A couple questions from Nebraska...
I'm working to develop an outreach/education program centered around our household hazardous waste collections. My primary goal is toxic reduction at the source in addition to providing for a safe and economically sensible method to dispose of potentially harmful/toxic/hazardous substances found in the home, garage, an cleaning closet. I'm very much interested in other programs that work to manage a community service such as a household hazardous waste collection coupled with fostering sustainable behavior. Any thoughts?
OK, for the other questions. I'm considering promoting our collections with an insert in our community's water bill. The idea is to list the collection information on one side with a commitment/challenge or prompt to use alternatives or recycling on the other. I'm also considering an attempt to use the insert as a survey tool. The insert will be on a 3 1/2'' x 8'' 80# card stock flyer. The mailing will reach 77,000 people in our community of Lincoln, Nebraska during the front half of our household hazardous waste collection season (3 events in the spring, 3 events in the fall). I'm familiar with some of the research about the effectiveness or lack of for this method but not so much in relation to fostering sustainable behavior. Does anyone know of any case studies or research that used billing inserts? Or, better yet, does anyone know of a project that's used inserts in a social marketing format? I appreciate any ideas, suggestions, or expertise from the list.
Cheers,
Dan N. King
Environmental Health Educator II
Environmental Public Health Division
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
office 441.8084
[email protected]
www.lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: household)
Publicity vs. Promoting Sustainable Behavior
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I have used municipal utility bill inserts off & on for years. The main downside was the utility bill questions coming into the Public Works Department. The utility bill clerks were given the information needed to answer questions related to the events publicized on the insert, but we couldn't really answer utility bill questions. When we did a simply reminder note on the bill itself, the downside issue was the lack of graphics. A picture is truly more attention getting and, depending on the event, can be educational. People don't always know what items are considered HHW and graphics can assist more than words. At the events themselves, we always surveyed participants to learn where they had heard of the event. Many people stated that it was through the utility bill, but we have always had a significant number vaguely state that they had read about it somewhere. Since most of our promotional materials were in some type of written format, that answer didn't help us. Of course utility bill notices have many great points: They are cheap, most of your residents actually get it, most folks usually read it because its short & fast, The reminder notes are even near the amount they are referencing when they pay the bill. You should "Go For It" I know this isn't the research-based answer you were looking for, but for what its worth, its an experienced professional's opinion.
Marta Keane,
Recycling Program Specialist
Will County Land Use - Waste Services
58 E. Clinton Street, Suite 500
Joliet, IL 60432
815-774-4343
[email protected]
We have used inserts in water bills to promote our household hazardous waste collection event, along with radio, TV and print ads. This combination seems to be effective. As far as source reduction goes, we hand out brochures to those participating in HHW days that cover less toxic alternatives, and we distribute fliers to the paint and hardware stores describing the differences between latex and oil-based paints and disposal options. We also have run source-reduction print ads throughout the year. In all of our public outreach efforts we emphasize buying the least toxic alternative, buying the minimum amount needed and reading the label to be sure it is the right product and that it is being used properly.
Good luck!
Michelle Hutchins
Missoula Valley Water Quality District
301. W. Alder, Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 258-3495