Couldn't make it to SWANA's 2006 CEM E-Conference? Pick up your CD ROM of the proceedings! Topics and tracks included are as follows.
Innovative School Outreach
Bringing Environmental Education to Local School Districts
Heather Merchant, Environmental Education & Community Outreach Supervisor
City of Plano, Texas Environmental Waste Services Division
Working with local school districts to integrate waste reduction and environmental education programs into existing curriculum is one of the most challenging initiatives facing waste industry educators. With increasing pressure on meeting state and national test standards, many school districts have adopted very structured or uniform curriculums to accomplish their goals, leaving little room to interject other educational programs. The City of Plano is making an impact with an interactive curriculum that emphasizes science, and by networking with PTAs.
Forming Strong Partnerships with Schools
Glenna Brown, Recycling Education Coordinator
City of Plano, Texas Environmental Waste Services Division
A strong partnership has been forged between the City of Plano Environmental Waste Services Division and the Plano Independent School District utilizing residential recycling incentive programs and organics recycling. Find out how you can adapt these programs for your area.
Convincing Kids Not to Throw It All Away
Becky Haltermon, Litter Abatement/Solid Waste Education Coordinator
Boone County, Kentucky Division of Solid Waste Management
Using simple and cost-effective contests and giveaways, Boone County has captured the attention of an elusive target audience. While younger children typically embrace solid waste education programs, teens are most likely to litter (and they are the hardest demographic to reach). The presentation will include results from a unique pilot project Boone County recently launched.
Creating Successful Public Education Programs
Increasing Recycling Through Public Education Programs
Brett Stav, Senior Planning and Development Specialist
Seattle Public Utilities, WA
Following an eight-year decline in recycling, the City of Seattle passed an ordinance in 2003 that prohibits recyclables from commercial and residential garbage. Seattle launched a two-year education campaign before formally enforcing the ordinance on January 1st, 2006. SPU asked “Why Waste a Good Thing?” in their public education campaign, and created an online Recycling IQ game. Awareness of the recycling ordinance increased by 50% and overall support of Seattle's recycling regulations grew to 82%.
Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Public Participation
Jay Kassirer, Executive Director
Tools of Change Institute (Ottawa, Canada)
Learn how to identify the key barriers that could otherwise discourage your target audience from making the changes you need, as well as the motivators that you can use to engage their interest. Examples from the solid waste industry will illustrate strategies you can incorporate at your company or agency.
Strengthening Public Relations
The Importance of Community Relations in the Solid Waste Industry
Will Flower, Vice President of Communications
Republic Services, Inc.
Community relations plays a critical role in the successful operation of solid waste facilities (e.g. transfer stations, recycling centers, C & D sites and landfills). This presentation explores the definition of community relations, explains the basic concepts of community outreach and understanding, and explains why community relations are needed in today’s environment. You will learn how to build your own community relations program, including tips for addressing common communication challenges.
Keeping the Stakeholders in Mind while Balancing Limited Resources
Sarah Rasmussen, Public Affairs Manager
Metro Waste Authority, Des Moines, IA
Too many times, the important concept of stakeholder relations is overlooked. What is a stakeholder? A stakeholder is any person or group that can hinder, harm or help you or your organization. This can cast a pretty wide net, but it can also help in prioritizing projects, evaluations, and in planning. In our work as educators, marketers, public affairs, or public relations, it pays to consider all the parties that we could partner with, offend, or involve – and we need to consider them early in our planning.
