Composting in Corvallis Moving Towards a Zero-Waste Future Nathan - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
The Dirt on Composting in Corvallis Moving Towards a Zero-Waste Future Nathan Davis Iaroslav Vugniavyi Stephen Naimoli Introduction The Coalitions Goal: o 75% waste recovery rate by 2020 Class Goals o Deliverables to the
Moving Towards a Zero-Waste Future
Nathan Davis Iaroslav Vugniavyi Stephen Naimoli
Introduction
by 2020
Coalition
Overview
What is Composting?
pile
waste bin
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Background
Sustainability Action Plan
Action Team
Program
Corvallis Sustainability Coalition encourage residential composting?
Barriers
Approach
Map of covered areas
Approach
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Current composting habits Motivations Barriers
49% of survey respondents throw food scraps away with the regular trash; 44% compost food scraps in the yard waste bin; and 15% use a home composting system
14.75% 44.26% 49.18% 13.11% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% In a home compost pile Put food scraps in a yard waste bin Along with the regular trash Give it to a pet % N=60
How do residents of surveyed areas dispose their food scraps?
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Homeowners are more likely than renters to compost food scraps and use a home composting system
22.58% 48.39% 6.45% 38.71% 16.13% 6.90% 37.93% 3.45% 62.07% 10.34% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% In a home compost pile Put food scraps in a yard waste bin In the garbage disposal in the kitchen sink Along with the regular trash Give it to a pet % N=60
Types of food waste disposal for owners and renters
Own Rent
Most households that compost do so because they believe it is good for the environment and seek to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill.
13.79% 51.72% 37.93% 17.24% 24.14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% It's a convenient way to dispose of food scraps It's good for the environment It's good for my garden It reduces trash/saves space in the trash can It reduces waste in the landfill % N=28
Why do surveyed households compost?
Households that garden are more likely to compost food scraps
17.48% 47.53% 4.75% 44.75% 17.63% 9.90% 34.93% 4.75% 60.34% 5.34% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% In a home compost pile Put food scraps in a yard waste bin In the garbage disposal in the kitchen sink Along with the regular trash Give it to a pet % N=60
Presence of a garden and types of food waste disposal
Garden No garden
Photo Source: http://www.ucview.com/wiki
“I’ve never composted. My parents put everything in the garbage disposal. Now it goes in the disposal like everything else” "I like the idea of composting. It feels like a very Oregonian and Corvallis value to compost food scraps“ “Corvallis is way ahead of the game culturally and socially. That pressure is there, but maybe the functionality needs to catch up a bit ... It’s interesting how your behavior is defined by social pressures.”
Awareness that food scraps can be placed in the yard bin Understanding the importance
Understanding how to compost and what can be composted
“There’s a lot understanding about the environmental benefits of recycling that there isn’t about composting…. I just don’t know what I’m not doing, and what sin I’m really committing [by not composting]” “[Back when I didn't compost] I just didn't have the info.”
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Photo Source: http://www.pd4pic.com/icon-food-white-cartoon-page-can-out-free-trash.html
Notion that composting is time-consuming Lack of an established household system to collect food scraps Low priority for composting
Photo Source: http://www.fchcinc.org/patient-portal-disclaimers
Provide stickers for yard waste bins
Photo Source: San Francisco Department of the Environment
Provide stickers for yard waste bins
Focus groups
them
Provide kitchen bins
Photo Source: Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
Provide kitchen bins
Focus groups
Case studies
among highest contributors to increasing composting participation
Organize composting demonstrations at community events
Organize composting demonstrations at community events
Focus groups
composting
Expand beyond a residential focus
Case studies
Focus groups
“People...want to live in Boulder because of the reputation it has for being sustainable, and part of that is then doing their part to help achieve zero waste.” – Residential Sustainability Specialist, City
Pilot programs at smaller scales before wider implementation
Case studies
Pilot programs help the city “really understand community opinions about the system” and focus on “targeting outreach and troubleshooting to meet those needs” – Conservation Program Specialist, City
Conclusions
Findings
Recommendations
resources
Acknowledgements
Rachel Snyder
Norris
Sundseth, and Lauri Richer
Amanda Romero, Becky Kobow, and Sharon Barnes
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