Universities as models for developing future waste strategies / policies for integrated and sustainable cities

Managing solid waste is always in the top five of the most challenging problems for city managers. Following the waste hierarchy, avoidance of waste is the priority, followed by recycling and “waste engineering” (up-scaling) to minimize the amount that goes to waste incineration and landfills.

In collaboration with the University of Southampton’s (UoS) Estates & Facilities, Procurement and Accommodation Services teams, and the UoS’s waste contractor (Suez), the purpose of this study will be to identify, develop and evaluate the potential use of waste avoidance, prevention, reuse and selective recycling strategies at carefully selected locations on the UoS’s footprint. For example, year-long trials at high-density high-rise accommodation blocks would mimic similar accommodation in large metropolitan cities. Similar trials at a campus level (e.g. Highfield) would mimic the impacts of carefully selected approaches on metropolitan city centres. The first phase will identify key learning from professional practice (assisted by Suez) and the global literature and use them to develop year-long trials at the UoS. The second phase will be the implementation of the trials and the third phase will involve qualitative and quantitative evaluation and development of strategies/policies for integrated, sustainable cities using the outcomes and results. This will feed into UK and global practice and will be trailed by Suez at larger urban scales.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Professor Ian Williams, Centre for Environmental Science, Email: [Email Address Removed], Tel: +44 (0) 2380 598755