Environmental issues were at their peak in the 1960s'. The concern and willingness of the public to work for a better environment brought new federal laws and regulations to the United States. After more than twenty years, it seems that the public is losing interest in attaining a better environment.This case study deals with perception and recognition of environmental issues such as solid waste disposal in Delaware county, Indiana. Statements regarding knowledge and willingness to get involved in issues like solid waste disposal and environmental education were addressed. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Indiana has 7-8 years of landfill capacity remaining until its landfills are full. Delaware County has been without a municipal sanitary landfill since 1985. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Delaware County public opinion on solid waste management issues in order to ultimately include the public in the management process. Two hundred eighty-one Delaware County residents were surveyed by telephone to assess their knowledge and opinions on solid waste management issues. Two sets of conditions were hypothesized to influence attitudes: urban versus rural living environment, and educational level. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) between urban and rural attitudes towards waste management options. There was a difference between responses as a function of educational level; the more educated respondents were more aware of solid waste disposal issues. It was concluded that the public is aware of both national and local waste management issues, and are in favor of legislative control measures. / Department of Natural Resources

Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) was applied to evaluate the "Blue Bag" recycling program in Muncie, IN. Data was collected from the Muncie Sanitary District, a waste recovery facility and from a sample of Muncie residents. Results were analyzed descriptively and statistically and compared in terms of environmental performance to a landfilling option. Recycling resulted in greater greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and also in larger savings in energy consumption compared to landfilling (an equivalent of savings of $25,800.52 per year). A willingness to pay (WTP) parameter ranged from $0-175 in WTP in taxes/rent per year and a $0-52 range for WTP per trash container collected. The mean value of the welfare improvement corresponded with values obtained by other researchers (Hanley and Spash, 1993), totaling $960,797.65 for the WTP in taxes/rent scenario and $412,819.95 for the WTP per trash container collected scenario. The project's Net Present Values (NPV) were negative under the 3, 5 and 7`%, discount rates (-5209,961.75, -8242,477.73 and -S269,187.38 in the case of an optimistic scenario and -S675,244.83, -657.262.23 and -640,288.54 for the pessimistic scenario, respectfully) if environmental impacts were not taken into consideration. Environmental benefits associated with the Blue Bag program impacted results of the analysis - the project's NPVs were positive under the range of 3, 5 and 7% interest rates (510,569.501.26, 9,704,811.17 and 8,951,068.00 for the optimistic scenario and S 10, l 04,218.17, 9,290,026.68 and 8.579,966.84 in the case of pessimistic scenario, respectfully). It is concluded, that if the Blue Bag program is justified on CBA grounds, it can be considered as a profitable initiative from the social point of view; otherwise, the recycling program's costs outweigh its incomes and the existence and continuation of the Blue Bag program may he questioned. Further studies should be conducted in order to comprehensively test the overall social impacts of the program that could affect results presented in this study. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management