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Encouraging Recycling in the Jewish Community in Hackney
Summary
The London Borough of Hackney has the largest Orthodox Jewish community in the country. To reach out to the community the Borough Council consulted with community leaders to jointly develop plans for facilitating involvement in recycling programmes.
Contact was made with an umbrella organisation, the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, to increase awareness and support for recycling. An Orthodox Jewish canvasser was identified for a door knocking campaign in the community. The Borough Council is funding the campaign and providing translated information materials. During Passover, when old belongings are thrown away, the Council provides a bulky household waste collection service. Items collected are refurbished and resold locally.
Barriers identified include: lack of trust in people from outside the community; language (to a lesser extent).
Key motivators
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Door-knockers from within the Orthodox Jewish community.
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Translated materials: although English is widely spoken, materials in Yiddish were a motivator for people who related more easily to messages from a more familiar source.
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Connections between religion and everyday culture: these links were emphasised in information materials.
Top tips to their success
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Take advantage of community group leaders and umbrella organisations: leaders and umbrella organisations can influence smaller community groups who respond positively to a trusted source they already know. Working through the Jewish Union strengthened relations with the community.
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Use religion as a way to reach out to peoples’ hearts and minds: quotes from the bible connecting recycling with faith encouraged sustainable lifestyles.
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Use door-knockers from the community to foster a sense of trust in the project.
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Part –ownership: with the Jewish Union produced a greater sense of responsibility.
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Be sensitive to language even with English speakers: although language was not a primary barrier, door-knockers who could speak Yiddish inspired trust and helped the community relate to the messages.
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Actively seek feedback: to continue adapting and streamlining the project.
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Be flexible, patient and consistent: the community group/s need to know that you are serious about the project and about their involvement as partners.
Contact details
Ola Bankole, Assistant Recycling Officer
London Borough of Hackney
020 8356 4939
Ola.Bankole@Hackney.gov.uk
