Table 1: Summary of Individual Sources
Project Topic
Barriers to Waste Diversion in Residences
In-text citation
What was the Research question/ objectives / were addressed in the article?
What research method was used to investigate / evaluate the problem?
What were the key learning about the actors, context, and/or intervention success/failure to take from this article?
How does this article inform the development of your project?
Ikiz et al. (2021),
This source mainly addresses the influences of Covid-19 on city wast management systems, and it mainly targets research residence in Toronto, Canada.
This research was mainly conducted based on case study methodologies and interviews conducted on residents (19) of Toronto, Canada. The interview was mainly designed around five themes.
The Covid-19 lockdown was researched to place multiple influences on how residents in Toronto, Canada, deal with waste. More specifically, it negatively impacted the sustainability within the households, and some organizations have attempted to conduct sustainable interventionist acts to change people’s behaviors back to previous sustainable practices. The authors found those negative impacts would result in health and safety issues, and education might be crucial in improving those negative influences in the short term.
This research is developed based on researching Toronto, Canada, which has a high level of relevance to my research. Additionally, it discusses the role of education on campus, which echoes the related PESTEL analysis of my research that the biggest contributors to the campus waste disposal issue are the lack of cooperation and passive attitudes toward waste diversion due to insufficient education.
Babazadeh et al. (2018),
This source examines several issues of waste management systems (WMSs). Plus, Babazadeh et al. (2018) delved into obstacles to sources of household waste classification.
This research was conducted based on a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. 13 citizens were invited to get interviewed, and data were collected and analyzed through MAXQDA10.
It can learn from interviews and corresponding data that it is challenging to encourage all citizens from developing countries to get involved in separating households from the source. However, the related governments should consider introducing safety and health-related benefits and increase their related consciousness via education to better address this issue.
This source reveals that business people who invest in waste recycling, policymakers in charge of environmental health, and decision-makers of city affairs should adopt innovative approaches to cope more effectively with waste diversion among residents. It is closely relevant to one of my research points.
Hird et al. (2014),
This source explores several waste management practices and the main reasons the public gathered, and specific approaches they could deploy to address waste management issues.
Hird et al. (2014) mainly composed this article from Noortje Marres and Bruno Latour’s theory. Additionally, they narrowed down to research the case of Ontario, Canada, to expose some non-sustainable acts, and delved into it from a political lens.
This source demonstrated that waste management (WM) nowadays should be handled by gaining more attention from the public and political administration. Additionally, WM can be viewed economically and efficaciously addressed from technological perspectives.
This source is consistent with my research topic and is mainly interlinked with the PESTEL analyses. This issue is complicated and deserves to be accessed and managed from different angles. More than that, it emphasized the role individuals and organizations should play in this scenario, which conforms with my research topic.
Pollans (2017)
This source chiefly discussed the high costs of city solid waste and its adverse influences on sustainability. Plus, it explores different political modes that administrators could use to manage this issue.
Pollans (2017) mainly used methodologies of literature review and chart analysis to complete this research.
This source newly came up with a more reasonable and rational approach to deal with waste that changes made in decision-making processes will stimulate the public to be more involved. Also, it is necessary to test more models and ultimately establish the multiple system types.
This source is academically supportive of my research since it discussed the costs of disposing of waste, the decision-making power in the decision-making processes, and the roles governments and the public should play to better address this issue. More importantly, it broadly discussed this issue from the sustainability perspectives.
Geda at al. (2020)
This source probed the cooperation of the waste management firms (WMF) and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and the discrepancies shown in the waste disposal processes.
This source is developed based on literature review methodology, and model formulation and analyses.
Geda et al. (2020) found that the increased costs experienced by WMF will significantly reduce their revenues. Nash bargaining can be a feasible approach. Tax and subsidy mechanisms can be an available variant used by governmental administration to facilitate the passion for waste disposal held by WMF and the masses.
This source is mainly about how the increased costs of waste management will cause tremendous pressure on the supply chain in this process. Plus, how will it be expensive to dispose of waste by the public? Accordingly, what possible cooperation between WMF and OEM can be used to better address this issue? All these are my research topic related.
Ali and Shirazi (2022),
This source mainly examined the vital role of e-waste management and municipal sustainability. Additionally, it probed what the Canadian government could learn from Switzerland regarding managing e-waste.
