Earth Works organisers' guide
Earth Works organisers' guide
About Earth Works
The Earth Works program aims to establish collaborative action within local communities to improve the quality of the environment. Its focus on reducing waste from the source through to disposal gives it the potential to effect significant waste minimisation across the state.
This Organisers Guide provides information and advice for organisations that want to become involved in the Earth Works program. The EPA is releasing two other documents to support the program: the Earth Works Trainers Manual, which includes a video and instructions for conducting the course; and the Earth Works Participants Notes, which contain the information and worksheets for course participants.
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Acknowledgments
The Earth Works Organisers Guide, Trainers Manual and Participants Notes were prepared by Peter Rutherford, John Denlay, Robyn Tucker, Vivienne Carol and Phil Smith. Additional material was provided by Peter Love.
The EPA wishes also to acknowledge the help of the following people and organisations: Bill Hunt; the councils that participated in the pilot phase, namely Camden, Canterbury, Lismore, North Sydney, Manly (with the Manly Environment Centre), St George (Hurstville, Kogarah, Rockdale) and Wingecarribee; the Aboriginal community in Cummeragunja (for also piloting the program); Peter Melser, Changeworks Pty Ltd (for his review of the pilot program); Robert Verhey, Local Government & Shires Associations; Mike Clancy, Evening & Community Colleges Association of NSW.
GRAHAME COLLIER
Manager Education
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Introduction
The Earth Works program is a community-based education program for waste minimisation, recycling and composting. It has two components. The first is a 25-hour, face-to-face course for community volunteers (the Earth Works course). After completing the course, volunteers conduct the second component, education outreach, which is designed to spread the knowledge, skills and values of reducing waste into the community. Earth Works is an interactive course that promotes involvement and is underpinned by sound adult learning principles.
Early in 1996, the EPA reached an agreement with the Evening and Community Colleges Association (ECCA) and the Local Government and Shires Associations (LGSA) on a number of models that could be used to continue delivering quality Earth Works programs throughout NSW. The agreement will run for two years from June 1996, after which it will be reviewed.
This Organisers Guide describes the different program models and defines the responsibilities of program organisers. It has been written for all organisations that may be interested in running a local Earth Works program, namely councils and the Adult Community Education (ACE) sector—community colleges, the WEA, and other local adult education groups. TAFE colleges, industry groups and local environment groups may also be interested.
Accompanying publications are the Earth Works Trainers Manual, Participants Notes and recruitment brochure.
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Background
In 1994 the people of NSW created 3.5 million tonnes of waste—over 550 kg per person. Waste has become a part of our daily lives, but it is having adverse effects on the environment. State and Federal governments are acting to reduce waste and conserve resources; the Commonwealth has adopted a target of 50% reduction in waste going to landfill by 2000, while NSW has adopted a target of a 60% reduction over the same time period.
The State Government's Waste Minimisation and Management Act 1995 sets in place a framework to meet this target through a number of legislative, economic and education mechanisms. The Act promotes state-wide community education on waste. Earth Works has been developed and launched within this context.
As a community education program, Earth Works tries to address waste in a holistic way and to focus on all the issues associated with waste minimisation. Contrary to community belief, recycling alone is not the answer to waste and resource-use problems. At best, recycling of non-organic materials can reduce domestic waste by 35% if it is fully taken up by communities.
Increased composting and mulching of organic waste (which comprises up to 50% of household waste) can significantly reduce the amount of garbage going to landfill. By offering a program that combines knowledge and skills in waste minimisation, recycling and composting with skills in communication, presentation and networking, Earth Works can help reduce the waste stream substantially.
The Earth Works program has been developed, piloted and evaluated over the past two years. The evaluation of the program showed that the community and local government have a strong interest in and need for education about waste minimisation and composting. These findings are congruent with the results of the EPA Who cares about the environment? research (1994) into the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours of the NSW public. The latter research identified waste and lack of education about the environment as the key causes of current environmental problems.
The pilot phase proved that the Earth Works program can raise community awareness of waste issues, act as a vehicle for community participation in key community issues, and foster government and community cooperation on an important environmental issue. Opportunities for real community participation are often limited, and Earth Works can play a potent role in empowering communities, especially when it is supported by local councils.
