Analysis of Waste Management at Stockton University

Heather Coulson, Lori Gorczynski, Katrina Davisson

9/19/2017
Introduction
A waste management and recycling analysis was conducted at the Stockton University campus on
September 12, 2017. During this time, three different locations were selected and analyzed for waste
content. The goal for this project was to monitor how staff and students were managing their waste and to
investigate how we can improve our efforts through recycling and trash reduction. There are numerous
reasons to improve our recycling efforts:it promotes local manufacturing jobs, conserves natural
resources, saves energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions caused by methane emitted from
landfills(Haugh, 2011).
Sites Investigated

The map above shows the three sites that were investigated. All sites were sampled at locations
that experience large amounts of foot traffic from faculty, staff, and students throughout the day.
How the Sites were Analyzed
A trash and recycle bag was collected at each of the sites. These bags were then individually
weighed (lbs), emptied, and sorted into three categories- trash ( T ), compost ( C ), and recyclable ( R ).
Each of these divisions were then reweighed to determine their composition percentage for each bag.
Individual bags were then broken down and recorded by item composition cover percentage. Any
hazardous items found were also recorded.
Results

Figure 1. Demonstrates what items were found in each can at each site and organized them among 15
different categories. Each of these categories are followed by their correct divisions of waste- ( C )
compost, ( T ) trash, ( R ) Recyclable.
NOTE: Plastic bottles are recyclable but the lids are not and is represented on the graph as ( R ) ( T )
Table 1. Demonstrates the total composition percentage of each bag by weight through three divisions of
waste- compost, trash, and recyclable.

Recycling on Campus
Stockton currently recycles plastic, metal, cardboard, paper, glass, and cartons in their blue bin
containers located throughout the campus. They do not recycle items like, cooking/motor oil, plastic bags,
or food even though each of these items can be recycled locally. Food products can be recycled at local
pig farms in New Jersey including- Coastal Farms, Kraly Farms, and Pig Farm Recycling NJ. Kraly
Farms will even accept and recycle used cooking oil (Food Waste Recycling, ACUA). Even though
Stockton does not accept it, used motor oil is accepted and recycled at the ACUA (DEP, 2016). Many big
box stores like ShopRite offer plastic bag recycling at their local stores (Sustainability, ShopRite).
Where it Goes
The trash and recyclables are picked up and transferred to the Atlantic City Utilities Authority
(ACUA) located in Egg Harbor Township (Verrillo, 2016). Once the waste reaches the ACUA, trash
disposal is charged at $67.50 per ton while recyclable materials are disposed of for free (Disposal
Rates, ACUA).
Conclusion/Recommendations
Universities serve as a testing ground for developing new ways to address waste management.
Stockton University is a diverse community that engages in activities with a large consumption of
materials and energy. Known as a green campus, the environmental friendliness of Stockton University
leads to a positive societal image and influence wider society (Wan, Cheung, & Geoffrey, 2012). Raising
awareness about campus waste and engaging the community to participate in RecycleMania, a
competition for Universities to promote waste reduction can promote proper waste disposal. In 2015,
students at Ohio University collected trash from receptacles on campus, including recyclables, for a
period of two weeks. They created Mt. Trashmore, a giant pile of waste in order to make a statement
about the amount of waste produced on campus. The experiment showed great interest from students and
sparked a recycling contest on campus. Art students were inspired to make sculptures on campus out of
the waste (Heath, 2015). With a growing art and environmental community at Stockton, the Art and
Environmental departments can work together to collect waste and create art installations on campus to
educate and engage the community on proper waste disposal.
As a University there are many steps Stockton can take to reduce the amount of recyclables that
end up in trash cans. A recent study done at universities shows that a visual aid on recycling bins is very
effective in having students dispose of their waste in the proper bin (Miller, Meidi, & Caradine, 2016).
Convenience, moral norms, information, and environmental concern are the four major recycling
predictors (Miafodzyeva & Brandt, 2013). Along with pictures indicating proper waste disposal, compost
bins can be implemented on campus and in parking lots next to trash and recycling. Parking lot waste
from the three sites contained waste that most likely people are either bringing from their cars, or
throwing away before they enter their cars. Food waste was shown to be a large percentage of waste in
trash bins. Providing a compost bin with visual aid can greatly reduce the amount of food waste ending up
in the landfill. Compost can be collected and dropped at the Stockton Farm, creating a closed loop
compost system that benefits the community. According to the NJDEP, the current recycling rate is at
62% for solid waste material (Environmental Trends Report, 2017). With these recommendations
Stockton University can surpass that goal.
 References

Disposal Rates & Procedures. Atlantic County Utilities Authority.

http://www.acua.com/disposal-recycling/rates-procedures-operation/

Environmental Trends Report: Solid Waste and Recycling. 2017. New Jersey Department of
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Food Waste Recycling for Businesses. Atlantic County Utilities Authority.

http://www.acua.com/disposal-recycling/business/food-waste/

Haugh, J. A. 2011. Decisions, Decisions: Cleaning Up America's Recycling Confusion. Kennedy School
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Verrillo, S. (2016). Stockton University Proves Recycling is an Ongoing Effort.

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