An integrated environmental model to characterize, quantify, and evaluate solid waste generation

This research examines the waste generation performance of individual U.S. companies and government agencies. The purpose of this research is to better understand the solid waste generation rates of these entities. A review of the literature shows that predicting and evaluating solid waste generation is relevant and important to environmental regulators and businesses. In addition, most studies lack empirical support and rigorous statistical support, specifically related to waste generation performance.; To achieve the objective of this study, an integrated environmental model was developed to predict and evaluate solid waste generation rates. A questionnaire survey was sent to 1,500 businesses and government agencies in the United States to gather data to answer research questions to build the environmental model. The results of the survey yielded 438 responses.; U.S. business and government agencies were consolidated into 20 waste groups using multivariable cluster analysis. Significant variables that influence solid waste generation rates were identified for the 20 waste groups using stepwise regression analysis. Waste generation rates of individual companies in these waste groups were predicted and evaluated using performance parameters developed for this research. The model was validated using external data collected from other studies and two case studies were conducted.; The findings of this dissertation offer companies and regulators an effective means to improve environmental performance and allow them to predict and evaluate waste generation rates. Using the results of the research, companies can learn more about their strengths and weaknesses in their sold waste management and assess their generation performance versus industry specific benchmarks.