Survey Results on Impacts to Higher Ed Recycling & Waste Reduction
Campus Recyclers See Challenges & Opportunities from COVID-19
A partnership of organizations have published the preliminary results of survey into the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education waste reduction efforts. Recycling and sustainability managers from over 130 schools across the US and Canada have participated in the 15-question survey covering topics such as indoor collection programs, budget impacts and reusable to-go food container programs. Among the results, COVID is causing:
- Many schools to convert deskside waste to self-service collections. Roughly 20% have or are actively considering the shift.
- 30% of schools to temporarily suspend reusable to-go food container programs, even as 8% are working to introduce or expand such programs.
- 29% of schools to cut recycling staff positions.