Garbage in DC’s waterways is a problem that has long challenged city officials. According to the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), 200,000-plus pounds of domestic trash like plastic bags and food service items invade the Anacostia River annually from DC storm drains. The majority of this refuse is subject to regulations, including a 2009 bag law requiring businesses to charge 5 cents per bag and a 2016 ban on Styrofoam for food and beverage vendors.
To complement these regulations, the DC community has launched educational based methods and financial incentives aimed at inspiring the community to take part. Efforts like the DOEE’s RiverSmart programs worked to decrease stormwater runoff and the trash it carries by offering financial incentives to help DC property owners install voluntary green infrastructure. These community engagement methods included rain barrels, green roofs, rain gardens and other measures that are now focal points in the fight against trash in DC waterways.
At the dawn of a new decade, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to continue to clean up DC waterways. For over 30 years, NEEF has been a leader in lifelong environmental learning. NEEF creates opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet. NEEF was joined in its efforts by the Mayor’s Office of Clean City DC, Office of the Mayor of DC, and the DC Department of Public Works.
“I’ve worked with WTW for some time and have always been pleased with the superior service, excellent design, pricing, and delivery time. I can always count on Ken to make magic!”
Amy Skalmusky, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for NEEF, contacted frequent collaborator, WTW Design Group, to develop an informational sticker for DC residents. The sticker, intended to be placed on trash can lids, would be a reminder of how to best keep garbage in cans and out of waterways. Skalmusky placed the project concept in WTW’s capable hands, stating that, “I’ve worked with WTW for some time and have always been pleased with the superior service, excellent design, pricing, and delivery time. I can always count on Ken to make magic!” WTW brought a collaborative approach to help guide the project committee through the design process and deliver an eye-catching concept with just the right mix of words, images, and graphics to stand out and get noticed—not just on trash day, but every day.
Trashcan sticker front.
Trashcan sticker back.
WTW was uniquely qualified to not only adapt the sticker design to a variety of changes during the process, but also created an inexpensive explanation card as part of the project to distribute the stickers as “leave-behinds” for residents not at home. WTW managed every detail of production and delivered on time and within budget.
Sticker leave-behind card employed inexpensive die-cut slits to hold sticker in place.
The problem of trash in DC waterways may require many different approaches over time. A skilled and committed team continues to bring forth innovative ways to face this problem head on, and the WTW Design Group is proud to be asked to do their part to support these efforts.