Program on the Environment

Plastic pollution driven by corporations producing single-use plastics is an increasing threat to environments, wildlife, and communities in Washington state. Extended producer responsibility (EPR), a system that holds plastic producers financially responsible for post-consumer handling of plastics, can increase recycling rate and equity in Washington, but needs broader public support to pass. This project intended to determine the most effective outreach strategies in communicating about EPR to youth and how to drive student engagement on addressing plastic waste. To do this, I worked with the lobbying group Environment Washington on in-person and virtual outreach initiatives, including organizing a lobby day, presenting to student organizations, and conducting online outreach on a Students That Oppose Plastic Pollution sign-on letter delivered to legislators. I also analyzed survey data and anecdotal evidence on the most effective messaging and the most appealing ways of further engagement. Evidence shows that messaging centering direct impacts, climate change, and thorough context were particularly motivating, and that in-person outreach was much more effective in driving action, especially when leveraging pre-existing relationships. Additionally, students were twice as likely to engage in low-effort actions, such as sharing the letter with friends, compared to high-effort, more fulfilling actions such as attending a lobby day. These findings inform outreach strategies allowing EPR and other environmental legislation to pass in Washington by engaging the youth, a critical demographic in driving environmental action. Addressing plastic pollution is critical in protecting Washington’s environment, wildlife, communities, and hope for an equitable, sustainable future.