Assignment 2.1
For my final report, I decided to write on the “Feasibility of a Recycling/ Waste Reduction Program at the University Village Food Court,” a popular location for diverse food on UBC campus. The proposal below is a revised version of my first proposal, having edited it to become more concise. I also changed it to be “recommendations” report rather than a “feasibility” report.
To: Dr. Erika Paterson
From: Andree Coschizza
Date: November 18, 2019
Subject: Proposal for Recommending a Recycling/Waste Reduction Program at the University Village Food Court
Introduction:
As a leading university in climate change action, the University of British Columbia (UBC) has implemented several strategies to reduce waste. In accordance to their Zero Waste Action Plan, UBC is hoping to divert 80% of landfill waste by 2020 (Campus and Community Planning 3) and significantly reduce green house gases associated with waste (Campus and Community Planning 16). This year, UBC has released an addendum to the Zero Waste Action Plan, entitled: Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy, which intends to limit the amount of waste produced by all food and beverage businesses on the UBC Point Grey Campus.
Consequently, the Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy affects the University Village Food Court (UVFC), which is located on the lower level of University Village and provides diverse and cost-effective food for the campus community. Although a popular location, the UVFC lacks a proper program to reduce waste, specifically regarding food and beverage containers. For example, the food court lacks proper recycling receptacles, and many restaurants use Styrofoam packaging to serve food. While UBC’s Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy outlines alternatives to non-recyclable food/beverage containers across campus, this report will focus specifically on the needs of the UVFC and design a specific solution to divert landfill waste from this location.
The UVFC is in Zone D of the University Endowment Lands (UEL) and is therefore under governance the University of British Columbia and the Province of British Columbia. Each of the four zones of the UEL is represented on a Community Advisory Council, which advises the University Endowment Lands Manager (John Braman) on issues involving cost, quality and capacity of community service. The intended audience of this report will be Mojan Nozari, Claire Huxtable, and Dan Johnstone, who sit on the Community Advisory Council representing Zone D, and who will have the ability to enact change based on this recommendation (Community Advisory Council).
Statement of Problem:
The UVFC’s waste generation can be broken up into two problems. Firstly, a massive amount of UVFC waste ends up in the landfill. This can be contributed to a lack of proper recycling bins in the Food Court area, and a lack of recycling education for consumers. In this way, customers are prompted to throw recyclable containers such as plastic beverage containers, plastics straws, and wooden chopsticks into the on-site garbage bins. Secondly, the UVFC produces an abundance of non-recyclable waste, including products such as Styrofoam (eg. polystyrene) containers and plastic bags. According to a recent study, containers such as Styrofoam have a degradation rate of less than 1% in the first 90 days in the landfill and are banned in several municipalities (Saltman, “Metro Vancouver, Other Communities, Sending Tonnes of Trash to U.S”). However, as a cheap material, several restaurants in the UVFC still use Styrofoam containers to serve food and beverages. As a popular location, these two problems create a huge burden on Vancouver landfills.
Proposed Solution:
A UVFC recycling/waste reduction strategy must consider both consumers and restaurant owners in order to be effective. A multi faceted approach will address both problems outlined above. In terms of recycling, it will be important to implement a strategy that educates consumers on how to correctly dispose of containers specifically generated at the UVFC. Additionally, collaborating with University Village to provide proper recycling bins will encourage customers to dispose of waste correctly. Most importantly, restaurant owners should be discouraged from using single-use waste such as Styrofoam containers and plastic bags. Suitable alternatives must be found that both serve the same purpose and are cost-effective for business owners.
Scope:
The following questions will be pursued in this report:
- What types of recycling programs currently exist at the UVFC? Is it effective?
- How can this recycling program be made more effective?
- Are consumers educated on proper recycling habits?
- How might this recycling program educate consumers?
- What deters restaurant owners away from more environmentally friendly packaging?
- What alternative, more sustainable options are available?
- Will these alternatives be cost-effective?
- What types of programs exist to limit the amount of single-waste food ware produced?
The scope of this report encompasses two approaches to reducing waste; one that encourages all waste to be recycled, and another that limits the amount of waste produced.
Methods:
Primary data will be collected from UVFC customers and store owners. In order to investigate customer’s eating and recycling habits, a survey will be sent out to customers that frequent the UVFC (available online through Facebook). Additionally, interview questions will be sent to UVFC restaurant owners to obtain a business perspective on recycling. This will include questions that probe their feelings towards recycling, thoughts on the current recycling program, and how they feel a waste reduction strategy could be best implemented. Secondary sources will include researching cost-effective alternatives to Styrofoam and plastic bags and researching programs that may encourage restaurant owners to switch from single-use containers. Additionally, research will be conducted into already existing programs that limit single-use food ware production.
My Qualifications:
As UBC seeks to reduce its climate impact, I believe it is up to the students to notice places where reforms can be made. As a frequenter of the UVFC, I understand the limitations of implementing a waste reduction program as well as the need for cost-effective food options at UBC. Although my degree in Physics is not directly related to the environment, I believe the nature of my degree will allow me to look at problems from different perspectives and be helpful in determining a solution that benefits all parties involved. I am wary of my environmental effect, and always look for ways to reduce my environmental footprint. Whether it be wasting less water, recycling cutlery, or buying from more sustainable brands, small actions can lead to big results.
Conclusion:
The implementation of a waste reduction program at the UVFC complies with UBC’s Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy. The Strategy’s goal aims to significantly cut down on food ware waste by September 2020, and it is important for the UVFC to have a solution in place that is specific to the needs of customers and business owners. Through a multifaceted approach, this report will aim to recommend a recycling/waste reduction program for the UVFC that will encourage environmental responsibility.
Citations:
Campus and Community Planning, “Zero Waste Action Plan.” Oct. 2014, https://planning.ubc.ca/sites/planning.ubc.ca/files/documents/planning-services/policies-plans/Zero_Waste_Action_Plan%202014%2010%2003%20final.pdf
“Community Advisory Council.” University Endowment Lands , www.universityendowmentlands.gov.bc.ca/community/advisorycouncil.htm.
Coulter, Leah. “Styrofoam Recycling Now Required in Vancouver.” Waste Control Services Inc., 5 Feb. 2019, wastecontrolservices.com/articles/styrofoam-recycling-service-vancouver/.
Ho, Ba, et al. “An Overview on Biodegradation of Polystyrene and Modified Polystyrene: the Microbial Approach.” Critical Reviews in Biology, vol. 38, no. 2, 1 Aug. 2017, doi:10.1080/07388551.2017.1355293.
Saltman, Jennifer. “ Metro Vancouver, Other Communities, Sending Tonnes of Trash to U.S.” The Vancouver Sun, 3 Apr. 2019, vancouversun.com/news/local-news/metro-vancouver-other-communities-sending-tonnes-of-trash-to-u-s.
The University of British Columbia, “Climate Action Plan.” 2010, https://planning.ubc.ca/sites/planning.ubc.ca/files/documents/planning-services/policies-plans/UBCClimateActionPlan.pdf
UBC Vancouver Campus, “ Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy.” July, 2019, https://planning.ubc.ca/sites/planning.ubc.ca/files/documents/190715_UBC%20Zero%20Waste%20Food%20Ware%20Strategy.pdf