2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Addressing Food Waste on Boise State Campus

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Seth Ashley

Abstract

This project engaged in the issue of food waste at Boise State University with the use of environmental science and learned communication strategies, intending to educate and motivate students to practice sustainable behavior. We applied key communication theories, like the theory of planned behavior and framing theory, to develop a variety of informative materials and strategies to address potential knowledge gaps about food waste within the student population. Through close collaboration with BSU Dining’s administrative team, we designed and placed informational flyers in napkin holders throughout one of campus’ primary dining halls, Buster’s Kitchen. Additionally, we contributed content to BSU Dining’s sustainability webpage, raised awareness through a tabling event at Buster’s Kitchen, and launched an Instagram page. During our tabling event, we administered a survey that revealed existing knowledge gaps about food waste; notably, 90% of respondents reported increased understanding after engaging with our campaign. This project highlighted the importance of coproduction in developing effective communication strategies, as our partnership with BSU Dining was essential to our success. Overall, these outcomes demonstrate that collaborative projects can effectively raise awareness and encourage sustainable student behaviors, underscoring the value of coproduction in creating initiatives that resonate with students.

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