EVALUATING MUNICIPAL POLICY: AN ANALYSIS OF A REFUSE‐PACKAGING PROGRAM¹

Abstract

The effect of a municipal enforcement program to improve residents' packaging of refuse was analyzed in a multiple-baseline design across two areas of a city. The enforcement program involved instruction concerning refuse-packaging regulations, collection only of appropriately packaged refuse, and feedback notices to residents concerning the reasons for noncollection of their inadequately packaged refuse. Both the number of violations and the percentage of residences violating each day were markedly reduced during the enforcement program. Furthermore, sanitation workers considered that the packaging of refuse and the safety and efficiency of refuse collection had improved. This study served as a pilot evaluation of a policy change in the city sanitation department, and was functional in determining the direction of that policy.

Adoption of Innovations From Applied Behavioral Research: “Does Anybody Care?”

“…Even so, the consultant group showed significantly more "movement toward" establishing lodges than did the manual group (Fairweather, 1980a, p. 39 Trash-packaging program. After researchers (Stokes & Fawcett, 1977) had experimentally demonstrated that a particular enforcement system was effective in getting city residents to package their trash properly, the new technology was adopted by the city commission passing an ordinance implementing the system (Stokes,Note 4).…”

“…When the research results showed that the experimental enforcement procedure was successful in improving trash packaging, an implementation plan was developed (Stokes & Fawcett, 1977) jointly by the city management staff and the sanitation workers, who together recommended to the city commission some changes from the procedures used in the research. Prior to adopting the implementation plan, the city commission made some changes of its own.…”

“…Research data showed that the innovation was effective. In the trash-packaging example, Stokes and Fawcett's (1977) study showed that the enforcement system devised was effective. In the Job Clubs example, Azrin and his associates (Azrin et al, 1975;Jones & Azrin, 1973) The potential adoptor had a pressing management problem.…”

“…Stokes and Fawcett (1977) (Azrin,Note 12). The state commissioners proposed that the secretary adopt the Achievement Place model; none of the original researchers was directly involved in that recommendation.…”

Effects of Environmental Design and Police Enforcement on Violations of a Handicapped Parking Ordinance

“…Issues have included littering (Geller, Winett, & Everett, 1982), trash packaging (Stokes & Fawcett, 1977), city crime (Schnelle, Kirchner, Casey, Uselton, & McNees, 1977), and speeding (Van Houten & Nau, 1983;Van Houten et al, 1985).…”