Community-based behaviour change to tackle illegal dumping

Photo of a sign saying "Only wombats dump here" in the forest.

#dontwasteourforests

In 2015-16, we managed and delivered the ‘ Don’ t Waste Our Forests’ campaign to prevent illegal dumping in local forests around the Orange, NSW region. The campaign was funded by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and run in partnership with two local Councils, Forestry Corporation of NSW and the Orange Mountain Bike Club.

We developed tailored behavioural messages and a low-budget creative using humour to engage the community and target likely dumping offenders. The messaging and creative was based on active research in the Orange community and the development of a targeted behaviour change strategy through a collaborative workshop with campaign partners. Tactics included a mix of physical interventions, such as signage and works at the forest entrance, and behavioural messages delivered through communication tactics.

A reference group was used to test ideas and product, which included: signage at the forest, the clean up and beautification (with some redevelopment) of the forest entrance, a ‘ free tip’ day run by Orange Council, local social media campaign, some local advertising (radio and print) and promotion at events with forest users.

Preliminary results showed contribution to decreased illegal dumping activity after implementation (approx. 80%), as well as increased awareness in the community of reporting illegal dumping and active engagement and strengthened partnerships with community groups and key stakeholders to work together to help prevent the problem in the future.

How can we help?
Lucy Wilson
Projects and Change Consultant 
lucy@thesocialdeck.com0491617118
Melanie Butcher
Director of Impact and Engagement 
mel@thesocialdeck.com0400 426 545

Overview

We developed tailored behavioural messages and a low-budget creative using humour to engage the community and target likely dumping offenders. The messaging and creative was based on active research in the Orange community and the development of a targeted behaviour change strategy through a collaborative workshop with campaign partners.

Client

NSW EPA

Services

Engage
Behaviour change programs
Social marketing

Sustainable Development Goal

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