Secret Key to Success... Ask Someone

Another installment about Effective MCR Conversations

Master Composter Recyclers (MCRs) meet lots of friends and neighbours who want to do good things for our planet. Our conversations are important for turning good intentions into real actions.

"Research on persuasion demonstrates that the major influence upon our attitudes and behavior is not the media, but rather our contact with other people." - D. McKenzie-Mohr, 2011

I have heard many MCRs celebrate their conversations with others. "I talked about Edmonton's waste system." "I showed off my home compost bin." "We talked about the Reuse Centre." Yes, that's helpful. This raises awareness, opens their eyes, and opens their minds. People hear what happens to garbage after it leaves the curb.

Turning awareness into action: The Ask

If awareness is the first step, then the next is deciding to act.

Get a commitment. Remember to finish every conversation with an "ask."

The "ask" should be small. The "ask" should be achievable. The "ask" should be the right fit for the individual. The best "ask" is one that the person already wants to say "yes" to.

What's so special about an "ask"?

It's so simple that it's easy to overlook the hidden power in an "ask." It's really quite smart.

"Asks" help put our audience in the driver's seat. This shifts the conversation away from abstract ideas and services by the City of Edmonton. The "ask" addresses one specific thing that they can do, right now.

"Asks" also subtly invite our friend or neighbour to make a commitment. Everyone wants to do as we say. So a specific commitment is most likely to turn their words into results.

Great "asks" sound like...

• Can I count on you to leave your grass clippings on the lawn, next month?
• Can I count on you to put this "What Goes Where" poster on your fridge?
• Will you visit my yard to see how I compost?
• Will you put a box in your home to collect items for the Reuse Centre?
• Can I count on you to take your batteries and light bulbs to the Eco Station?

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Rodney became a Master Composter Recycler in 2008. He enjoys working with passionate volunteers, funny co-workers, and his adorable children. He loves long walks on the beach, fluffing his compost pile, and skiing any time of the year.
Rodney became a Master Composter Recycler in 2008. He enjoys working with passionate volunteers, funny co-workers, and his adorable children. He loves long walks on the beach, fluffing his compost pile, and skiing any time of the year.

More "Effective MCR Conversations"

Previous Give Prompts & Feedback
Next What are the Competing Behaviours?

 

* Doug McKensie-Mohr, Fostering Sustainable Behavior, 2011.

MCR Success Stories in June, 2019

Workshop at the Sunshine Garden

Jocelyn C. hosted a composting workshop with Allan Y. The workshop was put on by the Capilano Community League and held at the Sunshine Garden. It was a great event!

Thank you...
for Reusing

Christine T. thoughtfully washes reusable dishes after church on a regular basis. This avoids disposable plates and cutlery. Her efforts were rewarded with a meaningful thank you card.

Waste Reduction Baby Shower

Hengli C. hosted a baby shower party for a friend. "I asked my friends to try to bring their own mugs and food containers, even tableware." This is a good way to reduce to use plastic stuff.

After the party, friends could bring the food back home with their containers.

Workshops for Federal Employees

Line d. set up workshops for her colleagues at Canada Place. Topics included how to Go Bagless, how to recycle better, Edmonton's waste system, and how to compost at home!

Celebrate Waste Collector Appreciation Day

Our waste collectors help keep our streets clean all year round. Last year they collected 245,046 tonnes of residential waste from 396,876 households, twice as heavy as Toronto's CN Tower! Safe, clean communities depend on the hard work that our waste collectors do on a daily basis.

As part of North American Waste Collector week, the City will celebrate our waste collectors at a free family event this Sunday at Compost 'S cool.

Date: Sunday, June 16
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Compost 'S cool (near Fort Edmonton Park)
Cost: Free

Come chat with a waste collector, check out a garbage truck, make thank you cards and learn how to help keep your collectors safe and one time.

Visit edmonton.ca/wastecollections

MCR Success Stories in May, 2019

Hosted a Garden Party MCR-in-Training Barb L. enlisted neighbours to help empty an entire compost bin. "We dug a few holes for the unfinished compost and then spread the remainder of the compost in the front yard soil (no grass there). We discussed benefits and barriers and I showed them how great the compost at the bottom of the bin is and how easy it is to do."

Community Composter MCR Nicola T. resurrected a composting system at her children's school. "We started a free fruit program at school, sponsored by No Frills. We now have so many fruit peels and cores daily, that a new compost setup was needed.  Leadership Club empties the compost bins in school after the kids have had lunch, but more compost bins were lacking next to the fruit bowl where the kids get the free fruit. I am working on educating the whole school population on better waste management." "I know it's making a difference already because the secretary asked me where to buy a compost bin for her home, and picked up the 2nd last one that John Jansen had.  I've been explaining to her how to set it up too."

Hosted a Clothing Swap MCR-in-Training Michelle W. hosted a clothing swap and small items for the Eco Station, Reuse Centre and donation for a group of seven women. The event was a big success!

Telling his Story of Composting MCR Shawn G. rebuilt the compost system at his home. He documented the shift from his old system to the new setup, in detailed steps, on social media. "People messaged me after with questions or asking for advice." Great idea!

Tell One Friend: Enjoy a Wasteless Picnic

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. It is a great time to enjoy a picnic, have a meal on a camping trip or BBQ in the company of friends and family. However, packing food to cook or eat on the go can produce excess waste. Packing a zero to low-waste meal or snack can sometimes be a challenge, especially when packing for many people.

Plan for your Picnic

When preparing food for your picnic, consider these points:

• Pack reusable dishes and cutlery.
• Skip the juice boxes and cans of pop; bring a thermos or reusable bottle filled with a beverage.
• Fill up reusable jugs, bottles or jars for drinking water instead of purchasing plastic water bottles. 
• Forget the straws.
• Pack reusable cups, encourage others who are attending to bring their own cup or mug.
• Prepare food in advance to avoid buying ready-to-go packaged products. 

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Share Your Message Effectively

Try these strategies to help encourage your family, friends and co-workers to keep their picnics, BBQs and camping meals waste free.

Model the Behaviour

Show friends and family how to pack a low or zero waste meal by hosting a picnic, sending wasteless food packing ideas to attendees, and explaining the goals behind these actions.

Make it Normal

Each time you model a wasteless picnic, BBQ or snack in nature, it becomes more accepted and expected.

Offer Timely Prompts
When attending a get-together, be it a picnic, BBQ or camping meal, offer ideas on how those around you can make small changes to help reduce waste.

Give Positive Feedback
"Wow that salad looks so appetizing in your reusable jar."

Highlight the Benefits
Preparing food in advance for a meal on the go in nature can sound like a large task. However, each single-use item that a person can eliminate is a beneficial way to reduce waste. One small change at a time. 

Visit edmonton.ca/waste

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Next Tell One Friend: Go Bagless to Reduce Waste