This is the story of Litter with a story to tell.
I just listened to
Don't just be the change, make the change on The Story Of
Stuff (http://www.storyofstuff.org/about/).
As the video suggested, I would like to share my story of how I am working to
drive change in my community.
Vermont is the only
state that does not have an Adopt-a-Highway Program. Why? Because we have Green
Up Day led by The Green Up Vermont non-profit (http://www.greenupvermont.org/). Thousands of people in Vermont turn out each
year on the first Sat. in May to volunteer for Green Up Day by picking up
litter along the roadsides, shorelines, parks, and elsewhere.
As I wrote in my
"Why we do it (Green Up Day) every year" blog posting:
Yet, I
want us to do more. I want more of us to clean up litter year round with a goal
of eradicating litter in our community. Here I will highlight (each one numbered)
some of the methods I have used to instill this change.
In 2010 I began writing
editorials (published in the local paper of my community, The Other Paper,(http://www.otherpapersbvt.com/) occasionally in The Burlington Free Press and now also in The Mountain Gazette (http://www.mountaingazetteofvermont.com/index.htm) promoting a year round Green up / Clean up litter awareness
and actions to clean up litter whenever
it occurs or is seen. The local paper asked me if I would like to write a monthly
column (1.) on the subject and I have done so ever since. My columns attempt to
use emotional context, humor, and other storylines to carry the “Year Round
Litter Eradication” message. For example:
Seeking to expand upon my published
text columns, I began a blog (2.), http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/. The blog contains short stories (& photos) reflecting
Vermont values of Green and Clean, inspiring
people to maintain a litter-free environment year round. The blog includes
pictures of litter in our community, and for contrast–pictures of nature
without litter, empasizing the beauty of nature in Vermont and supporting the general community norm (Vermont values) against littering. In addition, there are litter related references including
blogs by others with the same year round litter eradication action oriented
goals.
Thematic (sports) - http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/03/everyone-can-play-this-all-season-sport.html,
Thematic (sports) - http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/03/everyone-can-play-this-all-season-sport.html,
Starting the conversation about
year round clean up with businesses (3.) was my next step. During the fall and
winter, I walked an area in our community that contains many retailers and took
pictures each week of the litter in front of many of these businesses. Next, I
created a two-minute petition and engaged one on one (door to door) with business
owners and managers to alert them of the opportunity to help their
establishments shine by recognizing and cleaning up the litter on their
storefronts, throughout the year. (Read more to see how well this worked, at http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/04/selling-clean-brand.html)
Businesses/pictorial- http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/02/time-to-clean-up-our-commercial.html
After canvassing these
businesses twice in two years, I pondered, how could I let other folks know
they are empowered and how they could exercise their desire to have a Green and
Clean community, beyond participating in Green Up Day. Thus, the Clean Up Coupon (4.) was created. (http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/02/clean-up-coupon.html) The coupon allows individual citizens to alert retailers
of litter on their business storefronts. This allows citizens to express that
they care for a Green and Clean community; to express they believe in CSR,
Corporate Social Responsibility.
My first large success was with
one of the large grocery stores in our community. This store took measures to
put in place a regularly scheduled clean up of their storefront. I visually
inspected their storefront weekly for over a year. The results were dramatic.
When I see one of their employees outside picking up trash from the storefront,
(celebrate success (5.) ) I stop and tell them, “I know this task may not be
your favorite, but I hope you can feel proud at the difference you are making
for our community”.
In
contrast, for many months after I met with the manager of a drug store next
door to the grocery store mentioned above, I noticed a large amount of litter
on the drug stores parking lot, green space and walkway. Taking the appeal for
clean up to the next level, I contacted the drug store (a national chain)
corporate offices. They responded they would contact the manager and instruct
remedial action. After a few more months had passed and the pattern had mostly
continued I contacted the national chain’s corporate office again, this time
copying the owner of the real estate company that owned the property and
copying my communities city council chairperson. I don't wish to enact punishment. I do wish to modify behaviour. As part of my effort to
encourage change, I offered this council (6.):
Another opportunity for voicing my concern about an action affecting the cleanliness of our community came as I bicycled up a hill while being passed by a trash hauler truck. Spewing out of the top of the truck like a snow squall where hundreds of Styrofoam – popcorn pieces. I pedaled as fast as I could up the hill and managed to catch up to the truck, which had stopped at a traffic red light. The driver rolled down his window, however being so out of breath I could not speak at first. After taking about fifteen seconds to catch my breath, I alerted the driver to the massive amount of litter leaving the truck and landing on the road and in the river. The driver made adjustments to prevent further leakage of trash. Later I alerted the trash company and asked them to take actions to prevent re-occurrence (7.).
I Believe businesses must constantly earn the
valuable Clean branding that Vermont conveys. According to The VERMONT Brand,
a study by O’Neil Strategy Group, a brand is a set of strong associations
people have with a product, place of service. Brands exist in peoples ‘minds,
not in the product, place or service itself. These associations are really
expectations people have for that product, place or service. For purchasers of
Vermont products the Vermont image includes natural, pure, beautiful and
respectful of the environment. Does litter in front of storefronts enhance this
product association? Will (sore name) elect to clean up and maintain a litter
free storefront to include the parking area, walkway, fronting sidewalk,
greenbelt, and roadside curb, on a year round basis? Elect clean
storefronts –it is a matter of community pride. Moreover, it is a matter of
differentiation for Vermont businesses.