Ali and Shirazi (2022) mainly resorted to the comparative policy evaluation between Canada and Switzerland, quantitatively measuring approach, and data development analysis (DEA) to accomplish this research.
After comparing and analyzing related data, this source presented the findings that Switzerland had sound legal systems, making it more legal and effective to deal with e-commerce. The Canadian government could learn from it. Additionally, this issue is comprehensive and should be evaluated from multiple angles.
This source is located based on typing critical terms of “Canadian EPR program” and “sustainable goals” into the search bar. Therefore, it features a high level of relevance to the bargaining power embraced by buyers to shape the related sustainability issues and contributes to advancing my research.
Diggle and Walker (2020),
This source is developed based on two key terms: extended producer responsibility (EPR) and single-use plastics (SUPs). More importantly, it discussed the prominent role that EPR could play in facilitating sustainability in major provinces throughout Canada.
Diggle and Walker (2020) mainly used the case study methodology, focusing on the implementation situations of EPR in Nova Scotia province.
It was presented in this article that throughout Canada, plenty of packaging was wasted and not properly recycled. Regarding this situation, the Canadian government formulated the EPR strategy and first tried it in Nova Scotia. The results became appreciable and deserved to be popularized in more provinces in Canada.
This source was about the roles that provincial governments and territorial authorities should play in coping with municipal waste more sustainably, which is a critical part of my research.
Debrah et al. (2021),
This source analyzed solid waste management (SWM) in developing countries, particularly how the education level and people’s consciousness of sustainability would impact the effectiveness of SWM.
Debrah et al. (2021) conducted this research based on a systematic review and the literature review methodology.
There were several informative and worthwhile findings shown in this article. First, if educators lacked abundant experience in SWM and students were short of related knowledge and consciousness, the SWM would be complemented with low efficiency. Therefore, more efforts should be spent to increase knowledge reserve and improve consciousness of sustainability in the educational systems in those developing countries.
This source chiefly examined the role of education and consciousness in advancing SWM. It is believed that the increased consciousness will significantly promote cooperation among different social parties, and help the public, mainly those students, to develop a more comprehensive view of sustainability and SWM. It can be effectively used to underpin my following research.
Nanda and Berruti (2020),
This resource researched municipal solid waste management (SWM), mainly the disposal of those waste in landfill sites. This approach is argued to effectively address issues of GHS and resource recycling.
Nanda and Berruti (2020) mainly used the experimental method to explore the influences of landfill conditions on the generation of landfill gas and leachate. They used the related data results to determine the stability of solid waste.
It can draw from the experimental results that biological reactors should be adopted as the sanitary landfills. They deserve to be strongly recommended for use in the next generations because they produce more time-saving and cost-friendly results to reach the anticipated sustainability-oriented objectives.
This resource might give The Canadian government has a different idea concerning collecting and disposing solid waste. It unquestionably is highly technologically innovative, which echoes the point of technological innovations that I have discussed in the PESTEL analyses.
Das et al. (2019)
This source is based on core concepts of solid waste management (SWM) and 3R principles that could be practically used to reach sustainability globally, including Canada.
Das et al. (2019) chiefly used numerous literature reviews discussing those existing SWM strategies. Moreover, they resorted to various modeling tools and waste management algorithms to ultimately evaluate the performance of those modeling.
It was found that the economic state of a nation was closely tied to the content of its solid waste. It was economically valued for governments to implement some inexpensive techniques (composting and vermicomposting) based on following the 3R principles and ultimately to achieve the high efficiency of SWM.
This source can be strongly recommended for buttressing my research since it is developed based on key sustainability concepts and innovative SWM approaches. Plus, the authors mentioned the corresponding situation in Canada, making it highly relevant to my research.
(McDiarmid, 2022)
The article discusses the problem of recycling and disposing of residential waste in Toronto. The article aims to shed light on the existing residential waste recycling problem in Toronto and Ontario through a comparative analysis of residential waste recycling rates and disposal methods.
A comparison of the amount of housing waste, disposal methods, treatment methods and efficiencies over 20 years was conducted employing comparisons and an extensive literature review. At the same time, the authors also provide comparisons of waste recycling policies. In addition, the authors interviewed authorities from various sectors to evaluate and predict the current recycling policies.