Each of the seven local councils that participated in the pilot reported that Earth Works had a beneficial impact on the relationship between council and community. The value that these councils placed on Earth Works is demonstrated by the level of support each gave to the education outreach component of the program. (See the section on 'How councils can support education outreach' for examples.)
Earth Works taps into the community's increasing levels of environmental awareness and gives people a chance to translate knowledge, interest and commitment into action. Earth Works has the capacity to draw on and value local knowledge and skills. The pilot showed that the program can effectively create a sense of community around environmental (and in particular waste) issues, interests and passions. This is a formidable way of finding and enacting solutions.
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Aims
The aims of Earth Works are to:
- increase community knowledge of waste issues, including waste minimisation and management
- increase household and community skills in waste minimisation
- promote and support waste minimisation behaviours
- promote positive attitudes towards the environment
- promote cooperative action in the community for improving the quality of the local environment.
The program is based on the belief that individuals acting together in community networks and in partnership with local councils and organisations can make a difference to waste creation and management and to the quality of their local environment.
Earth Works is part of a total local government program designed to minimise waste. The Waste Minimisation and Management Act sets out local government responsibilities in implementing initiatives designed to help meet waste reduction targets, and identifies funds to support those initiatives. The Earth Works program has been devised to help individual councils, groups of councils, or (in time) Regional Waste Boards to conduct community education about waste as part of their waste management plans.
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How Earth Works is organised
The Earth Works course consists of a 25-hour course run over a five-week period and divided as follows:
- 5 x 3 hour sessions held in a training room
- 2 x 5 hour practical field days.
The Trainers Manual that complements this guide is based on this structure. The course structure may be adjusted to suit local conditions and needs. For example, it is possible to run the course over four days.
The Earth Works program also includes the education outreach conducted in the community by the course participants.
The EPA aims to make Earth Works programs across NSW increasingly self-generating and self-sustaining, while maintaining their integrity.
Program Ownership
The Earth Works program will continue to be the property of the EPA. Councils, community colleges and other ACE providers and interested groups will be able to run the program under the terms outlined in this document.
Note that only registered Earth Works trainers may teach the Earth Works course.
The Delivery Models
Four course models were set up in the original agreement between the EPA, ECCA and LGSA, but there will be many possible ways of delivering the program within each of these models. The method chosen should accommodate the needs and capacities of the councils and other organisations involved, and should give participants a variety of options. The four models have been divided into preferred and fall-back groups.
The preferred models for the delivery of Earth Works courses are:
Model 1
Councils run the course; costs are met by council; participants may or may not be fee paying.
Model 2
Community colleges or other ACE providers run the course in partnership with council; costs are met partly or wholly by council and the colleges under a letter of agreement; participants may or may not be fee paying.
These models allow for councils (model 1) or councils in conjunction with community colleges (model 2) to initiate a course. In each situation the best arrangement needs to be decided on at a local level, but a partnership between councils and ACE providers is desirable.
The importance of promoting council ownership of the delivery has been recognised in the development of these models. Both models allow for individual councils or groups of councils to support the program. This support could include direct funding by subsidising participation, in-kind support by providing staff time and materials, or a combination of both. These models offer councils the flexibility of deciding what level of participation best suits their capacities.
Education outreach is central to the program's aims, and to be effective it needs good support. In all modes of delivery covered by these two models, councils are responsible for supporting the outreach component. Effective education outreach in the community has associated benefits for the local council. The main benefit is the reduction of the waste stream, with the associated savings. Other potential advantages are a closer relationship with the community, and a better local environment.
If you envisage a partnership arrangement you should establish it through a letter of agreement. Appendix 1 contains a sample letter of agreement; it has been included to help councils, colleges and other organising agencies formalise their partnerships and clarify their roles and responsibilities for the term of the agreement.
The fall-back models are outlined below. These may apply only if models 1 or 2 cannot be implemented within a specific local government area.
Model 3
Community colleges or other ACE providers run the course with full-fee paying participants.
