SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Health-based Communication Strategy

Kiera Reid — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 20:44:12 +0000

Health-based Communication Strategy Kiera Reid Fri, 09/16/2022 - 16:44

Project Background

Too often, important decisions are made based almost entirely on very narrow economic factors: upfront costs, operational costs, payback periods, etc. Yet these decisions often have social, ecological and health implications that are overlooked or under-appreciated in these analyses. Creative and compelling value propositions that showcase these other dimensions can help to drive better decisions that can also be more cost-effective in the long term when the broader and full costs of a decision are considered.

The Sustainability Office is looking to develop new communication tools for the health benefits for a variety of the programs and operations that it influences. These communication tools can help to highlight the multi-dimensional value of sustainable choices and build compelling cases for decisions that may not appear to be the best economic choice at first glance. This work relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 15.

Project Examples

Researching sustainability practices promoted by the Sustainability Office in one or more of the following areas:
- Naturalized landscaping
- Other landscaping
- Green roofs and blue roofs
- Sustainable food choices
- Commutes to work
- Water use
- New building standards
- Energy efficiency
- Greenhouse gas emissions reduction
- Other
Researching best practices for communicating health-based benefits or value for sustainable practices related to the areas above. These health benefits may be:
- Qualitative e.g., Exposure to nature can improve mental health
- Quantitative e.g., A 2.5cm diameter oak tree planted on campus will remove 25 g of PM2.5 over 20 years¹
Developing creative and compelling communication strategies for raising awareness of the health benefits of sustainable practices

¹https://mytree.itreetools.org/#/benefits/individual

Public Service Announcement for Waste Sorting Tools

Sneha Praveen — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 17:48:55 +0000

Public Service Announcement for Waste Sorting Tools Sneha Praveen Fri, 08/19/2022 - 13:48

Project Background

In 2017, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ committed to diverting 60% of its waste by 2025 and 90% of its waste by 2035, thereby achieving a zero-waste designation. This goal also furthers the University’s work on sustainable development goal 12: responsible consumption and production.

The Shift Zero action plan outlines the need for major shifts in campus user behaviour if we are to achieve this objective. Students, employees and visitors must learn to divert recyclable and organic waste to the appropriate receptacles. Despite updated and enhanced waste sorting receptacles, reuse programs, and engagement campaigns, the diversion rate was 29.4% in 2020: less than half of where we aim to be in less than 5 years. A waste sorting tool and app for Android and Apple phones was launched at the end of 2021 to help users choose the right bin for their waste, and to navigate the many different recycling, organics, and waste reduction programs across the campus (see Shift:Zero waste sorting guide).

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ is therefore looking for creative ways to promote its waste sorting tools and apps, to drive usage to the ReCollect platform as a means of improving waste diversion on campus.

Project Example

Developing a public service announcement for raising awareness of the waste sorting tool and app.

Public Service Announcement for Sustainable Food

Sneha Praveen — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 17:31:59 +0000

Public Service Announcement for Sustainable Food Sneha Praveen Fri, 08/19/2022 - 13:31

Background

Our food choices affect our health, our pocketbooks, our self-image, and they also have an environmental footprint. Food production, transportation, processing, packaging and disposal are also responsible for significant environmental impacts. And when it comes to climate change, food generates over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, with animal-based foods being responsible for much of those emissions. Yet consumers are often unaware or have misconceptions about the magnitude and factors that contribute to the environmental footprint of their food choices. The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Environmental Sustainability Strategy aims to address some of this knowledge gap through objective O12: by 2020, deliver multifaceted programming to grow student and employee awareness about healthy and sustainable food choices.

To date, the Sustainability Office and 2025 ��ݮ��Ƶ have rolled out 18 programs and initiatives to promote sustainable food choices and practices, including workshops, food labels, increased plant based menu options, sourcing local food, and encouraging reduced food waste. However, there is more work to be done.