Recycling rates for juice containers, soup cans, cardboard and other household items in residential waste are steadily increasing but are not significantly different from the previous situation. Meanwhile, Ontario’s largest recycling sites are recycling less efficiently than two decades ago. Moreover, the low price of land has led to a preference for landfill disposal, even for recycled waste.
The article illustrates the problems associated with waste separation and recycling today. Furthermore, it explains in detail how severe problems with current recycling methods have led to a vicious cycle. Nevertheless, the article emphasizes the importance of political commitment to waste recycling. In the absence of political or regulatory intervention, people prefer to dispose of their waste through low-cost methods (landfills).
(Pickering et al., 2020)
This source examines the environmental benefits of residential organic waste diversion programs (OWDP). At the same time, the authors et al. examined the willingness of non-participants to participate after receiving educational information.
This literature primarily employs modeling as well as policy research to represent the level of participation in OWDP and subsequent impediments to progress.
After comparing and analyzing the relevant data, this literature reflects the lack of normality in recycling, with recyclable waste being treated as general waste in landfills in many areas. A review of the literature reveals that the main problem of people participating in recycling programs in the Toronto area is forgetfulness. In addition, there may be other influences on these issues that should be considered on a more multifaceted level.
This literature was sourced by searching for barriers to recycling in residences to obtain more. It therefore features a visual analysis of the benefits of participating in recycling programs and the barriers to residents not participating in the program.
(Wilkins, 2022)
This article assesses the current state of waste generation in Canada, aiming to reduce the use of non-recyclable goods and raise awareness of ecological concerns.
This article focuses on the state of garbage collection in Canada, based on research and an extensive data citation approach. The authors interviewed key players in the process.
With all the existing recycling mechanisms and activities in Canada, the ultimate fate of much of the recyclable waste still ends up back in landfills. This is due to different policies on waste separation. For governments, landfilling waste is less expensive than recycling。
This resource examines the main problems of waste disposal in Canada today and discusses the subsequent problems of landfills. It argues that municipalities should be held accountable for the current low level of recycling, and help the public and those responsible for requiring recycling to do so thoroughly.
(MacRae et al., 2016)
This literature explores the role of food processing plants in reducing food waste and the role of policies and regulations on recycling issues.
The study was based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The analysis was carried out through an extensive literature review, as well as data tabulations from different countries.
This information shows that every three adults waste enough food in a month to feed a fourth adult. Meanwhile, the government has not put in place effective measures to improve recycling efficiency. At the same time, Canadian jurisdictional issues have led to direct conflicts between federal and municipal policies and inefficiencies in recycling.
This literature can be found by entering the keywords food waste and waste management in the search bar. It is therefore characterized by its relevance to the alignment of government policies at all levels and by the data that directly expresses the problems that can be solved by this wasted food.
(Parizeau et al., 2015)
This source analyzed the waste weights of 68 households in Guelph, incorporating different factors including beliefs, behaviours, etc.
The main methods used in this literature are field surveys as well as questionnaires from relevant households. They use relevant data and behaviors to determine the main factors that influence a household’s waste generation.
The main methods used in this literature are field surveys as well as questionnaires from relevant households. They use relevant data and behaviors to identify the main factors that influence a household’s waste generation. At the same time, measures such as composting bins were used in some households to reuse organic waste. Through the interview survey 56% of the people felt guilty for generating a large amount of non-recyclable waste.
This literature can be found by entering the keywords food waste, Canada, sustainability into the search. Thus, it features questions to households from the source and surveys to get more visual data and reasons for waste. At the same time, it shows the ways in which households can improve the utilization of organic waste.
(Everitt et al., 2022)
This literature analyzes food and composition comparisons produced by households during the COVID-19 epidemic. The literature selected London, Canada as a sample for analysis and comparison.
The literature uses a quantitative approach to analysis. They conducted a waste composition study on 100 household dwellings. In this study, the weekly average of waste generated by each household was obtained using statistical methods such as data, and the subsequent disposal methods such as landfill or recycling were calculated.
The results provided by the literature show that an average of 2.81 kg of waste per household is landfilled. This figure is higher than the urban average of 2.4 kg per household landfilled. However, in this case the non-recyclable rate of waste rises due to the inability of some households to participate in the green bin program due to their location. 52% of the 2.81 kg of waste that goes to landfill could have been avoided.
