Today's Topics:
composting box board
Continuing Dialog Re: How to Spread Zero Waste Message: v. 97 #188
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Date: Fri, 08 Aug 1997 15:48:40 -0700
From: Melissa Arndt <arndt_m@sws.ci.austin.tx.us>
Subject: composting box board
the city of austin is looking at starting a "pilot" collection program
whereby residential customers will be able to set out box board material
(cereal boxes,shoes boxes) with yard trimmings.
the yard trimmings and box board material will get composted together.
currently residential customers are offered weekly yard trimmings pick
up.
box board is not accepted in the current curbside recycling program due
to weak market conditions.
does anyone have information on other cities that are currently doing
this? any cities that have tried something similar?
thanks,
melissa arndt
city of austin
solid waste services
(512) 499-1973
arndt_M@sws.ci.austin.tx.us
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Date: Fri, 08 Aug 1997 17:14:00 -0700
From: helens@axionet.com (Helen Spiegelman)
Subject: Continuing Dialog Re: How to Spread Zero Waste Message: v. 97 #188
Wrenched guts or reasoned arguments? It depends.
Rather than speculate about a single approach (or even a Mutt & Jeff
approach as suggested by Peter), the best trick that zerowasters can learn
from advertisers is to shift the focus from the product (our social change
message) to the consumer.
Advertising succeeds because of "segmentation" of the market. Advertisers
get to know how different classes of consumers think and feel, using market
research. Then they structure their sales pitch to suit what they find out
about the consumer's needs and desires. Not only the pitch, but the product
itself, is shaped and refined to suit the demonstrated desires of the market.
Environmentalists selling social change might be more effective, as
advertisers are, by listening to people, rather than talking to them! Find
out what is on people's minds, then show them how it relates to zerowaste. A
good example: we have had an easy time in Canada "selling" product
stewardship to a tax-weary public. "Why should the taxpayer have to clean up
after disposable products and packaging?" is an irresistable sales pitch!
Practitioners of "social marketing" are very popular at recycling
conferences in Canada, providing basic training in the marketing concept to
help recycling coordinators pitch their programs to consumers.
On the dark side: the irony inherent in the concept of mass-marketing social
change should not be lost on us, and should perhaps even be a warning. What
do you think?
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End of GreenYes Digest V97 #192 ******************************