Model 4
Local industry or community groups conduct the courses, either supported by council or participant self-funded.
These options can be used only if models 1 or 2 are not taken up. The ACE provider, community group or industry interested in running the program will have to contact the appropriate council(s) before initiating it; if the council is not interested in being involved in delivering the program, the organisation will have the right to run the Earth Works course itself for that calendar year.
Under Models 3 and 4, the organisation must be able to support education outreach effectively as well as conduct the course.
The Earth Works Trainers Register
To achieve the broadest delivery of Earth Works across NSW and to maintain the integrity of the program, a register of Earth Works trainers will be established. This will be managed by the EPA, and potential providers will gain access to it through LGSA, EPA and ECCA. All Earth Works courses must be run by registered Earth Works trainers.
Staff of councils and/or community colleges—as well as members of the community—are encouraged to apply for registration. Potential trainers who want to be put on the Trainers Register must complete the nomination form (Appendix 2), showing how they satisfy the following criteria.
Training/Education
a) qualifications (for example, Diploma/Certificate in Teaching, TAFE's Basic Methods of Instruction or Teaching and Learning, or ECCA's Teaching in ACE)
and/or
b) extensive experience that shows a capacity to apply adult learning principles to a level shown by those who satisfy requirement (a)
An Understanding of the Following
- waste policy issues at local and state levels
- the relevant environmental issues and contexts for waste management
- waste minimisation issues, models and practices
- composting theory and practice
Skills in the Following
- waste minimisation practices
- composting and worm farming
- working for change within communities
- communication and interpersonal relationships.
As well as satisfying these criteria, applicants will have to complete an Earth Works course, including education outreach, before they can register. Applicants must also have their nominations endorsed by the local council and ACE provider.
To find registered trainers, councils and other organisers should contact the EPA, LGSA or ECCA. Contact details are provided in Appendix 3.
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How to initiate and run an Earth Works course
The flow diagram below suggests how an Earth Works course should be run. It also shows the potential results and relationships that may come out of the program.
If you want to organise and run an Earth Works program in your local area, there are several steps you will need to follow. To some extent these are determined by the sort of organisation you represent. If you are not a local council, remember that the Earth Works course can be run independently of council (using models 3 and 4) only if you contact the council beforehand.
If you are a council
- if council will organise the course in partnership with or independently of the local ACE provider; if you decide on a partnership approach, negotiate and complete a letter of agreement with the college (see Appendix 1 for a sample letter) and determine how costs will be met.
- how the education outreach will be supported.
- a registered Earth Works trainer to run the course by contacting the EPA, ECCA or LGSA for a list of registered trainers.
- venues and dates; promote the course; select and confirm participants.
- the materials for the course: Participants Notes, and classroom and practical day materials. (See Appendix 2.)
- and evaluate the course and support the education outreach.
Later in this guide you will find more specific information about how councils might approach the Earth Works program and support the outreach component.
If you are a community college or other ACE provider
- Determine whether the college will organise the course in partnership with or independently of the local council. In both instances a letter of agreement with the council needs to be completed. (See Appendix 1 for a sample letter.) Determine how costs will be met.
- Determine how the education outreach will be supported.
- Contract a registered Earth Works trainer to conduct the course by contacting the EPA, ECCA or LGSA for a list of registered trainers.
- Organise venues and dates; promote the course; select and confirm participants.
- Organise the materials for the course: Participants Notes, and classroom and practical day materials. (See Appendix 2.)
- Run and evaluate the course and support education outreach.
If you are a local community organisation or an industry
- Contact the local council in the area where the course is to be run to find out whether it is interested in being involved in the delivery of the program. Complete a letter of agreement valid for one calendar year. (See Appendix 1 for a sample letter.) Determine how costs will be met.
- Determine how the education outreach will be supported.
- Contract a registered Earth Works trainer to conduct the course by contacting the EPA, ECCA or LGSA for a list of registered trainers.
- Organise venues and dates; promote the course; select and confirm participants.
- Organise the materials for the course: Participants Notes, and classroom and practical day materials. (See Appendix 2.)