This source can be obtained by searching for keywords such as household waste and recycle. Therefore its greatest feature is that it can provide a comparison of the amount of waste during the epidemic and during normal times for the current study. Also, it argues on one hand why some households have a higher than average amount of garbage
(Schuster et al., 2022)
This article examines the potential of lunch boxes to reduce food waste in different households. Also, the authors collected huge data from 955 households in 6 countries.
This literature uses quantitative as well as qualitative analysis. They summarized the causes of food waste that occurred in each household and later compared them with data on the use of meal boxes.
The results provided by the literature show that the use of lunch boxes reduces food waste compared to plates. The reason for this is that lunch boxes are more airtight, which prolongs the time it takes for food to spoil. At the same time, the rationing of food in lunchboxes also avoids additional food loss.
You can find this article by searching for keywords such as food waste, plate waste, etc. It features indirect food waste reduction through the process stage. Also, it shows the importance of methods such as rationing to reduce waste.
(Lourenco et al., 2022)
This article analyzes how food is wasted differently in different countries’ cultures and what are the commonalities in this.
This article used data analysis to collect the average annual amount of food waste in each country, as well as the types for comparison. The authors then compared the percentage of waste for different types of food.
The results of the literature indicate that protein products are the most discarded food by consumers, accounting for 39.99% of the total. This is followed by the carbohydrate category of rice and beans. This shows that portioned protein products may reduce food waste.
This literature can be obtained by searching for keywords such as Household food wasteConsumer behaviour. It features a comparison of organic waste generated in different cultures. At the same time, the assignment classifies organic waste, showing on which food products should be more concerned.
(Guérin et al., 2018)
This resource examines the amount and type of residual household waste (RHW) generated by the population within a given area. This study is considered to have critical implications for waste management strategies.
The authors obtained data from the Quebec government to write this article. In addition, they refined the sample to a city, Saguenay, and a village, MRC-Fjord-du-Saguenay, for sampling. At the same time, they added weather and local industry to their analysis to study the household in depth
As a result of the study, the main waste in Quebec is organic matter and plastic. At the same time, the amount of organic matter is much higher than the expected level in Quebec. The authors believe that the government should make appropriate policy changes to increase the recycling rate.
This literature can be found by searching for keywords such as Residual household waste. Thus, it features a survey of individual household waste in conjunction with local business and weather. At the same time, the authors selected a sample of rural and urban areas as a control group.
(Filho et al., 2021)
This source is based on waste generated per household during COVID-19 compared to pre-epidemic. More importantly the author combines government data from the time to support his argument.
This study investigated the reasons for the rise in plastic waste during the COVID-19 closure, using economic, epidemiological, and income effects. The ultimate goal is to reduce the growth of household waste in a possible future pandemic.
This article mentions that with COVID-19 closed, most people chose to buy canned foods, frozen foods, and take-out. However, due to the initial panic, some people hoarded large amounts of food in their homes, causing people to use more precise storage methods for their food. This also led to a downward trend in the level of food waste, but increased the use of plastic products.
This literature can be found by searching for the keywords COVID-19, waste generation, waste management and household waste. Thus, the features of this article analyze the differences in the types of household waste generated in different periods through factors such as household income, social status, etc.
Moreland and Melsop, 2014
This action research study investigate the performance of four design initiatives that attempted to promote recycling and composting among students in a university residence hall.
This research investigated practical and scaleable interventions with the ultimate objective of aiding in the eventual transition to zero waste, using methodologies from social practise design and ethnography.
The Ohio State University successfully launched a zero waste programme in their football stadium in 2011, and they now have ambitions to have their entire campus zero trash by the year 2030. Zero waste initiatives are difficult to implement across campus, especially in resident halls because they depend significantly on students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours and need for a more intricate logistical infrastructure.
The findings of this study may, on a broader scale, contribute to new understanding of comprehensive waste management techniques and social practise design strategies that promote pro-environmental behaviour change. Since this study was conducted at a prestigious American institution where recent initiatives have been made to create a “zero waste campus.”, it offers high relevancy to our research on waste diversion problem in University of Waterloo.
Yusoff, 2018
This article assesses the influence and results UM Zero Waste Campaign achieve in the development of sustainable waste management in University of Malaya.
This research was mainly conducted based on case study methodologies about UM Zero Waste Campaign. Data and results were collected from UM ZWC’s operating projects and a roadmap was drawn up with a target year of 2040 and a 60% landfill diversion aim.
