What are the Competing Behaviours?

Another installment about Effective MCR Conversations

"Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds." - George Eliot

I like to help friends and neighbours adopt new behaviours that reduce waste. Hopefully I ask them for actions that fit their lifestyle. After all, everyone is working through the list of chores and tasks and projects and programs of the day.

Before I "ask" them to do a specific action, I pause. I consider other actions that might "compete" with what I want them to do.

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Step One: List the Competing Behaviours

What actions could they do instead?

Example One: Bring his reusable bags into the grocery store.

Some competing behaviours

• He plans to carry his groceries out in his hands.
• He plans to carry his groceries out in a box.
• He just forgot to put his reusable bags in his car.
• He just forgot his reusable bags in his car.
• He plans to buy a reusable bag at the cashier.

Note: We assume IF he brings reusable bags into the store THEN he will use them.

Example Two: Go bagless when she mows her lawn.

Some competing behaviours

• She bags her grass, puts it in a plastic bag, and sets it out for garbage.
• She just forgot to take the bag off her lawnmower.
• She bags her grass and puts it in her compost pile.
• She bags her grass and brings it to the Eco Station.
• She is in the Edmonton Cart Rollout, so she bags her grass, puts it in a big paper bag, and sets it out for collection.
• She doesn't mow her lawn.
• She re-landscapes everything and gets rid of her lawn.

Step Two: Respect

Pause and respect why each of these actions is a realistic option.

It might be convenient. It might be attractive. It might be easy. It might be desirable. And sometimes, it might be good for the environment. Someone might consider each action. Those reasons are legitimate and meaningful for them.

These two steps help me favour my target behaviour for each person. That's how I have some success in changing waste behaviours.

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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.

More "Effective MCR Conversations"

Previous Secret Key to Success... Ask Someone
Next What Behaviours to Choose?

 

Tell One Friend: Take Your Battery out to an Eco Station

If a household item makes noise, lights up or connects to the Internet, then it almost certainly has a battery. Did you know that batteries in the garbage can leak toxic chemicals into the air, soil and water? The can also interact with other items in the trash and explode or catch fire.

Do you use a lot of batteries?

Try rechargeable batteries. Making the switch saves money, reduces waste, and helps the environment.

Juicy Tips

• It's FREE to drop off batteries, e-waste and Household Hazardouswaste at Eco Stations.
• Find the closest Eco Station. Visit edmonton.ca/ecostations
• Take batteries out of devices.
  Remember batteries in remote car locks, watches, musical greeting cards, cell phones and more...
• Put tape over both ends of the battery. This prevents reactions with other objects.
• Batteries (and other Household Hazardous Waste) are not accepted at Big Bin Events.
• Edmontonians can also discard batteries at many local retailers.
  Click here for local retailers that recycle batteries.

Share Your Message Effectively

Try these tips to connect with friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers.

Model the Behaviour

Show friends and family how to store and drop off batteries to Eco Stations or drop off location and how to find where.

Offer Timely Prompts

When you spot batteries that need replacing, remind friends and family about how to properly dispose of used batteries. Talk about the benefits of rechargeable batteries.

Give Positive Feedback

"You are really helping the environment by taking those batteries to the Eco Station!"

Visit edmonton.ca/ecostations

Previous Tell One Friend: Going Bagless to Reduce Yard Waste
Next Tell One Friend: Prepare Your Autumn Leaves

MCR Success Stories in July, 2019

Plastic Free July

Hayley R. made an impact on social media by posting about #plasticfreejuly. Hayley had many offline conversations about reducing waste, specifically plastic as a result.

Home Composting...Ready, Set, Go!

Joe L. helped friends set up a home composter and got them started with home composting their kitchen scraps.

Session Success

Alan, Tony & Craig delivered a session on composting to the City of Edmonton Forestry team. They covered science of composting, set up worm bins and shared tips on effective gardening.

MCR Munch & Mulch

MCRs and their guests came out to Compost 'S cool this past weekend to learn about 5 ways to deal with grass, leaves, and plants... but not "compost." We finished up with Compost 'S cool pictionary. The weather was beautiful, snacks were delicious and the company fabulous as always!

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!