North East Regional Waste Management Group
Waste Education
Strategy 2012 - 2015
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 2
Contents
Forward .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Purpose of the waste education strategy ...................................................................................... 4
The role of the waste education strategy: ..................................................................................... 5
Defining community engagement and education in the waste space .......................................... 6
Guiding principles in NevRwaste’s program design ...................................................................... 7
Objectives of the Waste Education Strategy ................................................................................. 8
Objective 1 ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Objective 2 ................................................................................................................................... 10
Objective 3 ................................................................................................................................... 11
Objective 4 ................................................................................................................................... 12
Objective 5 ................................................................................................................................... 13
Monitoring/Evaluation and Reporting ......................................................................................... 14
Monitoring of strategic objectives ............................................................................................... 15
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 16
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 3
Forward
NevRwaste has a strong and successful history in delivering ‘community engagement’ programs and
projects which address Member’s priorities and align with the objectives of the RWMP. Defining a
waste education strategy which identifies objectives for the Region, how to plan for, best address, and
implement these objectives is integral to the future success of waste education programs and projects.
By defining the Region’s objectives in waste education, NevRwaste ensures clarity when working
towards achieving the Region’s goals in waste education whilst clearly identifying what NevRwaste is
accountable for delivering. The next three years will see NevRwaste work towards achieving more in
the areas of: waste avoidance/reduction, organic waste diversion and away from home recycling
through our community engagement and education programs and projects. Each program/project will:
align with RWMP, Business Plan, State Targets, Member’s priorities. Each program/project will ensure:
all priority areas are addressed within the program of activities, ensure consistency of message and
delivery of waste education programs within NevRwaste Region, ensure all programs are of Regional
significance and assist Members to deliver State plan (targets) at local Government level.
Community engagement and waste education programs/projects have the capacity to positively
influence community behaviours and perceptions towards waste minimization. By continued
collaboration and consultation with key stakeholders, a waste education strategy which clearly defines
the Region’s waste education objectives, NevRwaste contends that our community can, and will,
practice more efficient use of materials in their lifestyles and activities.
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 4
Purpose of the waste education strategy
The purpose of this strategy is to provide the framework for waste education in the NevRwaste’s
Region and detail the practical actions, programs and projects which will be undertaken over the next
three years (2012-2015). The education strategy is intended to be used by NevRwaste to guide future
Regional planning and explicitly align projects (existing and future) with strategic documents such as
the: Victorian Government’s Towards Zero Waste Strategy (TZW), The Regional Waste Management
Plan (RWMP), NevRwaste Business Plan (BP) as well as Members own strategic plans and directions.
The need for a Regional Waste Education Strategy has been driven by NevRwaste and its Members to
achieve consistency and clarity when engaging with and educating our various communities as well as
fulfilling our legislated role by aligning with State policies, strategies and targets.
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 5
The role of the waste education strategy:
NevRwaste’s focus in recent years has been on developing, delivering and implementing larger scale
education projects that have greater reach, address priorities and deliver significant outcomes for
multiple Members. This approach means that NevRwaste is moving away from working with
individuals and small community groups and instead is investing our limited resources into the delivery
of projects with wider audiences and reach in order to gain better outcomes and greater impacts.
