December 3 or 5, noon – 2:00pm, via Zoom
Ava Bjorkman-Tracy
Dr. Dee Eggers
McCullough Fellowship: Department of Environmental Science
Waste management is an increasing public concern in urban areas, especially as population rises leading to increased waste generation and straining the current landfill systems. Furthermore, landfills contribute to climate change due to their significant methane and carbon dioxide emissions. Composting represents a viable solution to these issues by providing a method for sustainable waste management that benefits the environment, economy, and local communities. This study examines some of the various methods for composting food waste and their advantages and challenges.
Informational interviews with site managers at various compost facilities throughout North Carolina compared and contrasted how different counties and municipalities handle their food waste. This facet of the research determined that there are various methods for composting, each varying based on their capacity to accept waste, land and capital limitations, and economic factors. Additionally, a survey was administered to participants of the current compost drop-off system to assess the accessibility of the program and obtain suggestions for improvement. The findings revealed various functionality issues regarding the drop-off locations, sanitation, usability of the sites, and overall attitudes toward composting.