The Possibility of Expanding Curbside Recycling in Cincinnati to Include Hard-to-Recycle Materials

Abstract

Record ID: 101

Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship; Excellence in Research Communication

Program Affiliation: Capstone

Presentation Type: Poster

Abstract: As consumption increases, safe disposal of materials is becoming challenging. Mismanagement of trash harms air and water quality and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The new production of plastic is also more harmful than recycling used plastics. Cincinnati currently has a standard curbside recycling program. This project investigates how the city can expand its recycling program. This project is working in accordance with the goals of the Green Cincinnati Plan to include e-waste, textiles, and other hard to recycle materials in curbside recycling. We have reviewed literature and investigated how other cities recycle. Additionally, we surveyed Cincinnati residents to gain a better understanding of how knowledgeable Cincinnati is on recycling. We expect to find that the best way to improve the recycling program is to start small and to first expand the current system to areas where recycling is unavailable. It is important to involve the community when changing a familiar system. Education will be crucial since there is a lot of confusion about what can be recycled curbside. Residents also need to be informed about the current state of resource degradation for them to care about reusing materials. The outcome of our research will inform the best ways to educate the community and implement more recycling options. Our next steps include sending our research to the city of Cincinnati so they can implement it when moving forward with their zero-waste initiative.