The role of the waste strategy is to provide a clear strategic direction to waste education projects and
programs in order to:
Establish Regionally consistent waste messages
Target Regional problems and issues & find regional solutions which are evidence based in
targeting barriers to behavior change
Achieve ‘Bang for Buck’ thus creating efficiency: resources, reach (saturation/wider audiences),
outcomes and impacts
Provide resources: development of templates, toolkits for easy, local adaption
Provide networking opportunities to: other State agencies, local networks, funding
opportunities, local knowledge, local experts and other waste officers (eg: Technical Advisory
Committee meetings)
Provide opportunities for professional development and training
Research and profiling of specific community groups
Act as a conduit for the dissemination of information such as: case studies, research, other
project outcomes
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 6
Defining community engagement and education in the waste space
Education ultimately is a tool for change. Beyond simply a distribution of information, instruction or
knowledge, education can bring about increased: understanding, participation, awareness,
engagement and skill to elicit behavior change. Education takes many forms, including these
mechanisms:
Face to face
Print materials: signage, posters, flyers, stickers, brochures etc
Tangible infrastructure: bins, caddies, bin caps etc
Electronic sources: website/s, apps etc
Media: print/television/radio
Formal training
Informal training: workshops, tours etc
Community events, promotions, displays etc
Education as a tool for behavior change is supported and enhanced by:
Policy
Economic levies
Regulations
Enforcement
Infrastructure
Research (scientific and social)
Best practice
Incentives
Disincentives
Social norms
Networking and partnerships
Effective education needs to be supported by a range of tools and approaches, which is influenced by
the: issue, target audience and available resources.
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 7
Guiding principles in NevRwaste’s program design
All NevRwaste programs and projects will use the following principles in guiding the design,
development, implementation of projects and programs:
Ensure each program/project is aligned with Regional Waste Management Plan (RWMP),
Business Plan, State Targets and Members priorities
Ensure all priority areas (Members priorities and State priorities) are addressed within the
program of activities
Ensure consistency of message and delivery of waste programs within NevRwaste Region
Ensure all programs are of Regional significance
Ensure Members have strategic tools to deliver State plan (targets) at local Government level
Ensure programs/projects do not conflict with local and State Government programs/projects
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 8
Objectives of the Waste Education Strategy
Through the consultation process, the following objectives were identified as crucial areas NevRwaste
needs deliver in for its waste education programs and projects.
Objective 1. Deliver programs which educate and engage communities on issues of waste
avoidance and reduction
Objective 2. Develop and deliver programs which address organic waste separation
Objective 3. Develop a targeted approach to away from home recycling
Objective 4. Develop Regional programs which target Regional issues with consistent messaging
Objective 5. Provide research and best practice information to Members
The following action plan outlines the education strategy objectives determined by NevRwaste’s
Member’s priorities with corresponding actions NevRwaste will undertake over the next three years.
This is not an exclusive project list, instead the action plan focuses on the specific Business Plan (2012-
2015) priority area of ‘community engagement and education’. Similarly, each year projects are
extended and added to depending on external funds and changing priorities as identified by Members.
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 9
Objective 1
Deliver programs which educate and engage communities on issues of waste
avoidance and reduction
Strategy Project/Program Name
Specific NevRwaste Education Activities
Timing 2012- 2015
Members Involved
Link to Statewide waste avoidance program
Possibly: ‘Love Food Hate Waste’
Continue to lobby SV for Statewide waste avoidance program
Seek funding opportunities to resource such programs
TBC (forecast to begin in 2013)
All Councils and RMBs
Deliver waste avoidance messages to school communities
SEED
Participate in 4 SED days per year
Present to 16 student groups per year
Ensure reduction message is delivered at SED days
Deliver and develop curriculum resources for schools with focus on waste reduction (eg: Rubbish Free Lunch)
Ongoing 2012-2015
All Councils and RMBs
Resource Smart (RS)
Support Resource Smart AuSSI Vic program in Hume Region through becoming an active member of the Hume Consortium steering committee
Ongoing 2012- 2014
All Councils and RMBs
Support RS in the Hume by becoming a trained facilitator in the waste module
