Examining Levels of Consumer Awareness in Waste Sorting at UMass Amherst
Renewable Energy
2021
Advisors:
Executive Summary
In the UMass Amherst community alone, a 2019 audit found that in recycling streams roughly one-quarter of materials were unwanted contaminants. These contaminants are an issue because they make the recycling process more expensive, decrease the quality of recyclables entering the commodity market, and can create a dangerous work environment. To what extent does the lack of knowledge and consumer misuse contribute to the amount of recyclable waste that ends up in landfills?
Problem Keywords
food waste
consumer
recycling
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