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Title: Source segregation and food waste prevention activities in high-density households in a deprived urban area

Abstract

Highlights: • Study of waste management in economically and socially deprived high-density housing. • Food waste segregation, prevention and recycling activities investigated. • Study involved a waste audit and household survey of 1034 households. • Populations in such areas are “hard-to-reach”. • Exceptional efforts and additional resources are required to improve performance. - Abstract: A waste audit and a household questionnaire survey were conducted in high-density housing estates in one of the most economically and socially deprived areas of England (Haringey, London). Such areas are under-represented in published research. The study examined source segregation, potential participation in a food waste segregation scheme, and food waste prevention activities in five estates (1034 households). The results showed that: contamination of recyclables containers was low; ca. 28% of the mixed residual waste’s weight was recyclable; food waste comprised a small proportion of the waste from these residents, probably because of their relatively disadvantaged economic circumstances; and the recycling profile reflected an intermittent pattern of behaviour. Although the majority of respondents reported that they would participate in a food waste separation scheme, the response rate was low and many responses of “don’t know” were recorded. Municipalities committed to foster improved diversion from landfill needmore » to recognise that there is no “quick and easy fix”, regardless of local or national aspirations. Lasting and sustained behaviour change requires time and the quality of service provision and associated infrastructure play a fundamental role in facilitating residents to participate effectively in waste management activities that maximise capture of source-segregated materials. Populations in deprived areas that reside in high-rise, high-density dwellings are “hard-to-reach” in terms of participation in recycling schemes and exceptional efforts and additional resources are usually required to improve performance.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22472556
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Waste Management
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 44; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0956-053X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; CONTAINERS; CONTAMINATION; FOOD; HOUSEHOLDS; RECYCLING; SANITARY LANDFILLS; SEGREGATION; UNITED KINGDOM; WASTES

Citation Formats

Rispo, A., Williams, I.D., E-mail: idw@soton.ac.uk, and Shaw, P. J. Source segregation and food waste prevention activities in high-density households in a deprived urban area. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1016/J.WASMAN.2015.04.010.
Rispo, A., Williams, I.D., E-mail: idw@soton.ac.uk, & Shaw, P. J. Source segregation and food waste prevention activities in high-density households in a deprived urban area. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WASMAN.2015.04.010
Rispo, A., Williams, I.D., E-mail: idw@soton.ac.uk, and Shaw, P. J. 2015. "Source segregation and food waste prevention activities in high-density households in a deprived urban area". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WASMAN.2015.04.010.
@article{osti_22472556,
title = {Source segregation and food waste prevention activities in high-density households in a deprived urban area},
author = {Rispo, A. and Williams, I.D., E-mail: idw@soton.ac.uk and Shaw, P. J.},
abstractNote = {Highlights: • Study of waste management in economically and socially deprived high-density housing. • Food waste segregation, prevention and recycling activities investigated. • Study involved a waste audit and household survey of 1034 households. • Populations in such areas are “hard-to-reach”. • Exceptional efforts and additional resources are required to improve performance. - Abstract: A waste audit and a household questionnaire survey were conducted in high-density housing estates in one of the most economically and socially deprived areas of England (Haringey, London). Such areas are under-represented in published research. The study examined source segregation, potential participation in a food waste segregation scheme, and food waste prevention activities in five estates (1034 households). The results showed that: contamination of recyclables containers was low; ca. 28% of the mixed residual waste’s weight was recyclable; food waste comprised a small proportion of the waste from these residents, probably because of their relatively disadvantaged economic circumstances; and the recycling profile reflected an intermittent pattern of behaviour. Although the majority of respondents reported that they would participate in a food waste separation scheme, the response rate was low and many responses of “don’t know” were recorded. Municipalities committed to foster improved diversion from landfill need to recognise that there is no “quick and easy fix”, regardless of local or national aspirations. Lasting and sustained behaviour change requires time and the quality of service provision and associated infrastructure play a fundamental role in facilitating residents to participate effectively in waste management activities that maximise capture of source-segregated materials. Populations in deprived areas that reside in high-rise, high-density dwellings are “hard-to-reach” in terms of participation in recycling schemes and exceptional efforts and additional resources are usually required to improve performance.},
doi = {10.1016/J.WASMAN.2015.04.010},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22472556}, journal = {Waste Management},
issn = {0956-053X},
number = ,
volume = 44,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}