- Conduct and evaluate the course and support the education outreach.
The examples above do not rule out the possibility that a variety of partnership arrangements could be established. For example, a local industry might negotiate to run the program in collaboration with the local council or community college.
Other responsibilities of organisers
If you wish, you may ask participants to commit themselves to do an amount of outreach that is in proportion to the costs of the course. For example, it is suggested that full-fee paying participants be asked to complete 25 hours of education outreach before they are given their outreach certificates. You should make any expectations about outreach commitments clear when you are promoting the course.
You will need to set up a way of collecting names and information on outreach activities. You will also be responsible for distributing the outreach certificates; this is best done at a presentation ceremony in the final session.
Earth Works: process and potential results
You will have to give special consideration to the location and maintenance of the composting demonstration site established on the composting practical day. You must discuss this in your early planning; the maintenance of the site will probably need to be part of your outreach agreement with the course participants, and this site maintenance may involve further minor costs.
You may wish to consider inviting a special guest to welcome participants and open the course. This person could also be invited to distribute the certificates in the final session.
As an organising agency, you have the opportunity to model and support low waste practices. Give a clear message of integrity by supplying reusable cups for the drinks you provide during the course.
If you need further advice, you may wish to consult people who have organised earlier courses; see Appendix 3 for contact details.
Examples of community recruitment strategies are provided in the section Ideas for recruitment.
Costs
There are a number of costs associated with running an Earth Works course, including the course leader's fees, the materials required for the two practical days, the provision of a bus, and the no/low waste lunch on the first practical day. Many of the materials needed for the composting practical are kept and used by councils. Councils can also usually supply a bus, so the driver's wage may be the only cost incurred. (If private cars have to be used at any stage, consider car pooling.) The Earth Works Trainers Manual gives more details of the items needed for each session, but you should be aware of the following costs.
- Your organisation should cover the costs of the no/low waste lunch during the waste practical. In this activity participants buy lunch items that produce minimal packaging and other waste. Typically the cost for this lunch is about $3 per participant.
- There may be costs for providing insurance cover for participants doing their outreach. You must carefully consider and deal with your insurance needs before the course begins.
- The Earth Works trainer must be paid fees that are in line with those paid to trainers by local ACE providers. Negotiate a fee with the trainer before the course starts.
A sample of the course costs, based on 25 participants is:
Trainer's fee—25 hours @ $33/hour $ 825
Refreshments for 25 participants $ 60
No/low waste lunch for 25 @ $3/participant $ 75
Materials (composting day)* $ 400
Materials (including t-shirts) $ 200
Bus $ 100
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Total $1,660 Total per participant: $ 66
* estimated as cost of buying all materials needed.
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How councils can use the Earth Works program
Councils can use the Earth Works program in a variety of ways. It can form a part of a council's total waste management package to:
- educate towards local waste minimisation practices
- promote and support the use of council waste management services
- establish effective networks of communication and environmental activism
- support local environment groups and industries keen to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.
Councils may also:
- require at least one of their officers to seek registration as a Earth Works trainer
- integrate waste minimisation responsibilities (including Earth Works) into the activities of the Regional Waste Board
- work closely with other councils to integrate Earth Works into a regional waste management strategy.
How councils can support education outreach
Earlier in this guide delivery models 1 and 2 were discussed. These rely on councils supporting the education outreach component of Earth Works. Experiences so far show that well supported outreach can help council-community relationships and have an impact on the waste stream.
Because outreach can take many forms, council support can vary from direct funding to in-kind support. The nature of council support is described below, and case studies are also given of how outreach was supported in the pilot programs.
It is important to bear in mind that many of the community members doing Earth Works will be enthusiastic and prepared to do enormous amounts of free educational work; this has certainly been the experience of the pilot. However, councils must clarify how much support they can give, so that participants can have realistic expectations of what they can achieve.
Councils may want to set up their own systems for rewarding people for doing extensive education outreach. These rewards may be based on how far they have spread the message in the community, or the amount of positive feedback.
