Public Perception of Biosolids Recycling: Developing Public Participation and Earning Trust

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This report provides an overview of the current public perception and public acceptance of biosolids recycling in North America. It provides conceptual models for understanding the development of current public perceptions, including the influence of many factors-technical issues, typical human responses, communications, information, politics, and social context. The report includes an annotated bibliography and narrative review of recent literature regarding public perceptions and public acceptance of biosolids recycling. Fourteen succinct case studies provide more detailed information on representative biosolids recycling program experiences. There are examples of biosolids management programs that have failed because of public controversy, as well as programs that have worked well, with community support. The latter programs have several things in common: they are well-run operations following best management practices, their benefits to communities and the environment are obvious, they communicate well with-and involve-stakeholders, most were introduced to communities through a respectful, mutually-beneficial communication process, and they had strong organizational commitment behind these public outreach efforts. In order to assess current public knowledge and perception regarding biosolids recycling, a survey was conducted for this project by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.