A solid waste audit and directions for waste reduction at the University of British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

A novel design for a solid waste audit was developed and applied to the University of British Columbia, Canada, in 1998. This audit was designed to determine the characteristics of the residual solid waste generated by the campus and provide directions for waste reduction. The methodology was constructed to address complications in solid waste sampling, including spatial and temporal variation in waste, extrapolation from the study area, and study validation. Accounting for spatial effects decreased the variation in calculating total waste loads. Additionally, collecting information on user flow provided a means to decrease daily variation in solid waste and allow extrapolation over time and space. The total annual waste estimated from the experimental design was compared to documented values and was found to differ by -18%. The majority of this discrepancy was likely attributable to the unauthorised disposal of construction and demolition waste. Several options were proposed to address waste minimisation goals. These included: enhancing the current recycling program, source reduction of plastic materials, and/or diverting organic material to composting (maximum diversion: approximately 320, approximately 270, and approximately 1510 t yr(-1), respectively). The greatest diversion by weight would be accomplished through the diversion of organic material, as it was estimated to comprise 70% of the projected waste stream. The audit methodology designed is most appropriate for facilities/regions that have a separate collection system for seasonal wastes and have a means for tracking user flow.

Solid waste management response of selected public secondary school science teachers

“…The institution accommodates the bulk of younger population and must be given proper training on SWM. Further, schools with better SWM practice showed positive response by providing SW recycling options (Smyth et al, 2010;Mbuligwe, 2002;Mason et al, 2003;Malakahmad et al, 2010;Kelly et al, 2006;Felder et al, 2001;De Vega et al, 2003;. Consequently, schools can implement a structure to mitigate SWM issues.…”

Sustainability and solid waste management in higher education: an inquiry into the composition and management of solid waste at the University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George campus

“…Planning a waste characterization study requires many considerations, ranging from the selection of sorting categories, to techniques for capturing the spatial and temporal variation of the waste (Felder et al 2001). The challenge is to collect waste generation and composition data which is representative of the entire campus, with the intention that plans for waste reduction and diversion will be based on the reality of the existing campus waste stream.…”

“…Also, few papers have been published that report the results of campus waste characterization studies (Felder et al 2001;Armijo de Vega et al 2008) creating further challenges for accessing data. Of these papers only a single study can be found for a Canadian IHE (Felder et al 2001).…”

“…Of these papers only a single study can be found for a Canadian IHE (Felder et al 2001). The lack of characterization studies at Canadian and North American IHE suggests the need for documentation and research into waste generation and composition, to provide the necessary data for promoting sustainable campus waste management.…”

“…Many institutions of higher learning have indicated that 'knowing your waste' is essential for the effective planning of successful environmental management and recycling programs (de Kadt 1994; Thompson and van Bakel 1995;Abu Qdais 1997;Mason et al 2003;Rappaport and Creighton 2003). Detailed quantitative data on the amount, location, and characteristics of the waste stream (Thompson and van Bakel1995 ;Yu and Maclaren 1995;Dowie et al 1998;Felder et al 2001;Mason et al 2003 ;Dahlen et al 2007) can be collected using a variety of techniques:…”