Home Waste Audit: A Community Science Activity to Increase Waste Literacy and Reduce Household Waste

Abstract

The amount of household waste produced worldwide is increasing every year. In combination with other actions to reduce waste production and improve waste management, community engagement and community-focused programs are needed to motivate the public to change their behavior in such a way that reduces their waste generation and increases the accuracy of waste sorting. It is also helpful for people to become more waste literate to empower them to be part of the solution. The Home Waste Audit (HWA) is a community science activity designed to increase waste literacy and reduce household waste. In the HWA, participants record their waste for a set period of time, research their local waste streams, and complete surveys to share perceptions of household waste habits. Here, we present data from a HWA conducted in 2021 as a case study. Before the audit, 66% of participants underestimated their weekly waste generation. Throughout the HWA, weekly waste count among households decreased by 31%. Participants found purchasing items with less/no packaging and avoiding single-use plastics challenging. Easier changes included learning which items can/cannot be recycled and repurposing waste items. Several changes to waste habits were maintained 1 year after participation. These results demonstrate that the HWA is an effective tool for individuals to be a part of the solution by learning about local waste streams, reducing waste production, and accurately managing their household waste.