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Durham: Designing a community-centered curbside food waste collection program

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Designing and testing a curbside food waste collection program in Durham, NC required marrying behavioral science, community-centered design, and rigorous evaluation to achieve significant waste reduction and environmental benefits for residents.

Durham is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, progressive values, and commitment to sustainability. Durham prioritizes community engagement and empowerment, striving for equity and inclusivity.

The genesis of our practice, a curbside food waste collection service, stemmed from a waste reduction initiative embedded in the City's Strategic Plan. Recognizing the economic, environmental, and social challenges posed by landfilling compostable waste, Durham embarked on a journey to create a community-driven, no-cost curbside composting service. This innovative approach emerged from data-driven insights, fiscal prudence, environmental stewardship, and a steadfast commitment to justice, reflecting Durham's ethos of innovation and inclusivity.

Our methodology started with a citywide survey and resident interviews, followed by prototyping, full-scale implementation, and a randomized controlled trial to measure impact. Throughout all phases, this practice employed a multi-channel resident communication approach, utilizing social media, community groups, flyers, text helplines, and postcards to engage residents. The most innovative aspect lies in our iterative and inclusive approach, integrating human-centered design, rigorous evaluation, and engagement with garbage collections staff to enhance program effectiveness.

Specific groups targeted include diverse residents and garbage collectors, ensuring comprehensive representation and empowerment. Evaluation mechanisms encompassed qualitative surveys, interviews, and quantitative data on waste reduction, spillover behaviors, and resident feedback.

The impact of our practice has been substantial, with significant waste diversion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and positive effects on resident satisfaction. Over 30,000 pounds of food waste were diverted from landfills in the first year, with a potential annual reduction of 14,000 tons if scaled citywide. Residents showed increased positive perceptions of local government, indicating broad social benefits beyond environmental achievements. The practice has contributed to institutionalizing participatory democracy in Durham, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship among residents.

Durham: Designing a community-centered curbside food waste collection program
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