1. TRP Chapter 2.4 1 Chapter 2.4 Public awareness and communication

2. TRP Chapter 2.4 2 Communicating with the public Different terminology Public communication Public information Stakeholder dialogue Public consultation Awareness raising Public education programmes Public involvement Public participation Same objective

3. TRP Chapter 2.4 3 Public concerns in general Fear of damage to health Effects on quality of life Damage to natural environment Lack of trust in responsible authorities

4. TRP Chapter 2.4 4 Public concerns about a specific development Health concerns Impacts on local amenities Impacts on property values Transport impacts Effects on quality of life Nuisance from noise, dust etc

5. TRP Chapter 2.4 5 Need for public awareness raising in developing economies Press cutting from Sunday Navhind Times, Goa 7 April 2002

6. TRP Chapter 2.4 6 Case study: Successful community action, Taiwan Proposal in 2001 by EPA to build a 78 hectare disposal site for industrial waste Community was concerned that the construction would damage local economic development Petition submitted to EPA saying that residents were against the establishment of such a site EPA agreed not to proceed without community acceptance Site was relocated

7. TRP Chapter 2.4 7 Case study: Public opposition to mercury disposal in India Community concern about a thermometer factory and scrap yard in a dense urban area Allegations that mercury-contaminated waste stored in open, frequented by barefoot, unprotected workers Wastes also illegally dumped on slopes of area officially designated a sanctuary area

8. TRP Chapter 2.4 8 Raising public awareness Hazardous waste management is itself an environmental protection measure Need to raise public awareness and understanding Public information campaigns are costly - they require: funds skilled staff time

9. TRP Chapter 2.4 9 Who is the public? Also known as ‘stakeholders’: all of those who have rights, responsibilities and interests Everyone but in particular: Neighbours of waste generating industry Neighbours of treatment or disposal facility National and local environmental campaigning bodies Local land users eg farmers, horticulturalists, allotment owners, gardeners, fishermen, forestry workers Schools and play groups Local community and religious groups

10. TRP Chapter 2.4 10 Specific groups to be informed Politicians, local and national Print and broadcast media Waste generators

11. TRP Chapter 2.4 11 Why raise public’s awareness? To increase their trust To provide accurate information To convey their own responsibilities as waste generators To get support for national waste strategies and especially a hazardous waste management programme To get local acceptance of necessary facilities required by that strategy

12. TRP Chapter 2.4 12 Another reason to inform the public To comply with the Aarhus Convention UN Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters Came into force October 2001 To date 19 countries are party to the convention

13. TRP Chapter 2.4 13 Who should undertake public information and communication? International bodies eg WHO, UNEP National governments Local/regional government Waste industry

14. TRP Chapter 2.4 14 How to inform and communicate with the public? Use a variety of methods as ‘public’ is mixed: Be clear about objectives Identify audience groups Identify message(s)

15. TRP Chapter 2.4 15 Need for diverse methods passive information provision eg posters, leaflets, newsletters, media/radio, web sites active seeking of public views eg surveys, workshops, telephone hot lines participative forums eg citizens juries, local advisory groups Need information appropriate to audience eg non- technical for layman Use of Internet increasing Some methods suited to conveying information and acquiring stakeholder views, some suited to dialogue

16. TRP Chapter 2.4 16 When to involve the public? When a hazardous waste strategy for the region or city is being devised When contracts for hazardous waste collection and/or disposal are being negotiated When planning applications are made for waste treatment and disposal sites When licensing or operating permits are applied for AIM: to increase public understanding of the issues and acceptance of necessary facilities

17. TRP Chapter 2.4 17 NIMBY Some of the acronyms used to describe public attitudes: NIMBY = Not In My Back Yard LULU = Locally Unacceptable Land Use NIMTOO = Not In My Term Of Office BANANA = Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone … and one used by the public to describe industry’s approach: CATNIP = Cheapest Available Technology Not Involving Prosecution

18. TRP Chapter 2.4 18 Average costs of different approaches Low cost: Leaflets and posters Surveys– telephone, postal, targeted groups Medium cost: Panels and focus groups Citizens’ juries High cost: Local advisory groups

19. TRP Chapter 2.4 19 Information for other stakeholders Different stakeholders need different information eg industry, policy makers Sector-specific information targeted at: major hazardous waste generators small scale generators Waste minimisation initiatives

20. TRP Chapter 2.4 20 Chapter 2.4 Summary Different terms, same objective improving the public’s awareness of, and participation in, hazardous waste management issues Common public concerns Case studies of public opposition Diversity of ‘the public’ Why involve them, who should do it, how and when Targeting specific sectors eg waste generators