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ is looking for inspirational communication approaches to increase awareness of healthy and sustainable food choices available on campus and in our community, in ways that are meaningful for a student audience. Specifically, the hope is to develop communications assets to succinctly but creatively share or visualize the efforts that are underway within 2025 ��ݮ��Ƶ, the beneficial impact that they are having, and the decisions students and other patrons/consumers can make to support those outcomes. This work relates to Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 11 and 13.

Scope of Work

Develop a public service announcement/communications campaign for increasing healthy and sustainable food choices on campus targeting one or more of the following:

Eco-certified products: Fair trade, MSC
Locally sourced food (farm to campus fresh program)
Vegetarian and vegan options
Use of eco-containers and lug-a-mug
Food waste reduction

Stakeholders

Sustainability Office
2025 ��ݮ��Ƶ

Proposed Deliverables

The details of the deliverables are flexible but must meet the requirements set out by the course instructor. Some proposed deliverables include:

Public service announcement text and/or images, visualizations, frameworks, etc. that the University is free to use in promoting sustainable and healthy food choices

Communications Strategy for Sustainable Food

Sneha Praveen — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 17:16:42 +0000

Communications Strategy for Sustainable Food Sneha Praveen Fri, 08/19/2022 - 13:16

Project Background

Our food choices affect our health, our pocketbooks, our self-image, and they also have an environmental footprint. Food production, transportation, processing, packaging and disposal are also responsible for significant environmental impacts. And when it comes to climate change, food is responsible for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, with animal-based foods being responsible for much of those emissions^1,2 . Yet consumers are often unaware or have misconceptions about the magnitude and factors that contribute to the environmental footprint of their food choices. The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Environmental Sustainability Strategy aims to address some of this knowledge gap through objective O12: by 2020, deliver multifaceted programming to grow student and employee awareness about healthy and sustainable food choices. This work also relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 12, and 13.

To date, the Sustainability Office and 2025 ��ݮ��Ƶ have rolled out 18 programs and initiatives to promote sustainable food choices and practices, including workshops, food labels, increased plant-based menu options, sourcing local food, and encouraging reduced food waste³ . But there is more work to be done.

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ is looking for a communications strategy to further increase awareness of healthy and sustainable food choices available on campus and in our community.

Project Examples

Researching sustainable and healthy food choices, including climate impacts, geographic and seasonal food sourcing (local vs imported), certification mechanisms, packaging, waste management, and others.
Conducting a survey of student and employee sustainable and healthy food literacy, attitudes, and priorities.
Researching best practices from other major institutions for increasing awareness of the health and environmental impacts of food choices.
Developing a communications strategy for increasing healthy and sustainable food choices on campus.
Making recommendations for how to easily measure the impact of that communications strategy on food choices on campus.

¹ Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), 987-992

² Ritchie, H. (2021). You want to reduce the carbon footprint of your food? Focus on what you eat, not whether your food is local. Our World in Data. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local

³Sustainability (n.d.). Food choices. University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. retrieved from /sustainability/about/reporting/food-data

Communicating the Benefits of Sustainability Initiatives

Sneha Praveen — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 16:25:09 +0000

Communicating the Benefits of Sustainability Initiatives Sneha Praveen Fri, 08/19/2022 - 12:25

Project Background

Too often important decisions are made based almost entirely on very narrow economic factors: upfront costs, operational costs, payback periods, etc. Yet these decisions often have social, ecological and health implications that are overlooked or under-appreciated in these analyses. Creative and compelling value propositions that showcase these other dimensions can help to drive better decisions that can also be more cost-effective in the long term when the broader and full costs of a decision are considered.

The Sustainability Office is looking to develop new communication tools for the non-economic benefits of a variety of the programs and operations that it influences. These communication tools can help to highlight the multi-dimensional value of sustainable choices and build compelling cases for decisions that may not appear to be the best choice at first glance when only upfront costs are considered. This work relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 15.

