Responding to the global pursuit of zero waste, Waste Data and Analysis Center (WDAC) researchers have introduced a comprehensive systems-based approach for assessing related programs, moving beyond traditional metrics. The framework, presented by Dr. Ashpreet Kaur, Dr. Krista L. Thyberg, and Dr. David J. Tonjes, was recently published in the journal Sustainability.
The proposed approach advocates analyzing waste management across three interconnected scales: the micro level (individual and household behaviors), the meso level (organizational practices within businesses and institutions), and the macro level (regional policies, infrastructure, and governmental influence).
Stemming from Dr. Kaur’s doctoral dissertation, the research reveals that isolated efforts at any single level are insufficient for achieving ambitious zero-waste goals. Instead, true progress requires coordinated strategies aligning individual actions (micro), organizational policies (meso), and broader governmental regulations (macro). To aid this, the paper introduces specific indicators tailored to each level, facilitating more thorough assessments and guiding targeted improvements.
As part of the Department of Technology and Society at Stony Brook University, WDAC is committed to advancing sustainable waste management practices. This study’s systems-thinking approach directly supports WDAC’s mission to develop integrated, data-driven solutions addressing complex waste challenges across multiple societal levels. For a detailed exploration of the proposed systems approach and its practical applications, read the full article in Sustainability.