Campus Waste Audit

Elizabeth Stoner, Bentley University

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Initial Publication Date: May 3, 2023

Summary

The course specific excercise we did was to take Bentley University waste data across multiple years (and different buildings). Student evaluated waste diversion rates, compost rates, and landfill rates to assess trends in waste data over time. Each group (6 groups in total) evaluated waste generation from one building of their choice on campus. They then constructed bar charts illustrating waste allocation and compared this to their group's waste audits (from the personal waste audit data). This activity allowed students to see the larger trends in waste generation across the university and comparing it to their own waste generation to see any differences or similarities in waste generation. Further, this allows students to discuss ways we can mitigate waste generation on campus (for example, students identify that composting needs to be more widely institutionalized).

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Learning Goals

The goals of this activity are for students to:

  1. Describe the difference between waste diversion, landfilled waste, and composted waste
  2. Design posters comparing Bentley University building waste totals (described in SLO #1)
  3. Calculate Bentley University building waste totals (described in SLO #1)--this helps students practice their data analysis skills
  4. Identify patterns/trends between Bentley University waste data and personal waste audit data (from the common exercise)

Context for Use

This activity is a follow-on to the Wicked Problem of an Equitable​ Zero-Waste Circular Economy​ module.

This project was done in a lab room, but it can be done in any setting. It is important to note that it can also be paired with a waste audit of recycling containers within a building (this was done in fall 2022), to further drive home concepts related to waste management, and the wickedness of plastics production and recycling. If it is paired with the lab activity (waste audit of recycling containers), it must be done in a lab-room that has sturdy lab tables that can get messy. There are no technical skills required for this activity, though it is useful if students have a basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel. It would not be difficult to adapt this activity for other classes (and student levels).

Description and Teaching Materials

The Bentley waste audit handout is attached. To complete it, you will need waste data from your university (it was available from our Office of Sustainability). If you would like to also pair it with a hands-on activity, such as our recycling evaluation activity, you can find that document attached as well.
NAS 150_FA 2022_Waste Audit Activity (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 20kB Apr18 23)
Recycling in Jennison Activity (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 1.8MB Apr18 23)


Teaching Notes and Tips

For the University waste comparison data, you will want to briefly review Excel (and will likely want to discuss Pivot Charts and Pivot Tables). This can be a useful tool in helping students visualize and understand their data.

Assessment

1) Posters were carefully reviewed for accuracy and content
2) Students were required to submit completed Recycling Activity handouts, which asked them questions related to recycling and waste generation at Bentley University. These were assessed for accuracy, and comprehension of the in-class activity.
*Please note that I did not grade these activities, as I felt that would interfere with the process of fully engaging with the activity*

References and Resources