Development of a framework to implement a recycling program in an elementary school

Miriam N. Ward, Blake Wells and Vasil Diyamandoglu

Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2014, vol. 86, issue C, 138-146

Abstract: This study developed a system to plan, evaluate, implement, and monitor a waste reduction and source-separation program, which was then tested through a field study in a New York City elementary school. Despite efforts to implement integrated waste management in elementary schools, appropriate planning tools that document performance and support program development are lacking. To fill this gap, a system for analyzing existing programs was developed. After identifying the phases required for a successful program, a scoring system was developed to quantify the performance of existing programs. To assess existing protocol, recommendations from leading municipalities were reviewed, and the performance of existing programs was quantified within the scoring system. The existing protocol was found to contain similarities, but an overarching approach was needed to connect the provisions with programs that have been successfully deployed. From this analysis, a scoring system was developed to take into consideration the major elements needed for a waste reduction and source-separation plan, colloquially referred to as a recycling plan, as well as the specifics of implementation. This system allows for the review of programs already developed, and can pinpoint limitations prior to implementation. The framework was evaluated through the test case school, with both waste audit data and diagrams. From the lessons learned, successful techniques and recommendations for utilizing this framework were created.

Keywords: Waste reduction at source; Source separation; Accountability, Elementary school; Waste audit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:recore:v:86:y:2014:i:c:p:138-146

DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.02.013

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