New study says there´s no typical ´green consumer´

Just came across this article in Waste & Recycling News describing a study that the Shelton Group of Knoxville, TN conducted recently. You can read the article here, but basically they found after surveying more than 1,000 people that there is NO typical green consumer.

Their findings are interesting yet not altogether surprising. CVP has found time and again through our work with communities that there is no "magic bullet" formula or message that will motivate people to recycle or become environmentalists.  

However, there are methods for communicating that will increase the chances that your message will be heard and acted upon. Here are some of our learnings:

• - Communications must be ongoing and consistent.
• - Participation must be promoted.
• - “Get a bin” messaging is the most effective.
• - Touch on “the basics” such as how, when and where to recycle.
• - Show the impact of recycling using local factoids.
• - Visually get away from the expected.
• - Go outside of your comfort zone.
• - Jargon is boring. Avoid it.
• - The status quo is not enough.
• - Web sites are often the most overlooked, underutilized marketing tool.
  
  And a new one to consider:
  
  - Use social media outlets like Facebook and a blog to communicate to an increasingly web saavy auduence.
  
  Have any advice to share to break through the clutter and reach residents? Comment below or e-mail us at info@recyclecurbside.org!

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Social media presentation worth checking out

Our next issue of Bin Buzz will be coming out in September and will feature a special section dedicated to all things social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) In preparation for that, we'd like to share this presentation we came across that gives some good insight into social media. Enjoy!

Social Media Overload - Making Sense of it All!

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Advice for using social media to your advantage

Just read this article in the New York Times that may be helpful to those just starting their social media journey.

The article focuses on helping small business owners manage their online presense through social media, but provides some great tips that I think recycling coordinators can apply.

Here's a brief snippet:

...managing your online reputation requires a whole new skill set, including monitoring the online conversation and engaging with customers and the tech-savvy to promote yourself in the best channels.

Read more here.

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