Recycling Journey Residential Recycling Campaign RFP

Location:	Ohio
Posted:	Jun 4, 2026
Due:	Jun 22, 2026
Agency:	Hamilton County Resource
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	G - Social Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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2026

Hamilton County ReSource

Request for Proposal (RFP)

"Recycling Journey" Residential Campaign

Request for Proposal

Project:

A Recycling Journey Residential Recycling Campaign

Period of

Performance: The Consultant’s services shall commence July of 2026 through December of 2026.

Type of

Contract:

Contract will be developed between Hamilton County ReSource and the approved contractor.

Organization: Hamilton County ReSource

1701 Patricia McCollum Way, 4th Floor

Cincinnati, Ohio 45237

Contact:

Elise Erhart

Email: Elise.Erhart@hamiltoncountyohio.gov

Questions:

Questions about the request for proposal (RFP) should be directed to Elise Erhart prior to June 8, 2026

at 12 p.m. Questions and answers to all questions will be made available to interested contractors by 4

p.m. on June 11, 2026. Request to be notified of all questions and answers by emailing Elise Erhart at

Elise.Erhart@hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

Deadline:

Written proposals in accordance with this RFP are due no later than 4:00 p.m., June 22, 2026.

PURPOSE

Hamilton County Resource (County) is seeking proposals from qualified marketing contractors to design and implement

a marketing campaign promoting the Recycling Journey initiative. This campaign is part of the County’s residential

recycling education efforts and is designed to help residents better understand what happens to materials after they are

placed in their recycling bins. The campaign follows the journey of recyclables from home collection through sorting,

processing, and remanufacturing into new products.

The goal of the campaign is to increase public understanding of the recycling system, improve recycling behavior, and

encourage residents to recycle correctly. The County is particularly interested in contractors capable of managing direct

mail outreach, including design, printing, and postage services. Contractors may also propose additional marketing

services that support the campaign’s goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

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The County seeks contractors with demonstrated experience in designing and executing public education or

sustainability campaigns, particularly those involving direct mail outreach. Contractors should have proven capabilities in

creative messaging, graphic design, production, and mailing logistics, and be able to manage projects within budget and

on schedule. Experience working with local governments or community-focused campaigns is strongly preferred.

SCOPE OF WORK

Project Overview:

The Recycling Journey campaign is the County’s residential recycling education initiative, designed to help residents

understand what happens to materials after they are placed in their recycling bins. The campaign features a dedicated

website and a series of three videos that guide viewers through the complete journey of recyclables, from curbside

collection to sorting, processing, and remanufacturing. By combining engaging visuals with clear educational messaging,

the campaign aims to improve recycling knowledge, reduce contamination, and encourage greater participation in the

County’s residential recycling programs.

Campaign Goals:

• Increase awareness of how the residential recycling system works

• Improve recycling knowledge among residents

• Reduce contamination in curbside recycling programs

• Increase participation in residential recycling programs

• Direct residents to the campaign website and educational resources

Target Audience:

• Hamilton County residents

• Households with an interest in sustainability, cost savings, and food management

• Families and individuals responsible for grocery shopping and meal preparation

Scope of Services

The selected contractor will develop and execute a marketing campaign focused primarily on direct mail outreach.

Direct Mail Campaign:

Hamilton County ReSource will be responsible for:

• Identifying the communities to send the mail pieces

▪ Looking to target 10–20 communities ranging between 30,000 to 50,000 households, depending

on budget

• Graphic design of mail pieces

The contractor will be responsible for:

• Collaborating with the County on campaign strategy and messaging development

• Printing production

• Mailing list processing

• Postage and distribution

• Coordination of mailing schedule

• Tracking and reporting

The proposal should include recommendations for:

• Number of mail pieces

• Mail format (postcards, folded mailers, etc.)

• Distribution timing and frequency

• Estimated household reach within the project budget

All design, printing, and postage costs must be included in the proposal budget.

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Optional Marketing Services:

Contractors may include additional services that could strengthen the campaign impact. Examples include:

• Digital advertising

• Social media campaign development

• Short video or animation promotion

• Website promotion and integration

• Email marketing

• Public relations outreach

• Community engagement materials

• Educational graphics or infographics

These services are optional but may be included in proposals if they fit within the total project budget.

PAYMENT TERMS AND PROPOSAL

ReSource will provide payment for consulting services based on the actual time and expenses expended by contractor

personnel in performing the services. The total budget for the campaign is between $50,000 to $60,000 and is

anticipated to support outreach to approximately 10–20 communities ranging between 30,000 to 50,000 households,

depending on final campaign scope and budget allocation.

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Proposals should include the following:

Company Overview

• Firm background and relevant experience

• Team members assigned to the project

Approach & Strategy

• Proposed marketing strategy

• Direct mail recommendations

• Messaging approach

• Integration with the existing campaign website

• Tools and methods used for tracking and reporting

Relevant Experience

• Examples of similar campaigns (public sector or behavior change campaigns preferred)

• Performance outcomes or case studies

Cost Proposal

• Detailed pricing structure

References

• Provide at least two references from similar projects

PROPOSAL EVALUATION:

All proposals will be reviewed, evaluated, and rated. At any time during the review, and at any level of the review,

Hamilton County may request additional information from the vendor. Such information requests and the vendor’s

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responses must always be in writing. Information may be requested from sources other than the written proposal to

evaluate the vendor.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:

• Relevant Experience and Qualifications: The contractor’s demonstrated experience managing public

education or sustainability campaigns, particularly those focused on residential audiences, and their ability

to deliver high-quality work within similar projects.

• Creativity and Effectiveness of Proposed Approach: The originality, clarity, and potential impact of the

proposed campaign strategy, messaging, and creative concepts in engaging residents and achieving the

County’s recycling education goals.

• Experience with Direct Mail Campaigns: The contractor’s proven track record in planning, designing,

producing, and executing successful direct mail campaigns, including knowledge of production, mailing

logistics, and tracking outcomes.

• Cost Effectiveness: The degree to which the proposal maximizes the County’s $70,000 budget while

providing high-quality, impactful results, including efficient allocation of resources for design, printing,

postage, and optional marketing services.

• Ability to Meet Project Timeline: The contractor’s demonstrated capacity to deliver all project

components on schedule, including strategy development, design, production, mailing, and reporting,

ensuring the campaign launches and runs according to the proposed schedule.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Recycling Journey Residential Recycling Campaign RFP

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