By Luis E. Gamboa Robles
1) Interaction(s)—Describe the human-environment interaction(s) that are the topic of your map addition. (2 points)
The human-environment interaction is between Mason students and staff and the use of trash cans found collectively all over campus. More specifically the food waste generated by Mason students and staff on campus. This form of waste can have various impacts on the environment.
2) Resource characteristics—Describe the characteristics of the resource systems and/or units, e.g. the environmental side of the interaction. What aspect of the environment is involved? How? What are some of the critical ecological factors? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
The human-environmental interaction between trash bins and people contain various resource systems that play a role in this interaction. The first main aspect of the environment that is involved is the Mason Campus where the main interaction takes place. In this environment people consume food and other products, which are then dumped into trash bins. There have been some cases where I have personally seen trash bins overflowing with waste and trash being blown away. The waste being blown away and scattered can negatively impact the animals living on campus. Later on these waste bins are emptied out and are taken to an incinerator. Other aspects of the environment that are affected by this waste is the atmosphere and water cycle. These aspects are largely affected because of the amount of greenhouse emissions that can be created by regular incinerators. In addition, critical ecological features that are affected include the pH levels of soil and temperature. Any food waste that ends up in these trash bins can collectively produce a large amount of methane, which is more powerful than CO2. (MoveForHunger, n.d.) Greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, are known strongly for increasing temperature.
3) Governance/user characteristics—Describe the characteristics of the governance systems and/or users, e.g. the human side of the interaction. Who is involved? What political institutions? How are they involved? What might be some of the drivers? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
The human side of the interaction includes Mason students and staff, waste and recycling collectors, and perhaps the Environmental Protection Agency. The political institution that is involved is the president of George Mason and respective staff. They are involved as it is their role to make regulations and policies that affect the campus either through hiring specific staff members to make them or enforce them. One specific driver of this institution is to keep their campus clean and safe for all students and staff. The Environmental Protection Agency is another institution that is involved. Their goal as of 2015, is to reduce food loss and waste in half by the year 2030 in the United States, which can be one of their drivers. (Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.) Waste and recycling collectors are involved because they need to be hired by George Mason to collect waste, in order to earn a profit for their business.
4) Social/cultural/economic/political settings or related ecosystems—Do any of the following play a role? [Social context] Cultural factors, economic development, demographic trends, political stability, resource policies, market incentives, media organization; [Related ecosystems] Climate patterns, pollution patterns, ecological flows in/out of the SES. (2 points)
Cultural factors and economic development play a role in the interaction between students and staff and trash bins. Cultural factors that may influence this interaction is the societal standard to keep everything as clean as possible. A messy, polluted campus is a horrible image in society’s eyes, which is a great motivator for universities to stay as clean as possible. Economic development influences the interaction as waste and recycling collectors are more inclined to reach out to universities and provide them their service, knowing that these campuses are a great source of waste and can make them profit.
5) What can we do?—What are the implications of this interaction on humans and the environment? How could we do differently at Mason to improve them? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
The main implication of this interaction between humans and the environment is pollution, specifically air pollution. To improve these conditions I believe that Mason should emphasize a stronger importance on composting on campus and encourage students and staff to reduce their food waste as much as possible. Composting is able to provide various benefits such as reducing the waste stream, cutting back on methane emissions, conserving water, improving soil health, and lessening erosion. (Hu, 2020)
In order to do so, George Mason should increase the accessibility of compost bins found on campus, placing them nearby housing and offices all over campus. These bins of food waste would be taken to the composting site that Mason already currently works with, Veteran Compost. (Auger, 2018) There should also be information provided either on the bin or on a sign nearby, that provides more information on the importance of composting. If Mason takes this action, not only will the University be able to reduce the impact of food waste on the environment, but they will be able to educate and spread awareness about the importance of composting. In addition, this a great alternative to incinerating the waste and allows the waste to serve another eco-friendly purpose.
10) If relevant—Is the university acting on this issue? State any actions that are already underway or have been taken by the university. (1 point)
Yes, George Mason is taking a step towards acting on this issue. They are currently partnered with an organization focused on composting food waste from campus dining halls. In addition, George Mason sends their collected waste to a waste to energy incinerator in Lorton, Va. (Auger, 2018). The waste to energy incinerator that George Mason is partnered with, filters and cleans any dangerous gasses created from their site. (Covanta)
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Citations
Auger, P. author
B. B. (2018). Who collects our trash and recycling, and where does it go? Office of Sustainability. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://green.gmu.edu/ufaqs/who-collects-our-trash-and-recycling-and-where-does-it-go/
Covanta. (n.d.). Covanta. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://www.covanta.com/where-we-are/our-facilities/fairfax
July 20, 2020 S. H. (2021, November 30). Composting 101. NRDC. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/composting-101
The environmental impact of Food Waste. Move For Hunger. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://moveforhunger.org/the-environmental-impact-of-food-waste
Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). United States 2030 Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal. EPA. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/united-states-2030-food-loss-and-waste-reduction-goal#epa%20action