Landfill waste at Humboldt State University and beyond

Graduation Date

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, Sociology, 2016

Committee Chair Name

Meredith Williams

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Composting, Environmental racism, Trash, Neoliberalism, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Sociology, Waste, Third World exploitation, Campus waste audit, Landfills, Incinerators, Recycling, Signage, Pollution, Ecological crises, Inequality, Survey

Abstract

In this thesis, I explore how landfill waste is a social and environmental problem, with cultural and political roots. I explore national and global issues of consumption and waste production using the framework of neoliberalism and ecological crisis (Chew 2002). I then analyze the landfill-bound waste of Humboldt State University in three phases: a waste audit, a student survey, and a study of best practices for signage. In my study, I found significant amounts of potentially divertible (compostable and recyclable) waste in landfill trash, and uncovered several barriers to recycling and composting. I provide recommendations to address the problems of compostable and recyclable waste being found in the landfill-bound waste stream at Humboldt State University, and provide both a literature review and examples of potential signage for future use by to the Sustainability Office and campus Dining Services. In my discussion, I explore what the individual can do in their daily life to ameliorate the problems of global massive waste creation and unsustainable waste disposal practices.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/x633f356s

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