In partnership with the Home Toxics Center in Washtenaw County, this Graham Sustainability Scholars team worked to identify and analyze potential barriers that may affect participation rates in the Center’s Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Program. The team conducted surveys among Washtenaw County residents via text banking. Their findings suggest that awareness is a primary barrier among respondents, and the Home Toxics Center can increase program participation through physical advertisements, social media platforms, and reducing the distance required by individuals to drop off their waste. The team recommended making waste dropoff locations as accessible as possible and hosting collection drives at non-Home Toxics Center sites, such as nearby churches and schools.

Team: Sophie Busch, Jordon Horton, Kendra Kleber, Jordan Manley, Marlana Peek

Partner: Washtenaw County Home Toxics Center