Reducing waste, increasing recycling and composting, and fostering stewardship of the earth through responsible solid waste management are the goals of the Outreach and Education Program.

Take Another Look (TAL) is an incentive program to encourage increased recycling and waste reduction, with a focus on proper preparation of curbside recyclable materials. The program has been implemented in Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, South Lyon, Walled Lake, and Wixom.

The TAL crew ventures into the neighborhoods once a month in search of the coveted properly prepared recycling bin. This is no easy task, as they often find common mistakes such as: caps on plastic bottles, plastic tubs, plastic bags, frozen food boxes, garbage and other no-nos in the recycling bin. Do you make these common mistakes? Bins that have mistakes in them are left with a card explaining how it can be improved along with a copy of the curbside guidelines. However...if the bin is done well, the homeowner will win $50.

Winners will receive a letter from RRRASOC in the mail letting them know that they won the $50 TAL prize. Often, people think it is a scam, or there is a catch. We promise, there is no catch. TAL is a community outreach program intended to encourage and educate residents about proper recycling.

We apologize to those of you who like the tuxedo, but we felt that is was too itchy and just not proper attire for digging in recycling bins in the rain/heat/snow..etc. We considered changing the uniform to Tyvek jumpsuits, but received negative feedback, as residents were afraid we were handling hazardous waste. We now sport the more appropriate look of polo shirts, RRRASOC hoodies and jeans.