By the end of 2013
Support local schools through the waste module of RS
Ongoing
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 10
Objective 2
Develop and deliver programs which address organic waste separation
Strategy Project/Program Name
Specific NevRwaste Education Activities Timing 2012- 2015
Members Involved
Support Member Councils in future third kerbside organics bin
N/A Support Councils in setting contract specifications for organics collections
Assist in the coordination of the educational components of the third bin roll out
Collaborate with contractors, Members & project partners to ensure consistency in message
Support Councils through best practice models
Ongoing All Councils
Support a third kerbside organics (food & garden) bin for Northern Councils
3rd Bin Roll Out (Northern Councils/Hume Contract)
Assist in the coordination of the educational components of the third bin roll out
Collaborate with contractors, Members & project partners to ensure consistency in message
Assist in the integration of SVs project support
Start July 2013 - 2015
Wodonga & Indigo
Support and coordinate food recovery program at the Alpine Resorts
‘The Living Bin’
Continue to support the project by coordinating partners & assessing program
Facilitate Resort specific meetings
Evaluation of education materials and continued improvement of collaterals
Assessment of the extension into apartments
Develop apartment specific education materials
Continued support, coordination & development of promotional materials
Started 2010, ongoing to 2015
All Alpine Resorts & Alpine Shire
Support and coordinate trialing of AWTs for food waste
Alpine Onsite solutions
Coordinate trial site for AWT onsite solution
Support trial RMB with technical experts, communication, promotion and educational elements
Assist trial RMB in monitoring & evaluation
Source funding for 3 remaining sites in 2014 to implement onsite solutions
2012-2015 All Alpine Resorts & Alpine Shire
Support and coordinate programs for Councils who do not have kerbside organics systems
Compost Champions
Coordinate educational collaterals (‘Bin Kit’) for project
Run steering committee meetings
Deliver community workshops
Support promotion of project
Develop education materials
Oversee evaluation, monitoring and reporting of the project
Consider potential for roll out of program to other relevant councils
2012-2013 Benalla
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 11
Objective 3
Develop a targeted approach to away from home recycling
Strategy Project/Program Name
Specific NevRwaste Education Activities Timing 2012- 2015
Members Involved
Coordinate the roll out of further PPR systems in major public venues in the North East
PPR at Rec Reserves
Ensure project delivers consistent infrastructure & signage in line with PPR Best practice guidelines
Conduct pre and post audits of grounds and evaluate program
Coordinate & facilitate promotional, educational components of the program
Provide findings to Members in updates & final report
Started 2010 – completed 2012
All Councils (except Towong)
Continue to seek further PPR funding opportunities
N/A Source funding opportunities and prepare applications for grants on behalf of all Members
Ongoing 2012-2015
All Members and RMBs
Coordinate the roll out of further PPR systems at the Alpine Resorts in the North East
Alpine PPR Ensure project delivers consistent infrastructure & signage in line with PPR Best practice guidelines
Collate pre and post audits of Resorts and evaluate program
Coordinate & facilitate promotional, educational components of the program
Provide findings to Members in updates & final report
Start 2011- due to be completed 2012
All Alpine Resorts and Alpine Shire
Coordinate the roll out of further PPR systems in streetscapes and public places in the North East
NBN (National Bin Network)
Ensure project delivers consistent infrastructure & signage in line with PPR Best practice guidelines
Coordinate evaluation of the program Coordinate & facilitate promotional,
educational & communication components of the program
Provide findings to Members in updates & final report
Phase 1 2012-2013 Phase 2 2013-2014
All RMBs & Councils
Coordinate research into Away From Home (AFH) behavior to ensure targeted approach to AFH recycling
AFH Research(Behaviour Study)
Seek funding for research and prepare grant application
Prepare research project brief Oversee and manage research Coordinate reports Provide findings to Members in updates &
final report
TBC due to commence 2012-2013
Selected Councils & RMBs Selected peak tourism areas
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 12
Objective 4
Develop Regional programs which target Regional issues with consistent
messaging
Strategy Project/Program Name
Specific NevRwaste Education Activities Timing 2012- 2015
Members Involved
Integrate consistent waste education messages into all NevRwaste programs/projects
All Develop consistent communication plans for all programs/projects
Ensure all programs/projects have consistent & concise waste education messages
