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TALKING TRASH
Communication Training To Mobilize Local Communities Against Single-use Plastics
As communities become increasingly aware of the negative impact of single-use plastic pollution on both the environment and public health, local organizations working on environmental initiatives face a
paradoxical challenge.
Despite growing global awareness of the threat posed by single-use plastics, grass-roots initiatives often struggle to mobilize communities and catalyze tangible change at the local level.
Drawing its experience from the dozens of workshops given to hundreds of participants on issues related to single-use plastic consumption and pollution, MicroPlasticsJO is committed to enabling other organizations to find the best strategies to communicate on these issues and catalyze change.
MicroPlasticsJO has designed pragmatic and actionable communication online and face-to-face training for organizations ready to transform words and ambitions into actions.
Why is it so difficult to actively mobilize communities in the battle against single-use plastic consumption and pollution?
Lack of clarity & positivity
On one hand, plastic pollution seems abstract, distant, and too big to imagine. The words we often use to describe it; microplastics, nanoplastics, microbeads, polymers, sorting, recycling, upcycling, are, simply put, often confusing.
Other terms such as plastic crisis, plastic pollution, plastic wave, and hazardous chemicals create the feeling that the issue related to the excessive use of single-use plastics leaves little room for positivity and hope
Confusion and hopelessness are two major red flags that grass-root organizations can efficiently address when talking about single-use plastic consumption and pollution.
Global issue, local inaction
The lack of contextualization and temporality also plays a major role in creating distance between the immediate positive actions lambda citizens can take to reduce their plastic footprint and the global long-term scale of single-use plastic pollution.
The strong belief that efforts at the individual level are insignificant, meaningless, and postponable discourages many to take the first step toward more responsible choices.
By deconstructing this narrative using factual data and real-case examples of the tangible benefits of converging efforts to reduce pollution, tailored communication approaches can foster a sense of responsibility and rapid actionability among local populations.
Intangible impact
While visible plastic pollution such as littering may be the most obvious form of pollution, it is merely the tip of the iceberg. Long-lasting environmental pollution caused by single-use plastics can also occur in soils, water, and even our food, and can have lasting impacts on both human and environmental health.
However, these complex dynamics related to single-use plastic pollution are often difficult for the general public to grasp and may seem abstract or distant. This is why effective communication strategies are so important.
By making these issues accessible and relevant to local communities, we can help them better understand the impact of single-use plastics on their own lives and communities.
This includes highlighting the economic, social, and health-related costs of plastic pollution, as well as providing concrete examples of the ways in which individuals can relate and take action to reduce their plastic footprint.
How can TALKING TRASH training help my organization at better engage in single-use plastic-related issues?
Because it has been specifically designed for local organizations working with communities on
plastic pollution-related issues.
At MicroPlasticsJO, we have developed a comprehensive communication training specifically designed to equip organizations with the tools to interact with local communities on single-use plastic-related issues to drive change.
Because it focuses on positivity while remaining close to organizations and communities realities
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This training focuses on building vivid and positive interactions that shift sceptical, negative, or passive mindsets towards positive, pragmatic, and active behaviours.
This approach takes into consideration the daily challenges faced by communities, which often overshadow concerns about single-use plastic consumption and pollution.
Because it integrates the four main pillars of effective communication on single-use plastic-related issues
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Identifying cultural norms, individual behaviours and limitations.
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Building awareness through vivid language and positive messages.
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Challenging people to commit and adopt positive behaviours.
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Documenting and communicating on local impact.
format
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120 minutes
Online
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180 minutes
Face-To-Face
(In Thailand only)
Number of participants
1 to 6
3 to 12
Training
Training + Artistic demonstration resusing single-use plastics
135 $ all-included
180 $ base price + preparation and transportation fees