Project Examples

Researching sustainability practices promoted by the Sustainability Office in one or more of the following areas:
- Naturalized landscaping
- Other landscaping
- Green roofs and blue roofs
- Sustainable food choices
- Commutes to work
- Water use
- New building standards
- Energy efficiency
- Greenhouse gas emissions reduction
- Other
Researching best practices for communicating the non-economic benefits or value for sustainable practices related to the areas above. These benefits may include social, physical and/or mental health, ecological and environmental, climate-related, political, reputational, and others. The benefits can also be
- Qualitative eg. Exposure to nature can improve mental health
- Quantitative eg. A 2.5cm diameter Oak tree planted on campus will remove 25 g of PM2.5 over 20 years¹
  - Note: unless the evidence is strong, it is best to avoid attempting to put a dollar value on non-economic benefits
Developing creative and compelling communication strategies for raising awareness of these noneconomic benefits of sustainable practices.

¹ https://mytree.itreetools.org/#/benefits/individual

Zero Emission Landscaping Study

Sneha Praveen — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 15:36:07 +0000

Zero Emission Landscaping Study Sneha Praveen Fri, 08/19/2022 - 11:36

Project Background

Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, tractors: landscaping equipment on our campus is powered with fossil fuels that contribute to our campus’ greenhouse gas emissions. The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ aims to reduce its operational emissions by 35% below 2015 levels by 2030 and it plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Although landscaping equipment contributes a small percentage to that total, a shift to zero emission equipment is both a relatively simple and highly visible way to reduce our campus emissions. Two initiatives in the Shift:Neutral climate action plan aim to address some of these emissions:

35. Reduction: Expand electric, hybrid, or hydrogen powered vehicles within ��ݮ��Ƶ’s fleet through accelerated deployment

36. Action: Pilot data-logging tools to generate actionable information about utilization, behaviour gaps and user feedback, and suitability for electrification

This project also relates to sustainable development goals 13 for climate action.

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ is therefore looking for a business case for replacing end-of-life landscaping equipment with zero-emission alternatives. For the purposes of this project, any one of the following landscaping equipment categories could be investigated:

Light-duty trucks used for grounds maintenance
Carts, gators, and other offroad vehicles
Riding mowers, tractors, and plows
Push mowers and other push equipment
Handheld equipment such as leaf blowers, weed trimmers, hedge trimmers, etc.

Project Examples

Consulting with grounds services to get an inventory of fuel-based landscaping equipment, their replacement schedule and annual fuel usage.
Identifying zero emission alternatives to existing landscaping equipment and any additional storage/charging supports that would be required.
Performing a comparative economic analysis of replacing end of life equipment with like for like or zero emission equipment. The economic analysis should include upfront costs, operational costs and any additional economic implications (e.g. maintenance costs, future carbon taxes).
Estimating the greenhouse gas emissions impacts of a switch to zero emission landscaping equipment.
Identifying any changes in landscaping practices needed to accommodate zero emissions equipment.
Consulting with grounds personnel about non-economic barriers to the adoption of zero emission landscaping equipment.
Summarizing the institutional value of zero emission landscaping equipment, including reputational factors.
Making recommendations based on the work listed above.

Barriers to Waste Diversion in Residences

Mathew Thijssen — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 17:24:07 +0000

Barriers to Waste Diversion in Residences Mathew Thijssen Fri, 07/22/2022 - 13:24

Project Background

We all know that waste is a problem. Each of us in Canada was responsible for an average of 694 kg of solid waste in 2018¹, and we generate among the most garbage of any country in the world². Most of us want to do better, but it isn’t easy in a world where so much is disposable, packaging is ubiquitous, and recycling isn’t as easy as it should be.

Many of the barriers to better waste diversion are not related to awareness and education. For example, when there is no organic waste bin available, or when the recycling bin is out of the way while the garbage bins are conveniently at hand, or when recycling is always overflowing. A community-based social marketing approach starts by identifying the specific and indivisible behaviour to target, such as diverting recyclables in residence buildings to recycling bins³. Through research, observations and engaging with target populations, this approach aims to identify the barriers and the benefits to the desired behaviours. Strategies that specifically address those barriers and reinforce the benefits can then be tested, evaluated and if appropriate, expanded.