Evaluate & monitor effectiveness of messaging & communication tools
Ongoing All
Ensure Member’s priority areas are addressed within the program of activities
N/A
Consultation with Members through regular TAC meetings, email correspondence and review annually with each Member priority areas
Annual collation of (Members and Business Plan) priority areas
Annual review of programs against priority areas
NevRwaste to consult & meet with external partners (SV/PSF etc) as relevant
Ongoing 2012-2015 (Will occur annually to coincide with the annual reporting and Business Planning cycle)
All Members and RMBs
Ensure consistency of message and delivery of waste programs within NevRwaste Region
Regional Householder Education campaign
Develop Regional program and education materials to be adapted for Region’s Councils
Collaborate with various partners and Members to source funding, materials and roll out
Complete Regional roll out of educational materials
Evaluate and present final report
Began 2010 – due to finish 2012
All Councils
Ensure consistency of message and delivery of waste programs within NevRwaste Region
Get It Right On Bin Night
Coordinate Regional roll out of the Statewide program
Cost delivery package for educational/mass media components of project
Collaboration with Members re: roll out of media
Deliver program across Region
Due to commence 2013, likely to run until 2015
All Councils
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 13
Objective 5
Provide research and best practice information to Members
Strategy Project/Program Name
Specific NevRwaste Education Activities
Timing 2012- 2015
Members Involved
Ensure Members have the strategic tools and information to deliver State and Local targets
N/A
Consult with Members regularly to determine what tools are needed to enable & increase their ability to meet State and local waste targets
Assist Members to develop own waste strategies/plans
Develop tools such as templates, guides and toolkits to enable Members to ensure own programs are in line to deliver State & Regional targets
Ongoing 2012-2015
All Members & RMBs
Dissemination of best practice guides, research, toolkits
N/A Disseminate research and best practice guides, research & toolkits
Identify and seek funding & training opportunities for Members
Ongoing 2012-2015
All Members & RMBs
Conduct research/trials on behalf of Members
360L Bin Trial Kerbside bin audits
Develop communication package around introduction of new infrastructure to trial participants
Pre & post audits to measure recycling, waste & contamination rates
Design, conduct and collate community surveys
Coordinate a combined household audit
Report results to inform the planning of future progr1am/projects
2012-2014 2012-13
Wangaratta TBC
Regular communication with Members
N/A Updates provided at TAC meeting
Updates provided at Board meeting
Regular updates through: website, newsletter & email
Regular consultation with Members & collation of priority areas
Ongoing 2012-2015
All Members & RMBs
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 14
Monitoring/Evaluation & Reporting
Monitoring and evaluation is essential for assessing the success of NevRwaste projects and programs
and is built into all NevRwaste’s program and project planning.
NevRwaste will continue to:
Identify deliverables and outcomes for each project
Monitor progress on targets and outcomes by gathering data in a variety of forms: qualitative,
quantitative, budget expenditure and achievements within set timelines
Collate regular reports (including external reporting such as Milestone reports) to assist with
project monitoring and evaluation
Complete progress reports and project updates presented to TAC and the Board
Review reports to evaluate the project’s success and identify necessary actions for future
planning
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 15
Monitoring of strategic objectives
The monitoring of how NevRwaste is tracking in accordance with its overall waste education strategic
objectives is imperative to success. Ensuring the programs and projects NevRwaste is planning for and
implementing are meeting the strategic objectives needs to be evaluated on an annual cycle. All waste
education programs/projects will be evaluated and this will be reported back to the TAC and Board on
an annual basis to guarantee NevRwaste is on track to align and meet the varying targets and priorities
it is responsible for delivering.
WASTE EDUCATION STRATEGY | PAGE 16
Conclusion
Education and engagement programs and projects have the capacity to influence community
behaviours and perceptions towards waste. By involving key stakeholders, NevRwaste contends that
our community can, and will, practice more efficient use of materials in their lifestyles and activities.
NevRwaste, in conjunction with its Members will continue to utilize existing resources to strengthen
partnerships and build new networks with various sectors of our community to achieve: reduction in
household waste generation, householders using kerbside and drop off systems properly and improved
away from home recycling and reduction in litter.