In addition to environmental advantages (pollution prevention and carbon emission reduction), UM ZWC offers a number of other advantages, including opportunities for academic research at UM, contribution to the university’s LCCF (Low Carbon City Framework) target, and use as a platform to enhance students’ soft skills and entrepreneurship abilities. The main elements that can propel the creation of a sustainable waste management model on the UM campus are the involvement of several stakeholders, support from senior management, and industry partnership.
This research shows a detailed analysis of the results and influences of UM Zero Waste Campaign in University of Malaya. Similarly, in our technological factor of PESTEL analysis, the Shift: Zero campaign is created to achieve becoming a zero-waste campus by the year 2035 goal. This research provides a more comprehensive view on how programs like these could help with university residential waste diversion problems.
DiGiacomo et al., 2018
This sources examines how convenience can dramatically increase composting and recycling rates in multi-family dwellings and campus residence.
This research conducts two randomized field experiments which compares the composting and recycling rate by placing recycling stations and compost bins in default places and more convenient locations.
Composting rates improved by 70% when compost bins were positioned on each floor of a multi-family building rather than only the bottom floor, saving each unit and each year 27 kg of compost from the garbage. Recycling increased by 147% (for containers), 137% (for paper), and 139% (for composting) when recycling stations were placed metres from suites in student housing as opposed to in the basement, diverting 23, 22, and 14 kilogrammes of containers, paper, and compost, respectively, from the landfill per person per year.
Making composting and recycling more convenient can boost waste diversion by a large amount. As a result, this single intervention has enormous consequences for waste management and environmental policy.
McCoy et al., 2018
This article tests a behaviorally informed nudge, or intervention, at a university campus in order to identify cost-effective ways to increase recycling participation and ways to calculate cost savings from garbage collection.
It was shown through a number of research that recycling initiatives with a behavioural foundation are beneficial. There were academic buildings, performing arts/studio arts buildings, sports complexes, and campus libraries available for study. All of the places already have well-developed and noticeable recycling programmes in place. After a period of monitoring, changes were made to where the trash and recycling bins were placed. Measurements of current waste diversion rates and changes to those rates as a result of changes in choice architecture were made using waste auditing processes.
At all four research locations, waste diversion rates increased and the percentage of recyclable products in the garbage significantly decreased. Results show that modifying option architecture can improve recycling initiatives that are already deemed effective. This essay also discusses waste removal estimation techniques, which are crucial for calculating cost reductions from such initiatives. Finally, it is advised to target plastic bottles to improve return on investment. Practical ramifications: These techniques can be used by other schools and universities to enhance their recycling efforts and save money.
This is the first study to examine at the application of a nudge on concerns with garbage disposal on a university campus, which offers high relevancy to our research on the economic and social factors of our PESTEL analysis.
Waliczek et al., 2016
This article assesses the association between a campus composting programme and college students’ environmental beliefs, sense of control over the environment, familiarity with compost, and attitudes toward it.
An environmental attitude scale, an environmental locus of control inventory, and questions asking about composting practises, process knowledge, and how it made them feel were all included in a survey administered to undergraduate and graduate students. From two colleges, one of which served as the treatment group and the other as the control group, a total of 660 surveys were gathered.
On the factors of environmental attitudes, environmental locus of control, and composting knowledge, the results showed a statistically significant difference between the school with a composting programme and the school without a composting programme. Additionally, at the institution with a composting programme, compost knowledge, environmental locus of control, and composting attitudes were all positively correlated. Comparing demographics revealed changes in the treatment group’s attitudes about composting, environmental knowledge, and environmental attitudes, but not locus of control.
This research is focused study of food and other organic wastes generated in college campus cafeterias. Its results indicated the importance of setting up a composting programs in school, which echoes the related PESTEL analysis of our research which suggests environmental attitudes and composting knowledge are important contributors to the residential waste disposal issue.
Chee and Yusoff, 2015
The article gives a case study of how composting SOW at the University of Malaya might potentially reduce carbon emissions (UM).
A set of computations were applied in this research to assess the GHG emission of various SOW management scenarios. The estimates are based on IPCC calculation methodologies (AM0025), and they take transportation fuel use, SOW composting activities, and GHG emissions from landfilling into account. The GHG emissions from five different SOW management scenarios at UM were evaluated using the methodologies.
