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2.3 Topic j: Public education

Europeans attach a high priority to good public education materials. Many solid waste agencies, especially those with source separation components, have a staff person assigned at least part-time, and, depending on the size and complexity of the jurisdiction, often full-time, to coordinate education materials.

Calendars, newsletters and flyers are the prime modes of communicating with the public, although television and radio advertising are not unknown. Clever public education campaigns often center around a public figure, as was the case when Amsterdam was introducing separate organics collection, and the former mayor, a controversial but popular character, was assigned the job of promoting the new system on television and in advertisements.

A typical European public education strategy is to publicize special collections (for example, clothing collections or visits of the chemocar) by putting a flier in the mail slots of all residents in the service area in the week preceding the collection. The frequently high density of housing makes the use of door-to-door distributors for these fliers practical and cost-effective.

When new systems are being considered, tested, and evaluated, there is extensive use of public opinion surveys, focus groups, and polling to gauge public acceptance. Surveys are also typical of early implementation, when public acceptance of new systems is evaluated. While such public participation in decision making may not be required in European countries, public input into decision making is far more institutionalized and far less combative than in North America.

The process of integration in Europe creates a number of channels for sharing of information and techniques of public education. Many EU member countries have an EU liaison office that collects and makes available materials used in other EU countries, particularly when those materials have been developed with EU financial assistance.

Table of Contents

• Brochure
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• International Year of Forests
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• World Environment Day
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• UNEP Campaign
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