Perceived key elements of a successful residential food waste sorting program in urban apartments: stakeholder views. (15th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, D.Y.; Lin, Z.Y.; Gordon, M.P.R.; Robinson, N.K.L.; Harder, M.K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 134(2016:Oct.)Part A
• Page Start: 362
• Page End: 370
• Publication Date: 2016-10-15
• Subjects: Recycling -- Waste sorting -- Waste segregation -- Food waste -- Behaviour change -- Kitchen waste; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: A large, successful, residential food waste sorting (recycling) program in urban high-density housing was studied to elicit perceptions of the key elements of its success. An embedded mixed-methods approach was used with rigorous quantitative measures of weights and compositions of the waste to confirm the success of the program, combined with in-depth semi-structured interviews of stakeholders to reveal their opinions of the elements key for success. The program produced a 70% food waste capture rate slowly decreasing to 45% over 54 weeks, with <1% contamination. The key elements for success were found to relate to clarification of roles and responsibilities, and the usefulness of a 'broker' (here, an NGO (non-governmental organisation)) to co-develop new boundaries for stakeholder responsibilities. Residents first needed to be convinced of the serious intention of the local government to implement the policy, but then viewed waste sorting as a civic duty. This is different to the moderator of "authority' in earlier studies. The use of volunteers to demonstrate and interact on a personal level with residents was seen as a key element. The three month period of volunteer involvement was seen as key to good habit forming. Highlights: A large urban program captured 70% of residential food waste from apartments. In-depth stakeholder interviews elicited exploratory perceived key elements. Clarification and evolution of roles and responsibilities was key: an NGO helped. A visibly serious intention of policy elicited civic duty responses from residents. Volunteers manning waste stations 4 h/day for 3 months produced a key motivation effect.