TALKING RECYCLING 5 tips for engaging the public to boost the quantity and quality of recovered materials

WE’RE THE RECYCLING PARTNERSHIP 501(c)3 organization dedicated to transforming recycling in towns all across America Our Funding Partners

FRONT LINE STAFF RESIDENTS RESIDENTS HAULER / DECISION MAKERS MRF Who Is Your Audience? RESIDENTS RESIDENTS FRONT LINE STAFF DECISION MAKERS HAULER / MRF

curbside carts (with education) TIP #1 Education + Operations = Best Results +50% +20% Education only: CVP historical data – about a 20% boost with a well done and well-funded campaign (and that could be much more short lived). Cart-based curbside programs generate almost 50% more material per hh than bin based programs – bin based programs average 271 lbs/hh/year and carts 389 lbs/hh/year. Plus, awareness/knowledge alone do not change behavior. education only curbside bins to curbside carts (with education)

Keep It Simple TIP #2 Consistent, simple messaging works best. ALUMINUM Aerosol Can Foil or Foil-like Container Other Aluminum Containers CARTONS PAPER Cold Cups Hard Cover Books Hot Cups Ice Cream Container Junk Mail Kraft Bags Magazines Newspaper OCC Office Paper Paperback Books Paperboard Boxes Pizza Boxes Shredded Paper GLASS Bottles and Jars Drinking Glass Mugs Window PLASTIC Buckets Bulky Plastic EPS Foam Flower Pots HDPE Bottles & Jars Non-bottle HDPE Containers & Lids Non-bottle PET Containers & Lids Other Containers & Packaging Other Drink Bottles Other Food Bottles & Jars Other Household Bottles & Jars Other Tubs & Lids PET Bottles & Jars PET Thermoform PP Bottles PP Containers & Lids Produce, Deli & Bakery Containers, Cups, Trays STEEL Aerosol Can Pots and Pans Scrap Metal IMAGINE A COMMON SUITE ACROSS ISLAND(S)

Keep It Simple TIP #2 Simple messaging takes work. Keep it simple so people get the bullet(s) MRF survey Boil down Keep it consistent – a common list across island Keep it really simple (one bullet) for something important

1 For Important Messages, Keep It REALLY Simple TIP #2 Keep it simple so people get the bullet(s) MRF survey Boil down Keep it really simple (one bullet) for something important Keep it consistent – a common list across island

For Critical Messages, Keep It REALLY Simple TIP #2 For Critical Messages, Keep It REALLY Simple Keep it really simple (one bullet) for something important Maybe include image of adding a material from CVWMA

Know Your Audience Where do they go for information? TIP #3 How? Ask them. Know Your Audience Where do they go for information? What material names or terms make sense to them? What do they already know, and are they right? What do they like? Know your audience Teach the children, but also everyone else (MassDEP 2015: 79% disagree that they recycle b/c their children encourage them to) Talk to them

TIP #3 Avoid assumptions. What We Know Teaching children is good, but doesn’t change recycling behavior in the home by itself 79% of people disagree that they recycle b/c their children encourage them to Teach the children, but also everyone else (MassDEP 2015: 79% disagree that they recycle b/c their children encourage them to) Remember, adults are likely doing the recycling, and ops + ed is the key

HOW DO WE CHANGE BEHAVIOR? Have a Plan TIP #4 Personal touch for behavior change (ideally with all 3-1-1) Build a culture Stay positive overall (negative for short term as needed) 11

THREE KEY ELEMENTS TO BOOST PARTICIPATION AND REDUCE CONTAMINATION 3-2-1 TIP #4 3 THREE KEY ELEMENTS TO BOOST PARTICIPATION AND REDUCE CONTAMINATION INFORM – BASIC DO’S AND DON’TS PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK ISSUE SPECIFIC COMMUNICATIONS POSTCARD/MAGNET MAILERS + MEDIA CART TAGS

2 3-2-1 TIP #4 COMPLEMENTARY RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT TOOLS GENERAL ADVERTISING STANDING RESOURCE Note that tracking is important.

Set-Out / Participation Rate 3-2-1 TIP #4 1 MEASURE EVERYTHING Disposal ✧ Recovery Set-Out / Participation Rate Contamination Rate Recovery Rate Resident Feedback

TIP #5 IT’S NEVER DONE 15

It’s Never Done TIP #5 Pro Tip: Use an editorial calendar. Never done

and positive perception BONUS TIP What We Know Convenience and positive perception must outweigh any barriers Skip if running tight

and positive perception BONUS TIP Thus We Do Convenience and positive perception must outweigh any barriers Build culture with positive feelings Save the heavy “no” for immediate problems Skip if running tight

Open Source Tools Online Field ready tools for you Open Source Tools Online

“recycling is a part of life” MoreBetter Program EMOTIVE RELATABLE “recycling is a part of life”

Carts: Grants, Assistance, Resources How-to guide and open source tools Carts: Grants, Assistance, Resources

TRY THESE TOOLS, JOIN OUR NETWORK, and let’s make recycling more & better! RECYCLINGPARTNERSHIP.ORG TOOLS Online Library Starters BMPs IDEAS Webinars Newsletters E-Books Forums RESOURCES Grants Campaigns Tech Assistance

1 5 50 COMMUNICATING THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME EXTRA BONUS TIP Bus Ad, Billboard, AWARENESS 1 RECYCLE “For more info...” Postcard, Magnet, Some Ads, IML, Oops Tag UNDERSTANDING 5 HOW TO RECYCLE MOST COMMON ITEMS Categories of 3-5 “yes”/ 3 “no” Simple Instruction, set out “For more info…” Website 50 RECYCLING FAQs Easy to find “yes” and “no” Non curbside: drop off, HHW, electronics, textiles, etc