Elisabeth Bowler
Arizona State University
SOS 320: Society and Sustainability
A Sustainable Solution: Compost & Green Waste in Apache Junction
Analysis of the Problem
Overconsumption in urban areas has caused an increase in the amount of materials being disposed of in landfills. There are many sustainable ways to lower the amount of waste occupying landfills including reducing consumption, reusing products until they no longer serve a purpose, composting at home or in your community, city-wide green waste programs, and finally recycling products.
Points of Intervention
The first point of intervention is at the current state. It is our responsibility now to understand how our actions impact the world around us and develop solutions to them. One solution at this point is to reduce consumption patterns and assist in spreading information to others.Â
Another point of intervention is after trying the first intervention for a while and realizing that reducing consumption works to a certain extent but there will always be some form of waste created. At this point we can pinpoint what kind of waste out community creates and research programs that work in other communities for those problems.Â
The next point of intervention is to implement the researched and specified programs into the local community. Examples include city-wide green waste programs, more inclusive recycling programs, and continuing to educate and encourage residents to find sustainable ways to dispose of their waste products.Â
The last point of intervention is whenever the community changes to need different solutions. When the needs of the community changes, the solutions may need to be adapted to fit those specific needs. This will likely continue throughout time and will require involvement and commitment to a better future.
Solution Actions and Intermediate Outcomes
Initialization
Solving this problem begins by researching and understanding the impact of waste on communities near and far. With this gained knowledge, we can spread awareness of the need to change the way we do things to promote a healthy and sustainable future. City council meetings and interactions with the local community will be important for gaining an understanding of what the community needs and is willing to change.Â
Acceleration
Next, many programs will be researched and implemented to target the specific needs of the community. With the community's assistance, the local policy makers and waste companies can determine what solutions are financially realistic for the community members and companies.Â
Stabilization
Finally, the solutions previously executed will need to be adaptable to the evolving conditions of the community. As the community expands and as societal expectations change, more solutions may be able to be implemented that better serve the changing requirements of the community.
Stakeholders and Their Roles for Executing Solution Actions
Pioneers
The city officials researching current city waste usage and connecting with waste management companies are the pioneers of this project. They actively address and discuss with community members ways they can reduce their consumption and the impact it has on waste processes.Â
Researchers
The members of the city council in conjunction with project members at the city and waste management companies are the researchers. Members of teams who researched and implemented past projects are also researchers as their successful projects are likely researched for this project.Â
Fundraisers
The fundraisers are community members as well as elected officials and city workers who are invested in the future of the community. They will be the ones to find the source of funding for the community outreach efforts as well as making sure the solutions are financially feasible for the community.Â
Multipliers
The multipliers are city officials who stay up to date with the latest needs of the community and discover what other projects have been completed world-wide. They document the parts of the project that are successful and figure out answers to the parts that are unsuccessful.Â
Networkers
Community members and local officials invested in the project are the networkers. They are spreading the word of the success of the project and encouraging community members to participate.Â
Mediators
The city council members are the mediators. They work with the community members and businesses to develop community action plans that are beneficial for everyone involved. The city council encourages community and business input so that the project can be the most successful.
Resources For Executing Solution Actions
The resources required for the implementation of these solution actions are community involvement through knowledge and participation in the implemented programs;Â household recycling, compost, and green waste bins in addition to the required waste bin; and community gardens that will benefit from the compost collected throughout the city that all city members can participate in. Other resources include the time of community members, businesses, and city employees working on the projects and spreading the word as well as the money needed for researching and implementing new initiatives. The option to recycle, compost, and dispose of green waste in every house will encourage residents to find sustainable ways to reduce their consumption patterns and plan for the future.
Available Assets
The available assets are the collection trucks that the waste management company has to pick up all of the waste throughout the city. The facilities where recycling is sorted and landfills where trash is disposed of are assets as well. An additional asset that would be required is somewhere to store and maintain the compost and green waste before reusing it and the transportation methods for them.
Barriers and Coping Tactics
One of the barriers is inconvenience of spending time sorting through household waste to separate compost, recycling, green waste, and finally trash. Community members may be reluctant to spending their time sorting through their waste when they could easily throw it all in the waste bin. This can be remedied by increasing the awareness of what goes in which bin, perhaps by labelling it on the bin itself and putting the information on the city and community social media pages.
Another barrier is the lack of knowledge and availability of the programs. Community members do not know why it is important to reduce, reuse, and recycling (in that order). Community members also do not know what can and can not be recycled and composted and many do not wish to devote their personal time to learning what they need to do. Some communities do not have recycling or compost programs and members do not know how to sustainably dispose of their waste. This can be solved by developing programs that the community are involved in and excited about. In addition, spreading awareness on social media and encouraging resident involvement in a community garden will assist with informing members of the community.
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Evidence
The City of Mesa, a neighboring city has encouraged community members to participate in a "Backyard Composting Program" (City of Mesa). The City of Mesa charges a one time $5 fee for the compost container to be delivered to a home. The residents then have the ability to compost in their homes and yards. The City of Mesa website has a list of steps for how residents can have be successful in their composting endeavor (City of Mesa). This program is a good example of what composting programs can be when implemented and encouraged on the resident level.Â
Sprouts Farmers Markets are "committed to zero food waste...in 2015, all Sprouts stores donates more than 14 million pounds of fresh food to local hunger relief agencies through their Food Rescue Program" (EPA, 2019). This is an example of how a grocery store can make a positive change in a community. Encouraging other companies to incorporate similar programs would divert wasted food from landfills and support the local community.
Transition Management Curve
Resources
City of Mesa. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/solid-waste-trash-recycling-/trash-recycling-for-single-family-homes/blue-recyle-barrel-program
EPA. Reducing the Impact of Wasted Food by Feeding the Soil and Composting. (2019, November 21). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/reducing-impact-wasted-food-feeding-soil-and-composting