The great majority identify as female and more than half identify as white.
8 15% 2,24%,4% 28, 54% 4, 8%8, 15%
Asian NHPI AIAN White Multi NR
In July 2022, Zero Waste Hawai’i Island (ZWHI) invited newsletter subscribers and social media followers (over 2,700 people) to complete a short online Community Survey to solicit feedback for future program planning. We received a 2% response with 52 surveys completed. This report summarizes the survey results and offers recommendations on how the data can be used to boost community engagement and further the group’s mission to promote equitable waste reduction through education, advocacy and system (re)design.
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2022 Community Survey
There were 52 responses to the Community Survey spread fairly evenly across ages 34-74.
Ethnicity
Two thirds of survey participants came from East Hawaii Island.
AIAN: American Indian Alaska Native NHPI: Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander
3, 12116%,21%,23% 9, 17% 10, 19%6,12%1, 2% Ages 25-34 34-55 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ NR 41, 79% 9, 17%2, 4%
Survey Demographics
NRMaleFemale
Gender Identity
Survey participants listed 37 different zero waste behaviors they regularly practice, the most common of which were reducing plastic and paper use, composting, recycling (when available), and reusing.
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No community composting or sharing infrastructure
Inability to BYO containers to restaurants, no compostable packaging
Appliances, vehcicles designed to break, difficult/expensive to repair/recycle
Single use plastic packaging for most products
Biggest Barriers to Zero Waste Behaviors
number of respondents
3 0 5 10 15 20 25
Limited, inconvenient or lack of recycling options on island
Convience: time, ease, cost, space, changing others minds
The greatest barriers to zero waste living remain the limited, inconvenient or sheer lack of recycling options on the island as well as the reality that the majority of products come in plastic packaging. Plastic is so ubiquitous that is has become almost equated with convenience. Several respondents stated that this reality adds to the challenge they face trying to change the minds and behaviors of others.
Confusion about what is recyclable, changing policies and locations
Lack of zero packaging/bulk buy stores
0
Reusing, repurposing and up-cycling
4
Land, water and air contamination andRecyclingpollution
Alternative energy sources (solar, wind)
Zero Waste Issues of Most Interest
*Other Responses: Marine debris/litter, Illegal dumping reduction, Net metering credits, Understanding geothermal energy sources
number of respondents
Zero waste practices in my community
Reducing/avoiding disposable products and packaging
Zero waste practices in my home Policy & CompostingAdvocacy
Growing and preparing local food
*Other
Zero waste practices for businesses
Reducing, reusing, recycling and repurposing were the main areas of interest. There is also a need to focus on local food production and avoiding pollution. These topics can be addressed in the newsletter, on social media and at events as well as through grant funded projects and partnership initiatives with other area organizations and groups. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Transportation/conservation of fossil fuels Energy conservation
Zero waste practices at my workplace
Do-it-yourself alternatives to consumable products
Clothing swap/up-cycled fashion show
5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Film screenings or guest speakers, etc. (in person or webinar style)
Establishing a Saturday only free box, say at Hilo Transfer station (maybe where the former HI 5 center was, or some other feasible location) and sewing classes.
*Advocacy Events
Survey participants were most interested in attending a Zero Waste Festival/Green Market.
Fifteen people (28%) expressed an interest in volunteering at an event: set up/take down, promotion, teaching bike repair, sewing skills/crafting, etc.. Some were interested in conducting audits if provided the proper training.
respondentsofnumber
Other event suggestions included:
number of respondents
Zero Waste Themed Events of Most Interest to You/Your Family
Zero Waste Festival/Green Market
Zero waste audit training for homes, schools, restaurants, and businesses
Skill-building workshops
This could be produced by the group and possibly include other listed events as parts of the program. Alternatively, ZWHI could educate and support other festival and market producers in adopting zero waste practices.
*Other
Crafting/art projects
Repair Cafe or Fix-it Clinic
35302520151050 Weekdays Weekends Mornings Lunchtime Afternoons Evenings
Best Times to Attend Zero Waste Events
• Focus efforts on making the most commonly practiced zero waste behaviors (recycling, composting, reducing and reusing) easier to continue doing and be adopted by more people to build community solidarity.
• Schedule Zero Waste events in the afternoons on weekends.
• Host a Zero Waste Festival/Green Market as an umbrella event that includes other activities of interest, possibly as an annual ‘Zero Waste Week.’
Recommendations
• Other recommendations:
• Share survey results with respondents and the island community at large on social media, newsletters, press releases, etc.
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• Support legislation to fund recycling and the reduction of single use plastics and packaging.