Trash Talk: A Case Study of Waste Analysis at Pomona College

Purpose: This paper presents the pedagogical initiatives associated with and the practical outcomes of a multi-student independent study that analyzed the campus waste stream and developed real-world solutions in accord with the college’s sustainability commitments and goals. Design/methodology: The paper reviews the course structure, presents research findings and the individual student-developed solutions, and assesses their ability to reduce the campus’s waste stream. Findings: Developing a class to audit the campus waste stream offers students an unusual educational opportunity to apply theoretical insights to and test these against a real-world problem; their analyses and projects also has helped the college more sustainably manage its waste stream. Originality/value: This paper identifies the practical and educational advantages for participating students; and the particular benefits the institution will derive from their waste-stream research