To:                Dr. Erika Paterson, ENGL 301 Professor

From:         Ms. Samantha Krieg, ENGL 301 Student

Date:           June 22, 2022

Subject:     Proposal for Improving Understanding of Waste Sorting at the University of British Columbia Okanagan

 

  1. Introduction

The University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) is experiencing significant contamination in waste sorting streams (Mackintosh, 12-22). Waste contamination is the presence of unaccepted materials in a waste stream and presents significant problems in diverting waste from landfills (Lyndsey). If there is considerable contamination in the waste collected, all of it is sent to a landfill instead of being repurposed or disposed of properly (Thoden van Velzen et al., 5-7). In 2018, contamination levels in waste streams at UBCO reached up to 25 percent (Mackintosh, 12-22).

A waste management audit done in 2018 by Green Step Solutions (Mackintosh, 28-32) identified limited awareness of waste sorting practices as a key concern. The results of a survey conducted by Innovate, Design, Sustain (IDS) in 2022 supported this finding by highlighting the lack of knowledge of proper waste sorting on campus (Gupta et al., 5-7). Thus, improving the understanding of waste sorting practices at UBCO is crucial to reducing significant contamination.

  1. Statement of Problem

Waste streams at the University of British Columbia Okanagan have significant contamination (Mackintosh, 12-22). The presence of contaminants (unaccepted waste materials) in waste streams, like compost or recycling, can prevent the materials from being repurposed or disposed of properly (Thoden van Velzen et al., 5-7). The lack of understanding of waste sorting practices at UBCO is a primary reason for the contamination and must be rectified immediately.

  1. Proposed Solution

Over the past six months, I met with the heads of the UBCO Facilities Management and Sustainability Office departments. In addition, I led a team of volunteers to survey students, faculty, and staff at UBCO to understand their waste management knowledge and habits. Finally, I reviewed relevant literature and case studies at UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver (Bruce et al., 1-39; Foster, 1-23; Zelenika et al., 1-7). Based on the findings, I have identified three main areas that require improvement:

  • Understanding of waste sorting practices
  • Understanding the consequences of waste stream contamination
  • Accessibility and simplicity of waste management

To help reduce the contamination of waste streams at UBCO, I propose a feasibility and comparison analysis of various initiatives to increase the understanding of waste sorting among students, staff, and faculty. This analysis will compare the practicability and efficacy of various awareness initiatives and waste sorting technologies. The following main areas of inquiry were identified:

  • What factors are contributing to the lack of understanding of waste sorting at UBCO?
  • What departments or organizations at UBCO can help reduce the waste sorting knowledge gap? Are there specific areas to which they can contribute?
  • Analysis of feasibility and efficacy of the following efforts, implemented on campus by the IDS CWI team, independently or in conjunction:
    • Educational seminars and events
    • Improved signage near waste bins
    • Waste bins with automated sorting
    • Educational signage around campus
    • Incentives for participation, achievement, or contribution
    • Changing the colour coding system of the UBCO waste bins to match the provincial standard (change mixed paper recycling to yellow, all other recycling to blue, and compost to green)

The report will inform the IDS Campus Waste Initiatives team’s current and future projects. It will help the team determine the most effective and feasible proposed initiatives, providing a starting point for their implementation.

  1. Scope

The purpose of this analysis is to assess the feasibility of improving the understanding of waste sorting practices among students, faculty, and staff at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. The results are intended for immediate review and use by the student club Innovate, Design, Sustains Campus Waste Initiatives team. The analysis will consider the impacts in the next five years and prioritize immediate change.

The scope of this analysis is limited due to time and resource constraints. Thus, it will not include the following considerations:

  • Exact numbers for acceptable contamination levels
  • Complete cost-benefit analysis considering funding, budget, and targets at UBCO
  • Life cycle analysis of proposed signage or technologies
  • Comprehensive analysis of the long-term impacts or benefits of the initiatives listed in the proposed solution
  • Information on general waste management behaviours or knowledge at UBCO
  1. Methods
    • Surveys

In March 2022, the IDS Campus Waste Initiatives team surveyed UBCO students, faculty, and staff. The goal of the survey was to gather information about waste management and sorting knowledge, habits, and interest among the population. Overall, the results showed that participants were willing to put in the effort necessary to sort and manage waste properly but often lacked the knowledge or resources required. A review of the results of this survey will be part of the feasibility analysis. The information gathered will help determine the potential for success of the initiatives listed in the proposed solution.

