Action Research completed a contract with the University of Tennessee, Center for Industrial Services to design and implement a community-based social marketing program to promote the agricultural use of FGD-gypsum (a coal combustion by-product) generated by nearby energy plants. Services included focus groups with local farmers, strategy development and program evaluation.
Action Research is applying an innovative community-based social marketing approach to assist waste haulers and local municipalities with increasing recycling behaviors in residential areas. The innovative approach includes waste characterization studies of trash bins designed to identify current baseline recycling behaviors. The approach also includes in-person surveys of households to identify attitudes and beliefs related to recycling and trash as well as barriers to proper disposal. Using the results from the foundational research, Action Research is developing and piloting campaigns in a number of states.