RECYCLING PROGRAM MATERIALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO PROMOTE RECYCLING
Natural Resources/Aquaculture
Steven Yergeau
Environmental and Resource Management Agent
Rutgers University Cooperative Extension
Toms River
Abstract
Millions of tons of plastic, trash, and other debris reach our coasts and ends up in our oceans. Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other partners to develop the Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Action Plan, published in May 2021. The action plan outlines goals and objectives for the partners to achieve a reduction in the amount of marine debris entering local waters. One goal is to engage at least 50,000 people in educational interactions that will promote the reduction of common consumer debris items, such as single-use plastics, by 2026. Social media was seen as one of the best ways to quickly interact with a large audience, but only through targeted messaging. RCE currently has fact sheets with information on recycling wetsuits and proper disposal of marine flares. These were used to develop informational graphics as part of a social media messaging campaign in the last half of 2021. These messages included a series of Facebook posts on the RCE of Ocean County page (https://www.facebook.com/RCEOceanCounty) covering wetsuit recycling, proper disposal of marine boating flares, and the 2021 New Jersey plastic pollution law. The social media messages were posted on Facebook on a weekly basis in the fall of 2021 and again in spring 2022. The fall 2021 messages generated 3,597 views and 164 engagements (likes, shares, comments, etc.) and 292 connections to the online fact sheets. This presentation focuses on the particulars of starting a social media messaging effort and tips and trick to make the process easier, yet impactful, by recycling available program materials.
Authors: Steven Yergeau
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Steven Yergeau Environmental and Resource Management Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08755-1199