As seen in S3 (47%), S4 (35%) and S2 (29%), waste diversion for composting generally resulted in a considerable net decrease in GHG emissions. Despite the direct on-site activity-related emissions, the landfill’s considerable methane production reduction has decreased net GHG emissions.
Since environmental impacts from waste management are waste and local specific, assessment of GHG emissions reduction via composting of source-separated organic waste is crucial. By assessing the greenhouse gases emissions reduction from composting SOW in MSW in Malaysia and taking its impact into consideration, a better and more systematic approach to manage organic waste will be applied in Canadian institutions.
Rajan et al., 2018
This article discusses the problem of food waste and food insecurity being mutually exclusive concepts in developed countries as well as institutions across North America.
This source conducts a collaborative stuff, faculty, and student-run food waste audit for the 2 primary foodservice providers at its Prince George Campus in the spring of 2015 at the University of Northern British Columbia.
Weekly food waste production was 1.1 tonnes. At UNBC, the percentage of food wastes that are now biodegradable is 43%, but the percentage of trash that is both currently and theoretically compostable is just 26%.
This research based on food waste in North America institutions offers high relevancy to our waste diversion in residence project. In addition, organic food waste echos with our previous research on University of Waterloo’s technology about turning organic waste into fuel.
Kaur et al., 2020
This article reviews prior literatures and researches in food wasted in educational institutions to provide a foundation for upcoming research.
This research applies design and methodology approach. 88 relevant studies were found using a thorough search procedure, which were then reviewed and critically synthesised. Since its location is mainly focused on the USA, the author undertook content analysis to pinpoint the seven themes that served as the framework for the outcomes of earlier investigations.
Drivers of food waste, quantitative assessments of food waste, assessments of the behavioural aspects of food waste, operational strategies for reducing food waste, interventions for causing behavioural changes to mitigate food waste, processes for diverting food from waste and disposing of it, and obstacles to the implementation of food waste reduction strategies are the main themes of the studies that have been reviewed.
By identifying theme-based research gaps, offering possible research topics, and providing a framework based on the open-systems approach to determine the future research agenda, the authors have made a novel addition to the field of research on reducing food waste. In addition, this American based research offers high relevancy to our research in Canadian institutions.
Owojori et al., (2020)
This source explores institutional solids waste management in South Africa as a developing economy, and its potential to prompt a more sustainable campus.
This research assesses characteristics and composition of solid waste management systems across institutions. The ASTM D5321-92 technique for unprocessed municipal solid waste was used to characterise solid waste samples that were taken from important activity locations.
The components of the trash produced that were discovered to be recyclable, compostable, and non-recoverable were found to be 61.7%, 34.4%, and 3.9%, respectively. The trash audit’s findings showed that the institution has a high potential for recycling (61.7%). This would lessen the quantity of garbage dumped in landfills and make it possible to monetize recyclable material that has been collected from the waste stream. By encouraging a circular economy and a sustainable campus, this would reduce the waste footprint of higher education institutions.
This research shows a detailed analysis of solid waste management in University of Venda. Its waste audit research result suggests a great potential for universities to recycle more solid waste and to prompt a circular economy. Although its location is Africa, similar approach could be used for reference in Canadian institutions.
Alattar and Morse, (2021),
This source mainly addresses the the influences of food waste diversion programming, and research results indicate that it can improve student’s attitudes and actions.
This research was mainly conducted based on measures of both direct and indirect food waste behaviour, emotions, knowledge, and attitudes related to food waste conducted by No Scrap Left Behind, a cafeteria food waste diversion program.
In wealthy nations, 60% of the waste generated during the food chain is attributable to eaters (food consumers). To reduce this waste, programmes that aim to influence consumer and family food waste behaviour are crucial. Around the world, school cafeterias provide an ideal setting for teaching about food and nutrition knowledge and for changing associated behaviour. Food waste diversion programming may positively impact students’ attitudes and skills to establish long-term food behaviour change.
This research is focused on study of waste diversion in cafeteria, which is a common source of waste found in university. Its results suggest that by tailoring food waste diversion program to specific population, positive student behaviour towards food waste reduction will be encouraged, which could be an effective solution towards this problem. In addition, organic food waste echos with my previous research on University of Waterloo’s technology about turning organic waste into fuel.
Vorobeva et al. (2022)
The article aimed to determine the impact of implementing the mandatory household waste sorting system known as the Shangai Model to enable waste management.
