Are Awareness and Convenience The Main Factors Inhibiting Progressive Recycling Behaviors on Carthage College’s Campus?

Abstract

The discussion of sustainability can be directly applied to businesses, and even more narrowly, colleges and universities. With these institutions in place to help promise better futures, it's only fitting that they too are engaged in sustainable decision making. In 2016, the United States reached a staggering 215 kilograms of paper use per person (State of Global Paper Industry). In recent years, over 400 million tonnes of paper was consumed globally within the year (State of Global Paper Industry). Far too often, businesses associate the concept of “going green” with losing profit. Businesses with intent to grow and last can greatly benefit from integrating this sustainability into their planning. So far, there have been various higher education institutions around the United States developing ways of reducing their paper waste. A closer look into Carthage’s progress thus far found what was working and what was missing in terms of waste reduction. Two major factors are concluded to be imperative in making Carthage a more sustainable campus: awareness and convenience. These factors are analyzed through conducting a campus-wide survey that addresses the recycling behaviors and paper usage of students, faculty and staff at Carthage College.