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Reducing solid waste in higher education: The first step towards ‘greening’ a university campus

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  • Smyth, Danielle P.
  • Fredeen, Arthur L.
  • Booth, Annie L.

Abstract

Comprehensive solid waste management programs are one of the greatest challenges to achieving campus sustainability. Conducting a waste characterization study is a critical first step in successful waste management planning and advancing the overall sustainability of an institution of higher education. This paper reports on a waste characterization study that was conducted at the Prince George campus of the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). The aim of the study was to determine the amount and composition of waste generated within key campus operational areas and to provide recommendations to senior university administration on strategies for waste minimization, higher rates of recycling and composting and improving the overall sustainability of the campus waste management program. It was determined that during the 2007–2008 academic year the Prince George campus produced between 1.2 and 2.2metric tonnes of waste per week, of which more than 70% could have been diverted through waste reduction, recycling and composting activities. Paper and paper products, disposable drink containers and compostable organic material represented three of the most significant material types for targeted waste reduction and recycling efforts. Various educational and policy techniques, which may be used to promote campus community waste minimization behaviours in the long term, are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Smyth, Danielle P. & Fredeen, Arthur L. & Booth, Annie L., 2010. "Reducing solid waste in higher education: The first step towards ‘greening’ a university campus," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(11), pages 1007-1016.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:54:y:2010:i:11:p:1007-1016
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.02.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kaplowitz, Michael D. & Yeboah, Felix K. & Thorp, Laurie & Wilson, Aimee M., 2009. "Garnering input for recycling communication strategies at a Big Ten University," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(11), pages 612-623.
    2. Amutenya, N. & Shackleton, C.M. & Whittington-Jones, K., 2009. "Paper recycling patterns and potential interventions in the education sector: A case study of paper streams at Rhodes University, South Africa," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(5), pages 237-242.
    3. Harris, B.K. & Probert, E.J., 2009. "Waste minimisation at a Welsh university: A viability study using choice modelling," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(5), pages 269-275.
    4. Frank Convery & Simon McDonnell & Susana Ferreira, 2007. "The most popular tax in Europe? Lessons from the Irish plastic bags levy," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 38(1), pages 1-11, September.
    5. Parizeau, Kate & Maclaren, Virginia & Chanthy, Lay, 2006. "Waste characterization as an element of waste management planning: Lessons learned from a study in Siem Reap, Cambodia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 49(2), pages 110-128.
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    1. Mochamad Arief Budihardjo & Natasya Ghinna Humaira & Soraya Annisa Putri & Bimastyaji Surya Ramadan & Syafrudin Syafrudin & Eflita Yohana, 2021. "Sustainable Solid Waste Management Strategies for Higher Education Institutions: Diponegoro University, Indonesia Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Vasile Gherheș & Mariana Cernicova-Buca & Marcela Alina Fărcașiu & Adina Palea, 2021. "Romanian Students’ Environment-Related Routines during COVID-19 Home Confinement: Water, Plastic, and Paper Consumption," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-24, August.
    3. M. A. Vázquez & R. Plana & C. Pérez & M. Soto, 2020. "Development of Technologies for Local Composting of Food Waste from Universities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-20, May.
    4. Baldwin, Erika & Dripps, Weston, 2012. "Spatial characterization and analysis of the campus residential waste stream at a small private Liberal Arts Institution," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 107-115.

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