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Waste reduction hinges on the participation and support of employees, managers, and
customers. It involves rethinking the way we do things and changing old habits. This is
not easy, but rewards abound as resources and money are saved. Below is advice from
experts who have first-hand experience motivating people.
Changing old habits and forming new ones is an ongoing process that begins with
exposure to, and assimilation of pertinent information. An individual uses information to
create a perception of the relative costs and benefits of adopting a new behavior. If a
new practice isn't reinforced by an ongoing perception that benefits outweigh costs, the
change will likely be temporary.
It takes, time, patience, and persistence. Here are some ideas that have been used in
other businesses to educate and motivate employees to reduce waste.
Creative Images
In our information age where we are bombarded with all
kinds of information, it is important to make your message stand out. The
right visual impressions can actually be stronger than words.
- Use a catchy logo and
slogan for your program.
- Create pictures and
graphics to jazz up written materials, recycling containers, and coffee
mugs.
- Show people how much
waste they generate using photos, videos, displays, clip art,
or posters.
- Present a short video
to employees.
- Use clip art or
posters
Motivating Messages
Facts should be put in terms people can relate to and the message should be easy to
understand. A startling fact can help motivate a person to seek change.
- Explain why it is important to stop wasting resources. Where possible, present benefits
in terms of cost savings, resources saved, customer satisfaction, corporate and personal
responsibility towards future generations.
- Present information so it stands out; avoid being redundant or boring.
- Use startling facts.
- Personalize information and relate it to what a person already knows.
- Don't assume employees and managers are very familiar with key waste reduction words or
concepts.
- Avoid giving too much information at once; give information in manageable pieces.
Person-to-Person Communication
In addition to distributing or posting written educational materials, where feasible,
present information person-to-person. It is more influential than written materials alone.
- Seek volunteers in each work area who are willing to be trained as "waste reduction
pros." The pros provide a friendly and knowledgeable source of information throughout
the organization. And they can provide feedback on how you are doing.
- Train new employees. Let them know they are expected to use resources carefully and
fully participate in waste reduction programs. Explain how to prevent waste and recycle
materials.
- Use all-employee gatherings to promote waste reduction. Show what is being done well and
what areas need improvement.
Incentives
There are lots of great ways to motivate employees. Here are just a few:
- Graph progress and show people how they are doing by division, floor or other unit.
- Create a contest and award prizes or trophies (reused, of course).
- Financially reward employees for ideas that generate significant cost savings and waste
reduction.
- Offer discounts to employees who purchase coffee using their own washable mug.
- Recognize employee's waste reduction efforts in front of others.
Involve Employees
Employees best know how operations work and are critical to the success of any program.
- Solicit ideas from employees involve them so they have ownership in the program.
- Let employees be part of the decision-making process; invite employees to participate in
a waste reduction team that is responsible for implementing waste reduction practices.
- Ask employees to make a waste reduction pledge.
Set a Good Example
To help make new practices mainstream be sure to practice what you preach.
- If using promotional giveaways or prizes, make sure they exemplify waste reduction
(e.g., a coffee mug with your program's slogan, a refillable pen made from recycled
plastic). Don't give away premiums or materials that will end up in the trash.
- Distribute information in the least wasteful way. Send messages electronically, if that
option is available. Route messages or post them on a central bulletin board. Print or
copy using both sides of the page and format documents so there isn't excessive white
space.
- Ask employees to bring their own plate or mug to gatherings where food and beverages
will be served.
For More Help:
To order this publication
(Publication #500-94-036), or for
more Business Waste Reduction Assistance, please contact us! If you have questions,
information, ideas, educational materials, etc., please share it with us so we can share
it with others!
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