Dalhousie University Students Recycling and Composting Habits, Knowledge, and Barriers Study

Abstract

In this study the habits and opinions of Dalhousie Students on the topic of recycling and composting with be shown. Dalhousie University is located in Halifax Nova Scotia with a student population of roughly 16 500 students in over 180 degree programs. Green and sustainable issues are often advocated for at Dalhousie through the Environmental Science Program and the College of Sustainability, as well as various student organizations such as the Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability Office, Environmental Programs Student Society and Your Environment Sustainability and Society Student Society. Our research aimed to assess the differences in recycling habits and understanding amongst Dalhousie students between different faculties, year of study, on-campus versus off-campus living, confidence level and perceived importance of recycling. Using a ten-question survey in addition to a waste sorting quiz, we received feedback on the habits of students and what they believed was their biggest barrier to effective waste disposal. We analyzed the scores of the waste sorting quizzes versus the answers to the survey questions. In this analysis, we did not find any significant results between the students’ demographics and the results of the waste sorting quiz. However, we did receive valuable insight into the barriers which prevent students from appropriately disposing of waste. Throughout this report, we will provide recommendations and insight into how the current recycling system at Dalhousie, as well as the greater Halifax community, can be improved.