The study employed a qualitative Basic Model and quantitative system dynamics simulation methods. The researchers collected surveyed data of Zhengzhou using questionnaires to gather information on policy impact on proper waste management behaviour.
The study shows that the success of the Shangai Model lies in using the legal and moral aspects in policy formulation. The intervention model points to reaching out to the residents to engage in waste management out of their willingness.
The article demonstrates that residential waste management through policy formulation can tap into the public’s willingness to engage in waste management. However, such measures require consideration of other factors of waste management, such as the pricing system, which stands out as one of the limitations of the Shangai Model. Therefore, public behaviour and attitude towards waste management play a critical role in the success of sustainability through waste diversion.
Schuster et al. (2022)
The research aimed at answering whether the use of meal boxes can diminish the various household food waste production by disrupting the household routines concerning waste production.
The researchers used a survey design approach to the study on the 955 households from six countries who participated in the study. The participants engaged in a self-report survey, and a dataset of 8747 meal observations was collected by participants filling out the survey tool SurveyMonkey. The results were analyzed using the bayesian multilevel hurdle-lognormal model.
The study’s outcomes show that meal boxes can potentially reduce household food waste. Using meal boxes lowers the occurrence and amount of pan-and-pot food that is waste produced.
The article depicts that meal boxes lower the opportunities for households to produce cooking waste. Despite the study focusing on a specific population that stood out as unrepresentative, the outcomes stand out as applicable. There is a need for earlier research on the appropriate approach to a given residential area. There is a need to also look into the various barriers that may hinder such an approach from applying to the given population.
Baxter et al. (2020)
The study explored the role of energy from waste facilities (EFW) in waste diversion behaviour in Ontario, Canada.
The research used a mail-out mail-back survey to a sample of 324 participants in the Greater Toronto Area and London. The study participants were randomly selected using male routes to complete the questionnaires. The survey entailed the evaluation of self-reported diversion behaviour concerning EFW.
The study revealed that perception about discards ending up in an EFW waste regime impacts the context and attitudes of people towards engaging in waste education. Low discarders indicate they will continue lowering their waste diversion as long as such waste ends up in an EFW facility.
The article suggests that local authorities should determine the existing positive perceptions between EFW facilities and their impact on waste diversion waste. However, further research and education of the residents on the relationship between waste diversion and EFW facilities is necessary to increase waste diversion rates.
Yoshida et al. (2012)
The study aimed to analyze the impact of various waste management practices in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and, thus, achieving environmental conservation and sustainability.
Windrow composting, high-solids anaerobic digestion, large-scale industrial waste anaerobic digester facility, and co-digestion at the local wastewater treatment plant.
The research used an Upstream-Operation-Downstream Framework and analyzed the rate of reduced GHG emissions from organic waste management. The study looked into practices such as high-solids anaerobic digestion, windrow composting, co-digestion at a large-scale industrial waste anaerobic digester facility, and co-digestion at the local wastewater treatment plant.
From the study, the various actors involved in waste management, such as the public, waste management agencies and local authorities, require coordination to ensure effective measures. A focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions effectively fosters waste diversion. Aspects such as public participation, efficiency in collection and the type of waste collected play a crucial role in waste management.
The study cements the cruciality of partnerships with various actors in waste management. Therefore, as the community fosters outreach efforts towards waste management, regional or local waste diversion programs should employ local utilities to ensure waste management. Early research into the role of each actor in the waste diversion process provides a smooth flow of waste management practices.
Bian et al. (2022)
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the consider Certain Time, Certain Place (CTCP) intervention in fostering waste diversion.
The researchers used a cross-sample of six communities randomly selected from a cohort in one district of Shanghai. The research used mixed methods such as direct measurement of tonnages pre- and post-implementation, site observation and open interviews of stakeholders
The study results show that the CTCP approach is not recommended for food waste sorting performance, hence acts as a barrier to waste diversion in residential areas.
The investigation shows that having waste gathered at a particular place and a specific time is a barrier to waste management. Therefore, an early analysis of the barrier helps ensure similar cases do not happen in upcoming interventions and in designing a better waste management approach.
Ho (2018)
Ho looked into the effectiveness of the multi-residential recycling method in fostering waste diversion.
The scholar used a qualitative method in reviewing the secondary sources focusing on multi-residential recycling in waste diversion.
