specific target audience group includes older teenagers and adults. The purpose of targeting older teenagers and adults is to reach the individuals most likely to be shopping and preparing food. Changes/Problems:A major operational change during the reporting period was the unexpected closure of the City's original contracted compost collection vendor. This disruption could have created a significant gap in services. In response, the City quickly identified and selected a new vendor, resulting in no interruption of services. The program has experienced meaningful growth, and we are encouraged by the increasing participation. While we are pleased with the progress to date, we have not yet reached our overall membership goal. Continued growth remains a priority as we work toward achieving that target. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Food Scrap Program has provided multiple opportunities for training and professional development, particularly for the City's full-time employees involved in the program. Most notably, the program coordinator has been actively supported in their growth through several opportunities that includes presenting on the food scrap program at the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Annual Educational Conference in July 2025. This engagement will provide an opportunity to share the program's design, outcomes, and community impact with an audience of environmental health professionals, expanding both the program coordinators' professional network and the City's leadership profile in sustainable waste management. In December 2024, the program was featured in a national CBS video documentary. This media opportunity not only raised public awareness but also provided the sustainability manager with a platform to speak about the program, contributing to their professional experience in public engagement and program representation. Locally, the sustainability team led an educational initiative during the City's all-staff holiday meal, providing on-site composting and education. The event included numerous one-on-one educational conversations, enhancing internal awareness and fostering professional development across the team through practical experience in public education and community engagement. Collectively, these opportunities have strengthened the capacity and expertise of the City staff involved in the Residential Food Scrap Program, contributing to both individual professional growth and the long-term success of the initiative. Compost education and training can be found on the City's webpage in the form of an e-learning module. This module is intended to support a comprehensive understanding of composting. The program also supports resident training through membership newsletters. These virtual newsletters highlight compost best practices, program information, and data. The newsletters are distributed to all members. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The program results have been shared through the community in a variety of channels, aiming to reach all Plano residents. There have been several updates and advertisements shared via our social media platform, features in local outreach measures like an all-resident billing system and a Parks and Recreation catalog. We also continue to share program efforts and updates in a seasonal newsletter shared with all members. Additionally, program metrics are accessible to the community through the public diversion dashboard. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In partnership with a third-party vendor, the City is in the process of producing two educational videos and an e-learning module. These digital resources are designed to inform residents about the broader national challenges of food waste and food insecurity, while highlighting the Residential Food Scrap Program as a practical, local solution. These online materials will serve as accessible tools for community engagement, enabling the City to share program outcomes, promote participation, and broaden awareness across diverse audiences. A primary objective is to analyze registration rates by ZIP code to assess geographic trends, identify underserved areas, and inform targeted outreach strategies that support equitable program access across all neighborhoods. Growing program membership is a primary goal, and to complete this, marketing and outreach efforts will be expanded to increase overall exposure to the program, with a particular emphasis on engaging teenagers and adults. This includes the development and promotion of tailored advertisements and educational campaigns that speak to these demographics. The City will also intensify efforts to market the new video content, leveraging these resources to raise awareness and demonstrate the value of the program in an engaging and accessible format. In addition, staff will explore new marketing avenues and community engagement strategies to reach residents who may not yet be aware of the program. These efforts aim to enhance public education, drive new registrations, and ultimately increase food waste diversion rates. Quantitative data collection will continue to be a priority, enabling the City to evaluate program effectiveness, measure progress, and support data-informed decision-making for future program development.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the reporting period, the Residential Food Scrap Program experienced measurable growth in both membership and community recognition. On average, 5,820 pounds of food scraps were diverted each month, reflecting the expanding participation of residential households and the program's overall effectiveness. Newly enrolled residents receive comprehensive support, including all necessary materials and educational resources to begin diverting food scraps. Upon registration, each participant is personally contacted by the program coordinator, who remains available for ongoing support and to address any questions or concerns. This individualized engagement, combined with the program's focus on equitable access, enhances both the accessibility of the program and the quality of the learning experience for participants. To support future analysis of program, reach, and equity, participant ZIP code data is collected at the time of registration. This will allow for a demographic analysis in the upcoming reporting year. Membership retention remains high, with less than 2% of known participants choosing to opt out after joining. Over the reporting period, program membership increased by 14.3%. The program has also increased public awareness and community acceptance of food waste diversion. In addition to the ongoing distribution of promotional materials, the program received national exposure through a PBS video documentary, which aired in December 2024. All new members are added to an internal database, which tracks enrollment by date and ZIP code. This data will be fully analyzed in the next reporting cycle to assess patterns in growth and participation. Monthly reporting continues to provide location-specific insights, allowing both City staff and members to evaluate performance across the eight participating locations as well as the program overall. Reports are made publicly accessible through an online diversion dashboard, which is advertised to all members. This tool not only promotes transparency but also enables participants to track their individual contributions to food waste diversion efforts . The Residential Food Scrap Program continues to support inclusive and sustainable community norms by ensuring participation is open to all Plano residents, regardless of housing type or location. The City remains committed to equity by continuing a program that removes barriers to entry and encourages broad community engagement.
Publications
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