In 2017, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ committed to diverting 60% of its waste by 2025 and 90% of its waste by 2035, thereby achieving a zero-waste designation.

This goal also furthers the University’s work on UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: responsible consumption and production. The Shift Zero action plan outlines the need for major shifts in campus operations and user behaviour if we are to achieve this objective. Yet despite updated and enhanced waste sorting receptacles, reuse programs, and engagement campaigns, the diversion rate in 2021 was only half of where we aim to be in less than 5 years.

In residences where students manage their own garbage, staff have observed that there is almost no sorting of waste. The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ is therefore looking for a study of the student barriers to waste diversion through sorting in its residences.

Project Examples

Conducting a literature review on the barriers to waste diversion in multi-unit residential buildings.
Engaging with Campus Housing staff to identify a target building and understand the challenges and constraints for the collection of different waste streams.
Using a community-based social marketing-based approach to identify barriers to sorting waste in University of ��ݮ��Ƶ student campus housing.
Recommending and/or implement strategies for identifying barriers to waste sorting in student campus housing.
Developing recommendations for addressing barriers that are unrelated to awareness.
Making recommendations for how to measure the impact of waste diversion measures.
Making other recommendations for how to increase waste sorting based on best practices in other multi-unit residential buildings.

¹ https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/solid-wastediversion-disposal.html

²https://www.statista.com/statistics/689809/per-capital-msw-generation-by-country-worldwide/

³ https://sustainability.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Guide%20to%20CommunityBased%20Social%20Marketing.pdf

Barriers to Waste Diversion on Campus

Mathew Thijssen — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 17:15:32 +0000

Barriers to Waste Diversion on Campus Mathew Thijssen Fri, 07/22/2022 - 13:15

Project Background

We all know that waste is a problem. Each of us in Canada was responsible for an average of 694 kg of solid waste in 2018, and we generate among the most garbage of any country in the world. Most of us want to do better, but it isn’t easy in a world where so much is disposable, packaging is ubiquitous, and recycling isn’t as easy as it should be.

Many of the barriers to better waste diversion are not related to awareness and education. For example, we can’t find an organic waste bin for our banana peel, or the recycling bin for our pop can is down the hall but there is a garbage bin beside our desk, or maybe the recycling container is always overflowing. A community-based social marketing approach starts by identifying the specific and indivisible behaviour to target . Through research, observations and engaging with target populations, this approach aims to identify the barriers and the benefits to the desired behaviours. Strategies that specifically address those barriers and reinforce the benefits can then be tested, evaluated and if appropriate, expanded.

In 2017, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ committed to diverting 60% of its waste by 2025 and 90% of its waste by 2035, thereby achieving a zero-waste designation. This goal also furthers the University’s work on UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: responsible consumption and production.

The Shift Zero action plan outlines the need for major shifts in campus operations and user behaviour if we are to achieve this objective. Yet despite updated and enhanced waste sorting receptacles, reuse programs, and engagement campaigns, the diversion rate was not approaching where we aim to be in less than 5 years.

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ is therefore looking for a study of the student barriers to waste reduction and diversion on campus.

Project Examples

Conducting a literature review on the barriers to waste diversion on campuses and in large institutions.
Identifying UW student barriers to a specific type of waste diversion (eg. paper recycling or pop can recycling)
Recommending and/or implementing strategies for identifying student barriers to waste diversion on our campus.
Developing recommendations for addressing barriers that are unrelated to awareness.
Making recommendations for how to measure the impact of waste diversion measures.
Making other recommendations for how to increase waste diversion by students on campus based on best practices at other major institutions.

¹ https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/solid-wastediversion-disposal.html

²https://www.statista.com/statistics/689809/per-capital-msw-generation-by-country-worldwide/

³ https://sustainability.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Guide%20to%20CommunityBased%20Social%20Marketing.pdf