What are some strategies for encouraging building occupants to reduce waste?

2 Provide adequate facilities and infrastructure

Another essential strategy for encouraging building occupants to reduce waste is to provide adequate facilities and infrastructure that support waste reduction activities, such as recycling, composting, reusing, and repairing. This means ensuring that there are enough bins, containers, labels, and collection systems for different types of waste, that they are conveniently located and easy to use, and that they are regularly maintained and emptied. It also means providing spaces and equipment for storing, exchanging, or repairing items that can be reused or refurbished, such as furniture, books, or electronics.

4 Engage and empower

A fourth strategy for encouraging building occupants to reduce waste is to engage and empower them to take ownership and responsibility for waste reduction in the building. This can involve creating opportunities for participation, collaboration, and feedback, such as surveys, committees, events, or competitions. It can also involve recognizing and rewarding the efforts and achievements of the occupants, such as through certificates, prizes, or public recognition. By engaging and empowering the occupants, the building can foster a sense of community, commitment, and pride among them, and motivate them to adopt more sustainable behaviors.

5 Monitor and evaluate

A fifth strategy for encouraging building occupants to reduce waste is to monitor and evaluate the performance and progress of waste reduction in the building. This can involve collecting and analyzing data on the amount, type, and source of waste generated, recycled, or diverted, as well as the costs and savings associated with waste reduction. It can also involve assessing the satisfaction, awareness, and attitudes of the occupants towards waste reduction, and identifying the challenges, opportunities, and best practices. By monitoring and evaluating the results, the building can track its achievements, identify areas for improvement, and communicate its successes to the occupants and other stakeholders.

6 Learn and improve

A sixth strategy for encouraging building occupants to reduce waste is to learn from the experience and feedback of the occupants and other stakeholders, and to improve the waste reduction strategies accordingly. This can involve reviewing and updating the waste reduction goals, policies, and plans, as well as the education, communication, and engagement activities. It can also involve implementing new or innovative solutions, technologies, or practices that can enhance waste reduction in the building. By learning and improving, the building can ensure that its waste reduction strategies are effective, relevant, and responsive to the needs and preferences of the occupants and the changing context.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?