As part of an ongoing effort to understand waste management practices in Camp, the Environment Department, supported by FIDC, conducted a comprehensive survey. This included gathering feedback from attendees at the Farmers Week Expo and responses from a questionnaire circulated to residents of Camp. The survey ran from the 30th June to the 16th September 2024, and collected valuable input from 49 respondents. These findings shed light on the current state of waste management, the challenges faced, and the support needed to create a more sustainable approach for the community.
What’s in the bin?
The survey highlighted the main types of waste generated in Camp. The most common items include tins and cans, plastic packaging, glass, and food scraps. Encouragingly, a significant 87% of food scraps are either composted or repurposed as animal feed, demonstrating a proactive effort to manage organic waste sustainably. However, the situation is different for other waste types. A large proportion of tins, plastics, and glass waste are disposed of through burning or burying, which can have harmful environmental consequences.
Additionally, other waste types, such as hazardous materials, present unique challenges. Approximately 45% of respondents regularly need to dispose of chemicals like pesticides and vehicle oils, while 55% occasionally handle car battery disposal, and 27% deal with scrap metal waste. These materials often require specialized disposal methods, which are not readily accessible in Camp.
Key Challenges
The survey identified the lack of proper disposal options for hazardous and non-biodegradable waste as the primary challenge faced by Camp residents. Many rely on burning or burying waste, which, while practical in the short term, poses significant environmental and health risks. Although some residents take extra steps, such as bringing small batteries (39%), car batteries (35%), and e-waste (14%) to Stanley for disposal, these efforts are sporadic and depend on access to proper facilities.
The findings also highlight the potential for reuse in the community. While 41% of respondents reported reusing textile waste, and 24% repurpose scrap metal, reuse rates for items like vehicles (22%) and machinery parts (14%) remain lower than ideal. This suggests an opportunity to improve the culture of repurposing materials through education and resources.
Support & Solutions
The community’s perspectives on waste management responsibilities are diverse. A significant 43% of respondents feel that managing waste is a personal responsibility and believe they do not need additional support. However, 31% expressed interest in establishing a central recycling hub. Such a facility could streamline the sorting, processing, and disposal of various waste types and reduce the reliance on environmentally damaging practices like burning and burying.
These findings underscore the need for targeted initiatives to address hazardous waste disposal, encourage reuse and recycling, and improve overall waste management practices in Camp. By working together as a community and investing in infrastructure, we can move toward a more sustainable future for Camp and its surrounding environment.
Debbie Horton, Environmental Policy Officer, says:
“Thank you to everyone who participated in the Camp Waste survey. This joint initiative between the Environment Department and FIDC has provided valuable insights into current waste management practices, the challenges faced, and support preferences in improving waste management in Camp. Your feedback is essential in helping us understand how to develop effective waste management strategies in Camp for the future.”
