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Rocky Mountain National Park waste audit and recycling behavioral change intervention initiative

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dc.contributor.authorDale, Elliot, author
dc.contributor.authorNobe, MaryEllen C., advisor
dc.contributor.authorClevenger, Caroline, committee member
dc.contributor.authorCross, Jennifer, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T08:26:32Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T08:26:32Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractMany federal, regional, and local municipalities and organizations have identified solid waste management, with a focus on landfill waste reduction, to be a core component of their sustainability operations. Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is one such organization seeking to increase sustainability through improved landfill waste diversion. RMNP conducted a park-wide waste audit in the summer of 2011, identifying the Family Campground location type as having the greatest opportunity to increase recycling rates and decrease trash volumes. Moraine Park Campground, the largest campground in RMNP, was selected for a two-year behavior change campaign and study. Community-based Social Marketing (CBSM) was used as the framework to identify strategies to increase recycling behaviors of park visitors. In accordance with CBSM, observations of waste disposal behaviors and intercept surveys with Moraine Park Campground visitors were conducted. Analysis of this data was performed using two qualitative data analysis techniques: Template Analysis and Constant Comparison. Such analyses identified the barriers to recycling to be awareness, convenience, and commitment. Analyses identified recycling benefits to include general environmental benefits, a connection to place, cleanliness, and the preservation of the environment for future generations. Utilizing CBSM tools for strategy development, strategies to promote recycling behaviors included: gaining recycling commitments upon campground entrance, receipt of equipment for sorting recyclables, Ranger programs to increase recycling commitment and awareness, and the use of multiple recycling prompts to act as reminders. These strategies were implemented in Moraine Park Campground in the summer of 2012 with varying success and consistency. A second waste audit conducted in 2012 found recyclables in the landfill waste stream reduced in the Family and Group Campground overall by 6% and 19%, respectively, as compared to the 2011 waste audit. This equates to a 23% decrease of recyclables in the waste stream in the Family Campground and a 68% decrease in the Group Campground. In addition, an exit survey was distributed to campers to determine their awareness of the strategies, and the perceived effectiveness of the implemented strategies. Results indicate that a camper's commitment to recycle coupled with the receipt of a reusable recycling bag was the most effective recycling behavior change strategy. Moreover, prompts in high visibility locations to remind campers to recycle were also highly effective. To further increase recycling in RMNP campgrounds, the barriers and benefits to long-term, institutional behavior change of park employees should be further researched. This study provides insight into the use of behavior change strategies for sustainable waste management in a National Park campground setting. The results can help other locations with similar visitor/employee interactions develop strategies to increase recycling participation.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierDale_colostate_0053N_11433.pdf
dc.identifierETDF2012400378CONM
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/71632
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectcommunity-based social marketing
dc.subjectwaste reduction
dc.subjectsustainable behavior change
dc.subjectrecycling
dc.subjectmixed methods research approach
dc.titleRocky Mountain National Park waste audit and recycling behavioral change intervention initiative
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineConstruction Management
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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