How to create an effective waste-management program
A good waste-management program is essential for reaching sustainable goals at local, national, and international levels, both now and in the future. To achieve these goals, it’s important to start implementing systems in public spaces. Over time, waste-management practices can help create a more sustainable way of living, while also benefiting the communities in which they’re applied. Public playgrounds and parks are great places to begin using these systems for economic, social, and environmental reasons.
A Worthy Expense
Before exploring the benefits of a strong waste-management program, it’s important to understand what makes one effective. What exactly does a strong program entail? It involves creating separate bins or areas for different types of waste, making it clear where each item will go. These bins should be labeled with easy-to-understand signs and bold images that show the most common items found in parks and playgrounds. The key is to ensure the waste-sorting process is easy and accessible for people of all ages.
While it might seem simple, there are real benefits to promoting proper waste sorting. “Economically, having a strong multi-stream waste-management program can sound daunting and more expensive. After all, the going rate for long-lasting bins can be around $1,500 per bin” (Alec Cooley, recyclingtoday.com, 2017). If you multiply that by the number of bins needed for different types of waste, the cost can add up quickly. However, in the long run, the benefits of having a good waste-management program are worth the expense.
At the planning stage of any construction project, the budget is always a major concern. The key is figuring out how to make the most of available funds. While strong waste-management systems might seem like an added expense, they can save money in the long term. One of the biggest savings comes from reducing disposal costs. By diverting recyclables and compostable waste away from landfills, communities can reduce the amount of waste sent to these facilities, which lowers transportation costs. In areas where landfill costs are high, this can result in significant savings.
Additionally, recyclables collected through these programs can be sold to recycling facilities, which can generate extra income. These materials can also be repurposed into new products, which helps create a circular economy. In some cases, recyclable materials can even be used in future building projects, lowering costs. By considering these long-term savings, the initial cost of waste-management programs starts to seem like a smart investment.
Major Social Impact
But the benefits of a good waste-management program go beyond money. These programs can also have a positive social impact, especially when implemented in busy public spaces like playgrounds and parks. Public spaces are great places to teach people about recycling and proper waste disposal in simple, everyday ways. This helps create a positive environmental impact.
By offering more opportunities to recycle in public areas, leaders can help capture more recyclable materials. At the same time, leaders can encourage a culture of recycling. When people find value in waste being properly sorted and treated, they are more likely to do the same in their daily lives.
Waste-management programs in parks and playgrounds can help visitors change their behavior. They can learn to think twice before throwing things away and start considering how to sort their recyclables, compostable materials, and other waste. This can lead to cleaner, more respectful environments where people take responsibility for their actions. When people properly sort organic waste like food scraps and yard waste, these materials can be sent to composting facilities to be broken down naturally. Instead of sitting in landfills, creating harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, these materials can help enrich the soil, benefiting plants and wildlife.
The environmental benefits of strong waste-management programs are also significant. As mentioned, compostable waste that ends up in landfills releases harmful greenhouse gases. But what about the environmental benefits of recycling? Proper recycling reduces the need to harvest new raw materials, which helps reduce pollution and environmental damage. This also helps support the circular economy, where materials are reused instead of thrown away. By recycling and composting, participants can lower emissions and make a positive impact on the planet.
In fact, according to Dr. Calvin Lakhan from York University, “The integration of physical infrastructure with educational initiatives proves crucial for program success” (York University, 2024). This means that combining well-designed waste-management systems with efforts to teach people about proper sorting can make these programs even more successful. For waste-management programs to work well in public spaces, it’s important to have clear, easy-to-read signs that explain how to sort waste. A color-coded system can help people know which bin to use, and shapes on the openings of bins can make sure people are putting things in the right places.
The Bigger Picture
Having waste-management programs in places like playgrounds and parks is a simple way to start making a difference. If these systems are designed in a way that is consistent across different public spaces, it will make it easier for people to understand and follow the rules. Educational elements, such as signs and information, will also help people make better choices about how to dispose of waste. Keeping public spaces clean is important not only for visitors but also for wildlife and plant life that call these areas home.
The bigger picture is that, by introducing strong waste-management systems in public spaces, leaders are taking a step toward a cleaner, greener future. These programs help reduce pollution, conserve resources, and promote positive social and environmental behavior. With economic, social, and environmental benefits, waste-management programs in public spaces are an easy way to make a big impact. The investment is small compared to the long-term benefits, and it can create a lasting, positive change in communities and beyond.
When introducing programs into these spaces, some factors must be considered. To choose the correct specifications for a space, take into consideration the size, style, material, and features of the bins the department will purchase. Will its capacity fill the space’s needs? Are the materials durable given the weather conditions? Also, be sure that these bins are placed in the best areas to maximize their potential. Make sure there is a service schedule in place so they are well-maintained, and, as previously mentioned, keep in mind color distinction, restrictive openings if necessary, labels, and well-placed signage.
Tying it all together, waste-management programs in public spaces such as parks and playgrounds can have a huge impact on the environment, society, and economy. These programs not only save money by reducing waste and creating new opportunities for recycling, but they also help educate the public and encourage more responsible behavior. They are a simple, yet effective way to help create a cleaner, greener future for everyone.
Tyler Baillie is the Sales & Marketing Coordinator and a TRUE Advisor for Busch Systems.
