Advancing an Issue With Policymakers

Situation:

Commercial waste hauling companies in New York City were burdened with outdated rate regulation, which did not allow them to pass along increased operating costs to customers. The system forced tremendous losses to stay in business. The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) had commissioned an independent audit of its members' operations, which demonstrated the economic toll commercial rate caps were creating, and needed to get the word out.

Solution:

We helped the association develop and execute a communication campaign to reach key decisionmakers in the New York Mayor's office, the City Council and regulatory agencies with the message that the rate system must be changed to preserve reliable commercial collection service. The effort included policymaker briefings, testimony before key City Council committees, and editorial board meetings and media interviews with industry CEOs.

Results:

The communication campaign created awareness of the problem at all levels of city government. Elected officials and regulators agreed the rate system was overdue for reform and granted rate relief to the industry.