I’d treat this as a practical routine, not a one-off briefing. Start by making the local sorting rules very simple and visual: what goes in each bin, what should never go in, and what staff should do when they’re unsure. Put clear labels and photos directly on or above the urban trash cans, because people sort better when the right choice is obvious at the point of disposal.
Then train in small groups with real examples. Show a few common items, ask staff to place them in the correct bin, and explain the reason briefly. Let them practice with gloves and the same tools they’ll use on shift, including how to handle contaminated items or overflowing bins safely. Keep the language plain, and offer translated or picture-based guides if your team uses different languages.
During the first few weeks, do short spot checks and give immediate, friendly feedback. Instead of only saying “wrong bin,” point to the correct label and explain why. Praise good sorting too. Assign a team lead or sorting champion per shift to answer questions and record common mistakes.
Make sorting part of the daily routine: a quick check at shift start, a simple log of issues, and a five-minute refresher when new bins, materials, or rules are introduced. Use incentives carefully—recognition for clean bins often works better than punishment. Finally, review contamination rates monthly and adjust labels, training, or bin placement based on what staff are actually struggling with.