The outcomes of the analysis indicate that elements such as convenience, adequate and appropriate information, and proper infrastructure play a crucial role in the effectiveness of multi-residential recycling in waste diversion. However, the approach is limited by the failure to indicate the conditions that make such an approach effective.
From the article, there is a need to incoporate socil dynamics in advancing the effectiveness of the multi-residential recycling method. Thus, there is a dire need for an exhaustive evaluation of such a method and its efficacy in waste diversion before application in other residential areas.
Khajuria et al. (2022)
The scholars focus on implementing the circular economy as a practical approach to waste diversion.
The article, which analyzes the 16th International Conference on Waste Management and Technology (ICWMT), looks into the innovative circular economy solutions discussed at the conference, the 3Rs policies set in motion and practices in fast-developing countries to foster sustainability. The participants included policymakers, engineers, researchers, and experts.
The journal details that the circular economy has the potential to provide innovative approaches to waste management and food loss.
From the article, a circular economy offers innovative waste management solutions. However, there is a need to integrate various elements, such as practices and approaches towards sustainability. The paper calls for further research on the concept of the circular economy even as countries strive towards attaining sustainability.
Awasthi et al. (2021)
The article discusses the use of the zero-waste approach in waste diversion.
The study takes a qualitative approach and analysis of secondary data touching on the zero waste management process. The scholars divide the data into various themes relating to waste diversion and analyze them for recommendations.
The article concludes that the Zero Waste approach is a valuable frame for the serious environmental problem of waste dumping.
One aspect that comes out is that for the Zero Waste approach to become a regular effort in waste diversion, there is a need for strategic policies, regulations and coordination of various stakeholders. Thus further research on the role of each stakeholder is critical.
Rashid and Shahzad (2021)
The researchers looked at the effectiveness of recycling food waste for compost production in increasing waste diversion and sustainability.
The study used the holy city of Makkah as its study site and the city’s residents as the study participants. The study used quantitative analysis to determine the potential of compost production from food waste.
The article points out that the approach enables waste diversion processes and fosters a circular economy, such as promoting the circular economy.
The approach stands out as a multi-faced one that includes various elements such as economic growth, the circular economy and waste management. Therefore, there is a need for further research and careful consideration of the approach for effective implementation.
Shahid and Hittinger (2021)
The study’s objective was to find the lowest-cost system for handling commercial FW in a post-landfill ban scenario.
The study employed a mixed integer linear programming model while collecting location-based data from commercial generators and livestock farms.
The study results show that using a single FW-only digester and numerous composting facilities causes the lowest cost system for landfill diversion.
From the study, technology plays a crucial role in fostering waste management. Therefore, stakeholders or actors should consider implementing technology-based solutions to waste diversion in residential areas.
Table 2: Statement of Key Findings
Emerging themes from literature reviewed
The first theme from the literature review is the role of public attitude towards effective waste management. For instance, Vorobeva et al. (2022) detail that the residents’ attitudes impact the public’s behaviour towards accepting waste management approaches. The second theme is stakeholder collaboration. Bian et al. (2022) and Awasthi et al. (2021) ascertain the need to incorporate various actors, such as the public, waste management service providers and even local authorities, in waste diversion implementation approaches. The third theme is the integration of various methods of waste diversion. The studies showed that multiple processes could function alone. Vorobeva et al. (2022) state that different actors should consider diverse elements such as social dynamics, public attitudes and behaviour to waste diversion.
Research/Knowledge gap
From the review of the various scholarly sources, the focus of the research should include the role of public attitude and behaviour towards waste management. On top of that, understanding the stakeholder role in the waste diversion is a crucial element to focus on in the research. In the analysis of the Quebec literature (Guérin et al., 2018), local climate should also be considered as an indicator to assess local household waste in the study of waste sorting. In different regions because different climates lead to different times of food spoilage and different types of items used by each household. For example, villages in colder regions produce, For example, villages in colder regions produce a lot of carbon ash or other heating waste. In the Lourenco (2022) study, the authors used different cultures as an indicator. There are dietary differences between cultures. In Asian cultures, rice or white flour products are popular foods. However, these foods can be stored in an uncooked state for a long time. However, beef and other protein products were the leading food in European and American cultures. The presence of people from different cultural backgrounds living in the same community can lead to bias in statistical results.
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