Outreach support could include:
- employing a designated officer with Earth Works responsibilities
- nominating one or more officers as council Earth Works supporters with specific responsibilities for liaising with Earth Workers
- helping participants from previous courses support the outreach component
- establishing and maintaining demonstration sites in public areas (such as adjoining local swimming pools and parks
- providing logistical and clerical support for demonstrations, displays and other local events
- producing a video of council waste minimisation strategies, including Earth Works, for use in outreach activities
- supporting Earth Works participation in local fairs
- organising regular meetings of past Earth Workers
- producing local waste minimisation print materials
- providing multiple copies of EPA or other relevant printed material
- promoting Earth Works in local media, including the local radio
- supporting the production of a regular Earth Works newsletter.
Trainer support
The Earth Works trainers are a valuable resource. It is important to understand what they need to plan and deliver the courses. Councils or other Earth Works organisers who contract these trainers may wish to hold regular meetings for updates on local and state environment initiatives and for sharing training ideas. Organisers may consider creating trainer teams to conduct the course.
Case studies of council support for outreach
Examples of the type of outreach from four councils participating in the pilot phase of Earth Works are included below to demonstrate the potential for creative ways of supporting education outreach in the local area.
St George Area
Three councils (Kogarah, Hurstville, Rockdale) cooperated in Earth Works delivery and outreach support. In 1994 a World Environment Day 'Gala Day' focused on waste minimisation in the community and industry. Earth Works participants staffed a number of stalls, providing information and materials and conducting demonstrations. Costs to the councils were about $2,500 (in total) for subsidised compost bins, free trees and shrubs, brochures, stalls and other organisational expenses. There was a lot of in-kind support for this event. There were also monthly demonstration days and fetes at which council staff helped out.
Canterbury Council
The program has been given high priority at Canterbury City Council since the council's very first course in 1993. An officer has been employed to coordinate Earth Works responsibilities. Outreach support has included materials and officer time for regular demonstrations, fetes and shopping centre displays. A newsletter is produced regularly. Additional costs for outreach support are described as negligible, as Earth Works is built into the council's budget.
Lismore City Council
Recognising the importance of supporting outreach, Lismore City Council has employed an Earth Works Officer to promote and coordinate courses and support outreach activities in the community. The council has included Earth Works demonstrations in other events, such as the launch of Drop-Off Centres, the Lismore National Show, Farmarama (a three-day agricultural field display). An Earth Works demonstration stall is regularly placed in local shopping centres. For such events, the council has provided travel and meal allowances, as well as posters and other necessary print materials. Lismore Council has also established a library of waste minimisation resources. An outreach drama troupe, The Re-Psyche-Gals, is being supported to perform in schools.
Wingecarribee Shire Council
Over a period of two years, twelve Earth Works demonstrations have been run at the established demonstration site at Bowral Pool. Council provides set-up materials (worms farms and compost bins) and distributes waste minimisation brochures at each demonstration. Council provides free promotion in the local press for the demonstrations, and occasionally council staff help out on the day. Costs are minimal. In-kind support includes organising bi-monthly Earth Works meetings and producing a regular newsletter.
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How the EPA will support Earth Works
The EPA has made a commitment to provide ongoing support for the program. This will include:
- promoting Earth Works across NSW
- developing the Earth Works Trainers Register and sharing its administration with ECCA and LGSA
- giving organisers and trainers access to EPA print materials through Pollution Line (131 555)
- evaluating Earth Works after two years.
Support for organisers
The EPA will give organisers the following materials:
- Earth Works: Living with Less Waste—Participants Notes. A free copy of this manual will be available to all organisers and to each course participant.
- Earth Works: Learning to Live with Less Waste—Trainers Manual. A free copy of the Trainers Manual will be available to all organisers who are intending to run an Earth Works program. However, the video described in this guide will be issued only to registered trainers.
- a brochure to promote Earth Works courses in your local community
- a bromide of the Earth Works logo. This bromide may be used only to promote the program on posters or banners. The logo may not be used on items that will be sold. It may be used on the t-shirts given to participants; the participants can promote the program by wearing the t-shirts while they are doing their outreach.
- certificates for completion of the Earth Works 25-hour course and completion of outreach (signed by the organising agency).
