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.
Recommended Citation
Lucarelli, Sara, "Landfill waste at Humboldt State University and beyond" (2016). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2214.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2214
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/x633f356s