Disaster decision-making to support sustainable waste management
Citation:
Matsler, M. AND K. Maxwell. Disaster decision-making to support sustainable waste management. EPA International Decontamination Research and Development Conference, Charleston, SC, December 05 - 07, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
This research uses social science methods to investigate the social and decision processes that affect how and why waste managers make the decisions they do about recycling, composting, and re-use as part of debris removal and waste management.
Description:
Disaster debris removal is essential for community recovery and resilience. However, it is a lengthy, costly, and logistically challenging part of response and recovery operations. Managing waste in a disaster situation requires the coordination of multiple entities at different levels of government, each acting under distinct authorities, all of which may vary with the type of incident (e.g., hurricane, animal disease outbreak). We present the results of social science research on decision-making about disaster debris removal. We discuss the social processes that underlie waste management decisions made at the federal, state, and local level before and after an incident. Sustainable options for waste disposal – such as recycling of electronics or metals, composting of vegetative debris or animal carcasses, and reuse of materials – are difficult to implement in disaster situations despite guidance and best intentions. Participants in this research outlined a number of obstacles they faced when making disposal choices. In our presentation, we describe the on-the-ground factors of disposal decision-making which include the influence of cost and reimbursement processes, non-disaster waste practices, and relationships. Finally, our presentation offers solutions grounded in social processes that can support more environmentally and socially sustainable disposal.