The EPA also has some print material available on waste issues. Phone 131 555 for the following materials:
- the brochures Reducing Waste in NSW and Home Composting: It's Important. The first 50 copies are free, then 10 cents a copy thereafter. Discounts are available for bulk orders.
- the booklet Home Composting: Recycling Household Organic Waste. The first 10 copies are free, then 50 cents a copy thereafter. Discounts are available for bulk orders.
Support for registered trainers
For all registered Earth Works trainers, the EPA will provide the following materials:
- Earth Works: Living with Less Waste—Trainers Manual (including video)
- Earth Works: Living with Less Waste—Participants Notes
- a package of other EPA resources
- a certificate of registration
- an Earth Works t-shirt.
In 1997 the EPA will also run in-service courses for those who are already working as trainers.
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Ideas for recruitment
Every council and every council area will have its own unique formal and informal opportunities to promote Earth Works and recruit community members to the course. As people volunteer for a number of different reasons (including altruism, social interests and self-interest), it is wise to consider a variety of approaches when you are promoting participation in Earth Works.
The following recruitment strategies were used by councils participating in the pilot phase.
- local newspapers: media releases, photos, advertising in classifieds, regular columns (environment, Mayor's column)
- direct mail: community members who bought compost bins from the council; local community groups; the whole community through rates notices; schools and other training institutions
- an introductory Earth Works evening: open to the public, or by invitation only to leaders of local community groups and/or local industries
- displays: at public events and local festivals; at composting demonstration sites; in shopping centres
- posters/fliers: on bulletin boards in libraries, shopping centres and community centres; in schools and local training institutions
- networks: staff; community
- local radio: advertisements; guest spots on regular programs.
You may be able informally to evaluate the success of your recruitment strategies by asking participants in the Earth Works courses how they found out about them.
Note also that the EPA will give all organisers recruitment brochures. These brochures will be designed so that you can include your own contact details.
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Letter of agreement
On the next page is a sample letter of agreement between a hypothetical council and its local community college. Whenever an Earth Works course is run (except under model 1, where councils may run the course) a letter like this must be drafted and signed. For models 3 and 4, this letter will be evidence that the conditions for using the models are met.
A letter of agreement is valid for all courses run in one calendar year. It should confirm roles and responsibilities in relation to each of the following items:
- recruitment of course participants
- contracting of a registered trainer
- course costs
- providing materials for the course (for example, mulch, sleepers, soil, worm farms, compost bins, pallets)
- providing training facilities
- delivery of the entire course, including field days
- support for the education outreach component of the program
- other local issues relevant to delivery.
(SAMPLE ONLY)
Letter of Agreement
This letter outlines the agreement between Capilano City Council and the Cypress Regional Community College (CRCC) regarding the delivery of Earth Works courses for the period of 1 April 1996 to 31 December 1996.
CRCC agrees to deliver at least two Earth Works courses during this period and shall be responsible for:
- contracting an Earth Works Registered Trainer
- providing a site for tuition
- providing a site for the composting and no-dig garden field day activities
- coordinating recruitment of course participants
- advertising Earth Works in its regular program at a cost of $80.
Capilano City Council shall be responsible for:
- subsidising course costs (at $20 per participant payable to CRCC)
- promoting Earth Works and contributing to recruitment activities by advertising in the local press and conducting a letterbox drop of Earth Works brochures
- providing Earth Works Participants Notes
- giving a presentation on its local waste policies and programs at one of the lessons
- providing bus transport for the field trip to the Capilano Regional Waste Management Park (CRWMP); this includes access to the CRWMP and a guide for a two hour tour
- meeting the cost of the no/low waste lunch on the waste practical day
- providing the materials described in the Earth Works Trainers Manual for the composting and no-dig garden field day
- supporting the education outreach of the program through its Waste Education Officer.
The terms of this letter of agreement are binding for the period stated above. Any changes to this agreement require endorsement by both parties.
Signed
.................................................................................... date..........................................
General Manager
Capilano City Council
.................................................................................... date..........................................
Principal
Cypress Regional Community College
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Page last updated: 27 February 2011
