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Assessing and Improving Sustainability: Case Study at CSU, Fullerton. Maelynn Dickson, Graduate Student | Kristy Morehead, Graduate Department of Geography | California State University, Fullerton Urban sustainability is increasingly important, given the expansion of urban areas and populations. To mitigate urban impacts by 2020, California has set a goal of 75% reduction alongside the CSU system’s goal of 80% reduction in solid waste. In Fall 2015, the 14 students in Geography 370 (Cities and Suburbs) took part in an on-campus research project in collaboration with Facilities Management. This research evaluates waste management at the scale of an entire university building by employing "user" surveys, making observations, and preforming waste bin and dumpster audits. Our findings inform specific, actionable recommendations for the enhancement of recycling operations. The results will help CSUF Facilities Management improve recycling diversion rates and can contribute to meeting state- mandated targets for solid waste reduction. This project seeks to evaluate and enhance waste management at California State University, Fullerton. We asked three questions aimed towards the first building on campus to acquire both waste and recycle bins: 1. How is waste being sorted and managed within McCarthy Hall? 2. What are the missed opportunities in McCarthy Hall in terms of recycling? 3. What are the perceptions and behaviors related to waste management and recycling among students and staff in McCarthy Hall? I. Floor Audits (10/23-10/30): Floor audits to make sure trash and recycling bins were correctly placed throughout the building. II. Bin Audits (10/14-11/18): Observations of trash & recycling bins. III. Dumpster Audits (11/9-11/10): Audits of contents of 2 trash dumpsters and 2 recycling dumpsters. Sorting and weighing of trash & recycling materials found in the dumpsters. IV. Student and Staff Surveys (11/4-11/28): Recycling survey distribution to students and staff/faculty. I.Introduction II. Statement of Purpose I. Floor Audits II. Bin Audits III. Dumpster Audits After analyzing the data, we produced a list of recommendations that could be applied towards achieving CSUF’s zero waste goal. Implementing these recommendations could make recycling more effective, not only in McCarthy Hall, but across the whole campus. 1. Remove ALL “old” style trash cans. 2. All trash cans should be accompanied with recycling bins. 3. Provide more waste/recycling pairings, including in offices and restrooms. 4. Place more visual posters/signage in front or near every waste/recycling pairing. 5. Further educate the students, staff, and faculty. • Create education booths around campus. • Remind custodial staff about the proper use of bin liners. • Add a small section of “green” education during new/transfer student orientation, University Studies 100. 6. Create incentives for students to dispose of trash properly. 7. Provide information about recycling successes. The three research questions, and their respective answers, are as follows: 1. How is waste being sorted and managed within McCarthy Hall? ● As a whole, McCarthy Hall diverted almost 2 tons of recyclables away from the landfill and has an 11% diversion rate. ● Recyclables are still being disposed of in trash bins 2. What are the missed opportunities in McCarthy Hall in terms of recycling? ● Disconnections between the custodial staff as well as a general lack of knowledge on the “user” side, with respect to what is recyclable versus what is not. ● The diversion rate could increase from 11% to 39% if these disconnections were rectified. 3. What are the perceptions and behaviors related to waste management and recycling among students and staff in McCarthy Hall? ● The faculty, students, and staff believe recycling is important, but results do not reflect this information. IV. Results VI. Conclusions VII. Acknowledgements Estimated Yearly Totals (tons) III. Methods V. Recommendations Correctly Vs. Incorrectly Used Bins Correctly used Incorrectly used B. 45% of the bins were used incorrectly: A. We conducted 366 observations of waste and recycling bins. C. The most common incorrect items: 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 32% 26% 50% 22% Non Reusable Cups Chip Bags Paper Bottles and Cans Trash Bins Recycling Bins D. Signage contributes to proper waste sorting: 75% 25% Bins with Accompanying Signage Correct Incorrect 43% 57% Bins without Accompanying Signage A. We found more than just trash inside the waste bins: Trash Recycle A. We conducted audits of all 7 floors. B. Each floor had different issues. C. We generated new maps for each floor. 203 bins, 55% 163 bins, 45% 7.4 tons, 39% 11.4 tons, 61% 70% 5% 9% 8% 8% Total Recyclables in Trash (2 Days) Cardboard and Paper Aluminum Cans Plastic Plastic Bottles and Plastic *145.5 pounds of recyclables in trash C. Proper sorting could increase diversion from the current 11%. B. The most common un-recycled items:
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