Interpreting Survey Data to Inform Solid-Waste Education Programs

Few examples exist on how to use survey data to inform public environmental education programs. I suggest a process for interpreting statewide survey data with the four questions that give insights into local context and make it possible to gain insight into potential target audiences and community priorities. The four questions are: What percentage of the problem is the target audience causing? What is the probability of change? What are the community's priorities? Is it more advantageous to use educational funds to educate about other important solid-waste issues or community priorities? Survey data combined with the answers to these four questions form the basis for creating local environmental education programs. Examples from solid-waste management are used to illustrate the process.