Another opportunity for voicing my concern about an action affecting the cleanliness of our community came as I bicycled up a hill while being passed by a trash hauler truck. Spewing out of the top of the truck like a snow squall where hundreds of Styrofoam – popcorn pieces. I pedaled as fast as I could up the hill and managed to catch up to the truck, which had stopped at a traffic red light. The driver rolled down his window, however being so out of breath I could not speak at first. After taking about fifteen seconds to catch my breath, I alerted the driver to the massive amount of litter leaving the truck and landing on the road and in the river. The driver made adjustments to prevent further leakage of trash. Later I alerted the trash company and asked them to take actions to prevent re-occurrence (7.).
Collaboration
is often multiplier (1+1=3 by sharing in expertise) and barrier breaker. I have
recommended joint collaboration between trash haulers and the city government
to establish trashcans & service at high traffic areas where litter
accumulates. I have contacted local high schools and colleges offering
suggestions of various project ideas towards litter eradication and litter
prevention that they might utilize as part of their community service
curriculum.(8.)
On an
individual basis, I participate on Green Up day, this past year staffing a
table at City Hall – the reception point for Green Up Day trash drop off-
meeting with folks to promote year round green up events and actions. During
much of the fall, winter and spring I pick up litter around a two block area in
our community once a week on average. This summer I have joined the Rozalia Project
(http://www.rozaliaproject.org/join_us/for_a_clean_vermont.html) on Coastal Shore Cleanup activities to help clean up some of our
lake and river shorelines. (9.)
I have also
created an anti litter WIKI (10.) (http://littereradication.wikispaces.com/0.+Welcome) that references many litter resources
including research reports, logos, slogans, litter laughs, inspirational items
and more. Success
will require many ideas and actions to prevent litter, to cleanup
existing litter, to raise awareness and activism, and grow a culture
that is intolerant of litter.
To
celebrate and success and encourage continued actions I have written to many
profit and non-profits (11.) whom support Green Up Day.
Thank You (business or nonprofit name) and
employees for your support of Green Up Vermont and thereby facilitating Green
Up Day in South Burlington. Green Up Day is a wonderful family tradition that
helps build community while improving the health and view of our landscape.
Community is not static. Community needs to be developed, sought, and
nourished. Invite people to and encourage communally beneficial and
non-exclusive activity like litter picking; that in turn develops community.
Vermont’s natural landscape is a treasure we need to care for on a regular
basis. Green Up Day participation by businesses, employees, families and
nonprofit groups reflect how much Vermonters cherish their environment. What is Success? Read the answer at http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/05/south-burlington-green-up-day-2012.html .
I
continue to seek ideas for more methods of communicating awareness of litter
and the harm it does, promote clean up throughout the year, and enclose the
messages in stories and pictures that captivate people’s interest. The Story Of Stuff blog, movies, text, and
other messaging formats as well as the information and inspiration within, help
me to brainstorm how I might offer more diversified storylines.
In
the second most popular (by viewers) of my blog postings, http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/02/green-economy-does-it-include-you.html I
state,
From far away Earth appears to be blue.
The new
mantra is “Beneficial”.
Will you become beneficial
to our home-our atmosphere, our soil, our lakes, rivers and streams? Will you
add your voice and behavior to the Green Economy?
None of us will do it all. If each of us does the best we can, we
will make a difference-it is about individual actions by mass numbers of
people.
By far, the most popular blog posting
(according to readers) I have written is http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-are-we-tolerant-of-trash.html
Why are we tolerant of trash?
We can grow an attitude of intolerance for
litter just as we can grow pride and activism for attributes like Lake
Champlain.
If enough people join in on a regular basis, well to quote Arlo Guthrie in Alice's Restaurant song, "And friends they may think it's a movement." Everyone can make a direct impact on litter prevention and clean up.
If enough people join in on a regular basis, well to quote Arlo Guthrie in Alice's Restaurant song, "And friends they may think it's a movement." Everyone can make a direct impact on litter prevention and clean up.
It is the movement to eradicate litter
in each our communities - I wish to grow.
Bernie Paquette
Love where you live!
& Laugh, Dream, Try, and do good.
Bernie Paquette
Love where you live!
& Laugh, Dream, Try, and do good.
Other essay postings:
Ø Why are we tolerant of trash?: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-are-we-tolerant-of-trash.html
Ø If roads could talk: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2011/05/carry-it-with-you.html
Ø Green Economy-does it include you?: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/02/green-economy-does-it-include-you.html
Ø Sleuthing-Detective work: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2010/07/sleuthing.html
Ø Dog days of summer: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2010/08/dog-days-of-summer-our-dogs-are-great.html
Ø Who is responsible for this mess? http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2010/09/who-is-responsible-for-this-mess.html
Ø The Power in numbers: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2010/10/power-in-numbers.html
Ø Mark Your Territory (dogs): http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2010/12/mark-your-territory.html
Ø Let’s not disappoint them: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2011/10/lets-not-disappoint-them.html
Ø What goes up must come down: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2012/10/look-up.html
Ø Blog measureable outcomes: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-measurable-outcomes-desired.html
Ø What’s your story?: http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2013/01/whats-your-story.html
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