Karen Cannardwww.therubbishdiet.co.uk

A Rubbish Community Champion

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An average family home

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

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With an average family

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

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And a very average problem

I really SHOULD do something about it!

I HATE MY BIN!

It’s too heavy, too smelly

And too FULL!

New Year’s Resolution

JAN 2008

Must reduce our waste

Recycled EVERYTHINGBut still had

1 ½ bags per week for family of four

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

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But not an average challenge

• 2008 - No rubbish for one whole week - ZWW• Could Recycle and Compost• Seven weeks to prepare for• A very daunting challenge in more

ways than one.– Request from council to become

a Community Champion– Featured on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour

Photo: Copyright St Edmundsbury Borough Council

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

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Key: Thinking about rubbish

Where does it go?

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

Where does it come from

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Progress over 7 weeks

3rd Feb 2008 17th Feb 2008 2nd March 2008 9th March 2008

Orange bag: plastic bags separated from

other rubbish

50% reduction 66% 75% 95%

Wks 1&2 Wks 3&4 Wks 5&6 Wk 7

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

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Zero Waste WeekThe results of Zero Waste Week

Just one plaster!17th March 2008

99% reduction?

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

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The MotivationLaunched into the spotlight

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

•BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour•BBC Radio Suffolk•Irish Talk Radio•Local newspapers, including EADT & Bury Free Press

•Abbots Green School•The Book of Rubbish Ideas•The Alternative Kitchen Garden•The Times•The Independent on Sunday

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• Protecting anonymity of me and my family• Self consciousness• Didn’t want to appear to be different• Worried people would laugh• Inexperienced in the subject• Not an expert• Very nervous at having photos taken• Extremely nervous about radio and saying the wrong

thing.

But issue is too important to step away from

Feeling unprepared

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

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Importance of support channels

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

•Media training: to help calm nerves.

•Photo-bank: professional photo, reuse other photos.

•Community network: connectivity & wider opportunities

•Local authorities: recycling knowledge

•Industry contacts: product knowledge

•Social media: wider support network

•Media contacts: familiarity=trust

With the right support network, almost anything can happen

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Community Project: Recycle Week 2009

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

Abbots GreenCP School

Neighbours

Residents

Christ Church

Moreton Hall Prep School

Sebert Wood CP School

LET’S WASTE

LESS

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The support network in action

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

Tetra PakPR

RecycleWeek

Other Bloggers

Local Minister

BeaverScouts

HeadTeachers MH

CommunityCentre

PostOffice

MHD

BuryFreePress

Town 102FM

Heart FM

BBC Radio Suffolk

St EdsBorough Council

SuffolkCC

LET’S WASTELESS

Local Media

Industry Contacts

Local Councils

Local Community

Social Media

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Result: a real community effort

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

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Impacts & Recognition

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

•Comments from members of the local community about behavioural changes.

•Letters & words of support from Recycling Teams, Waste Portfolio Holder & Leader of Suffolk County Council.

•CIWM awards for Environmental Excellence: shortlisted, Recycling Champion 2009.

•Green Web Awards: shortlisted, Social Media Hero, 2009

•MediaGuardian Awards for Innovation, Shortlisted 2009, Independent Media.

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What’s next?

© 2010, Karen Cannard, The Rubbish Diet.

•The Rubbish Diet Challenge: Slim your own bin in just 8 weeks, at www.therubbishdiet.co.uk

•Zero Waste Community Workshops, Norwich

•Seven Suffolk Streets: Waste Reduction Project

•The Big Green Idea forum Rubbish Diet challenge

•National Recycle Week 2010.