Spatial characterization and analysis of the campus residential waste stream at a small private Liberal Arts Institution

The generation and management of solid waste on college campuses have presented challenges to pursuing institutional sustainability. Characterizing, analyzing, and understanding the composition of a campus’ residential waste stream is a critical first step toward developing successful and effective waste management strategies across university campuses. This study presents a multi-year (2008–2011) assessment of the composition and spatial variability of the residential waste stream, by both weight and volume, at Furman University, a small private Liberal Arts Institution in Greenville, SC, United States. Waste audits were conducted on a dumpster by dumpster basis over the three-year period, with garbage being sorted into eight separate waste categories. Of the total 587.4kg and 14.8m³ of residential waste sampled, 25% by weight and 41% by volume could have been recycled under the university's current waste management program, and 61% by weight and 63% by volume could have been diverted from the landfill through a combination of the university's recycling plan, the county's recycling program, and the composting of food waste. Distinct spatial differences were found in the composition of the waste stream with regards to the glass, compost material, and cardboard content among the different housing complexes. Our analysis found the observed variability to be the result of differences in the age and class of the student residents, the meal plans of the residents, social patterns of alcohol consumption within the residence halls, and the presence or absence and quantity of kitchens in each building. Design of an efficient waste management program requires not only an assessment of the waste stream, but also an understanding of the mechanisms and behaviors responsible for generating this garbage. The utility of site specific audits lies within their ability to capture these spatial differences in campus residential waste streams, allowing for specific recommendations for individual residential buildings on strategies for minimizing waste and improving recycling efforts.