As part of a collection Feasibility Study, ShapardResearch (as a subcontractor to GBB) carefully designed and conducted a survey of households in Burlington and South Burlington to generate actionable data and information, enabling the District to make the best data-driven decisions for the successful future of its system.

As a first step, the GBB/ShapardResearch team compiled a list of information needed from the District, including general information on solid waste services and facilities in both cities; information on the Cities; information on existing and potential solid waste management programs and activities; past solid waste management data reports; and results of any previous public feedback activities. A kickoff meeting was then held to gain an understanding of the District’s goals for the household survey, learn of any specific issues or policies that might affect it, and begin developing the survey questions.

The survey instrument was then designed by the team with input from the District and both cities. A dual frame of Random Digit Dialed landlines and cell phones for adults living in the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington was recommended, given the increasing proportion of the population transitioning to cell phone-only households. The team also developed the survey instrument for review by the District and both cities before being finalized.

Upon the District’s approval to proceed with the survey, data collection was conducted by telephone within ShapardResearch’s calling center using Computer-aided Telephone Interviewing (CATI) technology. As a final and key step, the team analyzed the survey results and prepared a contextual report that included a quantitative analysis of responses regarding attitudes toward volume pricing combined with a qualitative comparison of attitudes toward volume pricing to the experience of solid waste managers in other communities; statistical analysis of favorability towards certain containers contrasted with industry field experience with the favored or disfavored container types; and, an evaluation of interest in recycling among survey respondents compared to participation rates in municipalities similar to the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington, VT.