A second survey will be done in July 2022 to gauge the interest of UBCO students, faculty, and staff in proposed initiatives to improve the understanding of waste sorting on campus. This survey will continue the work done by IDS in March and will focus on the results of specific initiatives. The second survey will inform the feasibility analysis and compare the initiatives listed in the proposed solution.

    • Informational Interview

An informational interview will be conducted with Jamie Armer, the Manager of Custodial and Waste Services at UBCO. This interview will help to develop a better understanding of the significance of waste contamination and the feasibility of the initiatives proposed in the solution. Questions will gather information on the cuhowontamination at UBCO and the ways in which the Facilities Management department can support the proposed solution.

    • Literature Review

A literature review will be done to provide supporting evidence for the information gathered in the surveys and informational interview. The primary focus of the review will be on case studies conducted on waste management and sorting practices at UBC Okanagan and Vancouver (Bruce et al., 1-39; Foster, 1-23; Zelenika et al., 1-7). In addition, journal articles and reports with information about waste management education will be explored. These case studies, articles, and reports will substantiate the recommended initiatives to increase understanding of waste sorting at UBCO.

    • Regulation, Standard, and Policy Review

Relevant regulations, standards, and policies will be reviewed to inform the feasibility analysis. Information will be gathered from these sources to understand the acceptable levels of contamination in the Okanagan region. This will provide a threshold for comparing the efficacy of the initiatives listed in the proposed solution. The sources of documents to be reviewed include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Recycle BC
  • City of Kelowna
  • Regional District of Central Okanagan
  1. My Qualifications
    • Campus Waste Initiatives Co-Lead at Innovate, Design, Sustain UBCO

As the IDS Campus Waste Initiatives Co-lead during the 2022 winter semester, I became an expert in UBCO’s waste management practices and shortcomings. In this role, I led a small, motivated team to increase the amount of waste diverted from landfills on campus. My responsibilities included:

  • Creating and promoting a campus-wide survey to better understand the waste management knowledge and habits of UBCO students, faculty, and staff
  • Communicating with project stakeholders for feedback and approval, including the UBCO Facilities Management department and Sustainability Office
  • Coordinating with other executive members of IDS to create events on campus that improved awareness of sustainability and waste management
    • Civil Engineering Student

As a civil engineering student, I know the importance of triple bottom line sustainability. My coursework has promoted ethics and design thinking, which will be an asset while analyzing the feasibility of the initiatives to improve the understanding of waste sorting at UBCO. This background will help me consider the factors that influence the efficacy of the proposed initiatives and identify potential adverse impacts.

  1. Conclusion

Contamination of waste streams at the University of British Columbia Okanagan increases the build-up of otherwise redirected materials in landfills. Improving the understanding of waste sorting among students, faculty, and staff is crucial. A feasibility analysis of the proposed initiatives is necessary to understand the most effective solutions. The results will be used by the IDS Campus Waste Initiatives team as a basis for the implementation of the proposed initiatives. This analysis will include surveys, an informational interview, and a literature and regulation review. The main areas of inquiry reviewed in the proposed feasibility analysis will provide IDS with a starting point for the initiatives to improve the understanding of waste sorting at UBCO.

 

Works Cited

Bruce, Kayla, et al. “Campus waste: Garbage, recycling, and composting efforts.” 2018. University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna. Report.

Foster, K. “The Effectiveness of 3D Display Cases In The AMS Nest.” 2016. University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Report.

Mackintosh, Andrea. “UBC Okanagan waste audit.” Nov. 2018. Green Step Solutions Inc., Kelowna. Report.

Lyndsey. “What Happens to My Recycling: A Closer Look.” Recycle BC, 19 May 2020, recyclebc.ca/what-happens-to-my-recycling-blog.

Thoden van Velzen, Ulphard, et al. Issue paper: Recycling of different waste streams. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, 2021. doi.org/10.18174/555442

Zelenika, Ivana, et al. “Toward Zero Waste Events: Reducing Contamination in Waste Streams With Volunteer Assistance.” Waste Management, vol. 76, 2018, pp. 39–45. Crossref, doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.03.030.