Municipal solid waste management is an integral part of a city’s infrastructure. However, as the amount of solid waste increases, finding sustainable solutions to address this growth is crucial. For the City of Peoria, textile recovery and recycling have the potential to benefit the city’s Solid Waste Division and its residents.
Students in the ERM 432/532 Sustainable Solid Waste Management course assisted in providing key recommendations for the development of a recycling program to divert expanded polystyrene (EPS) and textiles from landfills, both of which are notoriously difficult to recycle.
Students split into two teams, each focusing on a material type that is technically recyclable, but that is infrequently diverted from landfills: clothing textiles and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), more commonly known as Styrofoam. Each team started by researching and describing the process of collecting, donating, sorting, and reselling of their material. The student research summarizes their efforts, focusing on answering the six questions posed by the City of Peoria. Based on their research, the student teams provide key recommendations for the City of Peoria, focusing on building relationships with businesses and other cities and identifying financial assistance. The research and recommendations presented in this report aim to support Peoria’s proactive approach to landfill diversion, which demonstrates the City’s commitment to sustainability and the Superior Public Services livability initiative.