Introducing new procedures and educating the public in order to create change require clear communication, creative problem solving, and engaging presentations. We help train clients’ staff so they can engage the public in their projects, even when we are not around. With our innovative graphic design team and strategic public outreach skills we develop toolkits and guidelines and create training curricula and case studies that inform and engage the audience.
Encouraging Multifamily Recycling

The City of Bellevue is working to increase recycling rates among residents of apartments, condominium complexes, and other multifamily housing. A recent survey of multifamily housing residents showed that about half were confused about the city’s recycling program and many residents said they would be encouraged to recycle more if they had bags to carry recyclables to the pickup container and better signage in their collection areas. EnviroIssues is supporting the city by providing on-the-ground research with property managers to effectively distribute signs that address information barriers and to get new recycling bags into the hands of tenants.

 
Training on New Recycling Requirements

As Seattle rolled out a new and expanded household recycling program, residents faced new requirements. To help city staff make the program a success, EnviroIssues developed a series of training sessions that focused on the mandatory recycling ordinance, its implementation, and how to communicate changes effectively to the public. Training sessions were customized for specific audiences, including solid waste and recycling transfer station staff, solid waste inspectors, customer service representatives, and contractor representatives.

 
Educating the Community – Creating Change

EnviroIssues helped the City of Bothell develop and implement an education plan to address fecal coliform levels and improve water quality in the North Creek Watershed. We assisted in developing a research plan to identify effective strategies for community education and outreach in order to change public behaviors. EnviroIssues provided strategic input and advice on audience identification, survey methodology, and strategies for education. The outreach included development and delivery of community presentations, writing media releases and Web text, and training volunteers to deliver outreach to community members
and groups.

 
Statewide Congestion Alternatives

As traffic continues to grow and highway conditions worsen in the Central Puget Sound region, the Washington State Department of Transportation is working to develop new pricing alternatives to manage traffic demand. EnviroIssues is helping develop a communications strategy to increase public awareness and acceptance of the proposed pricing alternatives. These alternatives include the development of a High Occupancy Toll lane on SR 167 which would allow solo drivers to pay an electronic toll to use the HOT lane if space is available, and applying corridor and/or system-wide tolls as a way to manage traffic.

 
Parking Enforcement Officers Discuss Public Outreach

Working as a parking enforcement officer can create difficult communication situations. Finding new and creative ways to constructively engage the public is a welcome break from the daily routine. EnviroIssues facilitated a workshop to encourage parking enforcement officers to discuss what works and what doesn’t, and to learn new ways to communicate with the public. This workshop included personality tests for participants, communication style analysis, and helpful
tips to use when communication begins to break down.