2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 62

Steve Brachman, Waste Reduction & Management Specialist, University of Wisconsin -Extension Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center, 161 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 6000, Milwaukee, WI 53203; 414.227.3160; brachman@uwm.edu

The purpose of this project was to reduce the amount of solid waste generated by residents, businesses, and institutions through a regionally coordinated waste reduction campaign which would utilize a combination of mass media and targeted audience education to more effectively reach the public. This strategy combined the expertise and resources of local communities, state agencies, non-profit organizations, business groups, and environmental organizations (now called the Southeast Wisconsin Waste Reduction Coalition) to promote waste reduction. Since waste reduction is a more difficult concept for the public to grasp than recycling, an education campaign was needed that would address the topic through a variety of media to a mixture of audiences.

Consultants were hired to assist with project management, media approaches, education and outreach, and evaluation. Outreach methods included the development of a logo and program identity (Besmart - Save Money and Reduce Trash); radio, TV, and newspaper advertising; web site and phone hotline; a youth waste reduction scholarship program; and targeted outreach to special groups, including festival operators, groceries, hardware stores, etc.

Measurement of the impact of this type of program is difficult. Municipal solid waste tonnages can be tracked; however, there are many variables such as increase or decrease of population or number of businesses and changes in packaging, which affect the weight of waste, number and size of newspapers subscribed to in the area, etc. While a coalition is the most effective way to approach a project of this type on a regional scale, it is also difficult to manage. The need for a consultant to help manage the projects as well as develop media approaches became evident. As the Coalition?s credibility grew so did its responsibilities to retain as well as expand the number of business partners and to carry out the many worthwhile projects planned. The Coalition recruited additional partners, leveraged the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and municipal dollars invested by soliciting over $293,000 in business in-kind and scholarship donations to promote waste reduction, expanded education of area youth through a high school scholarship program, and published the Green Pages, a special Earth Day insert, in cooperation with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In addition, the Besmart project developed and distributed the festivals toolkit, ?CASH NOT TRASH,? and promoted waste reduction at special events such as Irish Fest, State Fair, county fairs, and children?s museums, as well as developed additional municipal textile recycling drop off sites and coordinated compost bin distribution in the metro Milwaukee area.