Conducting a Waste Audit in the Killam Library at Dalhousie University to Establish Waste Habits and Locate Problem Areas

Abstract

This report analyzed the need for increases in waste diversion rates in order to reduce the amount of waste entering landfill sites. As municipalities move towards reducing and diverting their waste, universities are also trying to improve their waste practices as part of the Greening the Campus movement. This project focused on a waste reduction pilot project at the Killam Library at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The pilot replaced individual refuse bins with a four-bin waste system consisting of compost, paper, recycle, and waste bins. Interviews and surveys were also conducted throughout the Killam Library to establish waste habits. The results of the project indicated that the four-bin system is a useful method to increase waste diversion rates. Although the majority of individuals agreed with changes to improve diversion rates the main barrier to successful implementation is a lack of knowledge of proper recycling methods. This report recommends an education campaign to provide students, staff and faculty with the necessary information to properly recycle.