Assessment of Barriers and Potential Improvements on Recycling at Fitchburg State University

Presenter

Mary Kate Moreau

Campus

Fitchburg State University

Sponsor

Elizabeth Gordon, Department of Environmental, Geographic, and Public Health Sciences, Fitchburg State University

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A32, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 2 (A21-A40) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

This project aims to describe the recycling system at Fitchburg State, any barriers that prevent that system from being more effective, and potential solutions to those barriers, as the recycling here has been characterized as “chronically low.” I took a study abroad course to Peru, focusing on plastic pollution and the negative effects of pollution on the environment. My experience with living in the dorms here, along with taking courses that talked about recycling and pollution piqued my interest to see how Fitchburg State recycling compares to other universities’ recycling. 

I conducted an inventory of trash and recycling bins in campus buildings, to evaluate accessibility to bins. I have also interviewed several staff within Capital Planning and Maintenance to get their point of view on recycling on campus, and most recently sent a survey to all students and staff on campus to also gather their thoughts and concerns. Based on interviews and a preliminary analysis of the survey results, the campus community has misunderstandings of how the recycling system works and has the perception that their waste does not actually get recycled. More detailed conclusions will be drawn with further analysis of the survey results. I am comparing these barriers to those seen on other campuses and municipalities, as well as what solutions have been successful. These conclusions will help me to suggest potential solutions to improve participation in recycling at Fitchburg State, and can hopefully be applied to other settings and locations to also improve recycling there.

Keywords

waste management, sustainability , recycling

Research Area

Environmental Science and Sustainability

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