UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1121

Overall Research Project Description Waste recycling is widely recognized as a critical component of sustainable resource management and environmental conservation. However, despite increased awareness, recycling participation and effectiveness in the United States remain inconsistent and often insufficient compared to other developed nations. The absence of a standardized national recycling system, coupled with variations in municipal programs, has created confusion and discouraged active engagement. In addition, factors such as convenience, low economic incentives, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural perceptions further limit the impact of recycling initiatives.
Countries such as Germany, Norway, Italy, and Spain have demonstrated higher participation rates through consistent policies, deposit-return systems, and stronger public engagement strategies. In contrast, many Americans view recycling as an optional individual choice rather than a shared societal responsibility. Moreover, environmental messaging has not consistently connected recycling to tangible personal or community benefits, resulting in a weak link between awareness and action.
To address these challenges, this study proposes a holistic approach that combines technological innovation, policy development, and behavioral change strategies—while placing special emphasis on linking recycling efforts with local upcycling businesses. Such partnerships can extend the life of recovered materials, create local economic opportunities, and make sustainability efforts more visible and meaningful to communities. By integrating repair and reuse programs before recycling, and ensuring recovered materials are channeled into creative, value-added applications, the study aims to transform recycling from a passive activity into an active, community-driven circular economy system.

Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to identify, design, and evaluate the most effective and sustainable strategies for integrating waste recycling into everyday life. The research will combine technological innovation, policy frameworks, and behavioral change approaches to create a recycling system that is efficient, accessible, and widely adopted. A core focus will be establishing partnerships between recycling programs and local upcycling businesses, enabling recovered materials to be transformed into new, value-added products within the community. By channeling recyclable materials into local creative and manufacturing enterprises, the study seeks to generate economic opportunities, reduce waste transportation emissions, and strengthen community engagement with sustainability. In addition, the framework will incorporate material-specific solutions, improved infrastructure models, and public awareness campaigns, with an emphasis on repair and reuse before recycling.

Research Questions
RQ1. What combination of technological tools, local policies, and behavioral strategies most effectively increases public participation in recycling programs that supply materials to local upcycling businesses?
RQ2. How can recycling and collection infrastructure be designed to ensure high-quality material recovery that meets the needs of local upcycling enterprises while remaining convenient and accessible to the public?
RQ3. What role do public awareness, education, and community engagement play in connecting household recycling habits with the success of local upcycling businesses?
RQ4. Which waste materials present the greatest challenges for both recycling and upcycling, and what innovative local solutions can address these barriers to create value-added products?
RQ5. How can recycling–upcycling partnerships be integrated into a broader circular economy framework to promote long-term environmental sustainability, local economic growth, and community resilience?

Expected Contribution
This research will provide both theoretical and practical contributions to waste management studies. It will identify effective integration points between technological systems, policy interventions, and behavioral strategies, while also applying Nudge Theory to drive measurable increases in recycling participation. The findings are expected to produce a scalable framework that can be adapted by municipalities, policy-makers, and environmental organizations to improve recycling systems nationwide. By focusing on tangible benefits, accessibility, and community engagement, the study will promote a cultural shift toward resource recovery and circular economy practices.