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UBC has a Litter-al Issue : A Comprehensive Outdoor Litter Audit at the University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia. Municipal Services; University of British Columbia. Campus and Community Planning

This University of British Columbia (UBC) outdoor litter audit encompasses a preliminary understanding of the UBC outdoor litter problem. The audit was developed in consultation with the Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) sustainability program, UBC Municipal Services, and Dr. Zeina Baalbaki. It successfully investigated and determined the prevalence and composition of outdoor litter with relation to high traffic areas and proximity to waste receptacles. Through developing a litter monitoring plan, implementing an outdoor waste audit, and comprehensively analyzing waste composition and density data, the audit identified key sources of litter and generated realistic solutions. The litter audit, conducted on March 23rd, 2024, revealed multiple results. It identified that cigarettes, packaging wrappers, takeout items, and receipts made up 57% of all litter collected. It also showed that out of all litter collected, litter in a 1-meter radius of waste receptacles was 10 times denser (by number of items per square meter) than litter collected within 6 meters of the receptacle. Two monitoring plans, two solutions, and multiple recommendations were developed to address the litter areas of concern. The monitoring plans will act to collect necessary information on the impact of litter on stormwater quality, and to bolster university databases on litter prevalence, location, and composition. The solutions consisted of improving accessibility and efficacy of current disposal infrastructure relating to multi-streamed waste bins and cigarette receptacles. There are significant opportunities of growth to address UBC’s outdoor litter issue – integrating continued litter monitoring with pre-existing programs, increased accessibility of outdoor paper recycling, redesigning waste receptacle openings, and considering human interaction with waste receptacles. Given that UBC has not engaged in an outdoor litter audit before, continued litter monitoring will significantly improve data robustness which can better inform future waste management decisions. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”

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UBC Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Student Report; University of British Columbia. ENVE 202

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0444918

Applied Science, Faculty of; Other UBC

Undergraduate

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