You can have the best messages and the greatest materials and what seems like a terrific distribution method…but what if your audience isn’t paying attention? That was the question facing Portland Metro as they assessed the materials they were using to promote recycling in multi-family housing areas. The agency developed a full suite of materials to reduce waste and increase recycling, but a year later, wasn’t sure if those materials were reaching their audience. They asked EnviroIssues to develop and implement surveys to see what worked, what didn’t, and how the materials could improve.
Armed with a fleet of iPads and surveys in English, Spanish, and Russian, we went door-to-door to talk to tenants and facilitated focus groups with tenants and property managers. The survey results showed a disconnect between Metro and the audiences they were trying to reach: tenants and property managers weren’t seeing the materials. EI drafted a report with recommendations on how best to improve their materials and distribution and, as a result, increase use of recycling at multi-family complexes. Happy client, happy planet!