Calvin Lakhan

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Researcher at York University

This report offers actionable steps to implement and improve public space recycling programs, from securing funding and forming partnerships to leveraging technology and data for enhanced efficiency. Public space recycling is more than just a waste management solution; it is a visible symbol of a community's values and aspirations for a sustaina...

The circular economy (CE) promises a sustainable shift from the linear model of resource extraction and waste, yet its mainstream approaches often remain technocentric and Western-centric, overlooking the rich sustainability practices of Traditional Knowledge (TK). TK, cultivated over generations by Indigenous and local communities, offers holistic...

This report explores the concept of cognitive accessibility within sustainability communication, with a focus on making complex environmental information more understandable and engaging for diverse audiences. It identifies four key strategies: simplifying complex information, using relatable language, employing visual communication, and framing na...

This report, titled Consumer Habits and Behaviors Relating to Reusable Packaging, provides a comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes, challenges, and motivations surrounding the adoption of reusable packaging. Conducted by York University, the study includes data from a bi-national survey involving 950 participants from Canada and the United S...

This report, titled Consumer Habits and Behaviors Relating to Reusable Packaging, provides a comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes, challenges, and motivations surrounding the adoption of reusable packaging. Conducted by York University, the study includes data from a bi-national survey involving 950 participants from Canada and the United S...

The report titled Consumer Habits and Behaviors Relating to Sustainable Package Labeling explores the attitudes and behaviors of consumers in relation to sustainability claims on product packaging. Based on a survey of 1,370 respondents from Canada and the United States, the report provides insights into label reading habits, the influence of susta...

Illegal dumping, the unauthorized disposal of waste in public spaces, poses significant environmental, social, and economic challenges, particularly in Ontario, Canada. This study investigates the drivers behind illegal dumping, with a focus on rural and urban communities in Ontario. Using a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys and i...

Laminated films, extensively used in packaging applications, offer critical properties such as moisture resistance, durability, and mechanical strength, which make them ideal for protecting a wide range of consumer goods. Despite their utility, these materials present significant recycling challenges due to their complex multilayered structures, ty...

In a review of 12 ethnic groups in three urban communities in the Greater Toronto Area, this study found that there is significant behavioral heterogeneity with respect to why people recycle, motivators for recycling, and general attitudes towards the environment and stewardship. White Canadians reported having the most positive attitudes towards r...

This chapter explores strategies for overcoming psychological distance in sustainability communication, addressing the challenge of making abstract, global environmental issues feel immediate and personally relevant. Grounded in Construal Level Theory, the chapter examines six key approaches: localization of global issues, temporal framing, persona...

Executive Summary Framing theory has emerged as a crucial concept in sustainability communication, providing valuable insights into how environmental issues are presented, perceived, and acted upon. This report explores the theoretical background of framing within the context of sustainability, examining its origins, key concepts, and applications...

This report explores the application of framing theory to sustainability communication, examining how different framing approaches can influence public perception and engagement with environmental issues. Drawing on seminal works in framing theory and recent research in sustainability communication, the report analyzes four key framing dimensions:...

This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging waste, addressing common questions and claims about its environmental and economic impacts. Key topics covered include: Definition and intended goals of EPR Analysis of whether EPR leads to increased recycling rates Factors that actually driv...

This study conducts a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness, economic costs, and long-term sustainability of deposit return systems (DRS) for beverage containers across various countries. DRS are recognized as a critical strategy to enhance recycling rates, reduce environmental waste, and support the transition toward a circular...

This study investigates consumer attitudes, behaviors, and barriers related to reusable packaging adoption through a bi-national survey of 950 participants in Canada and the United States. The results reveal a growing demand for reusable packaging options, with 54% of respondents reporting active use of reusables in their households. However, signi...

This report explores the importance of engaging ethnic minority communities in sustainability initiatives through culturally sensitive communication strategies. It examines the unique challenges faced by these communities, including historical marginalization, cultural differences, language barriers, and economic constraints. The report emphasizes...

The report "Best Practices in Organics Diversion in Multi-Residential Buildings" provides a comprehensive review of strategies to improve organic waste diversion in high-density living environments such as apartment complexes and condominiums. The report identifies key challenges, including space constraints, resident education, and infrastructure...

This report titled "Consumer Attitudes Towards Packaging and Packaging Waste" explores the public's perceptions and concerns regarding packaging waste, focusing on household attitudes towards the environmental impacts of packaging and waste management practices. The study examines the motivators and barriers to effective end-of-life management of p...

The report titled "Best Practices in Addressing Illegal Dumping of Durable Waste" provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to illegal dumping, focusing on durable goods such as mattresses, furniture, and electronics. It highlights key barriers such as insufficient waste collection infrastructure, high disposal fees, and lack of...

This study quantifies seasonal variations of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal rates in a mid-sized Canadian city with respect to both meteorological and astronomical seasons using RNN – LSTM models with a single LSTM layer and 128 units. Meteorological seasons are related to the annual temperature cycle, whereas the astronomical seasons are bas...

This study used Azjen's Theory of Planned Behavior to examine how pro-recycling and pro-environmental messaging delivered by religious leaders affects stated recycling behavior among ethnic minorities. Using data collected from 12 religious institutions in three Ontario, Canada, communities, a promotion and education program was developed to: (1) i...

This study highlights the economic and environmental challenges of recycling in Ontario, specifically examining the effect of attempting to increase the emissions target for the province’s household recycling programme. The findings from the cost model analysis found that Ontario’s Blue Box programme reduces overall carbon emissions by approximatel...

This study examines the economic challenges of recycling in Ontario's rural and northern areas. Specifically, this study quantifies the economic and diversion impact of operating recycling programs in these regions. Using a systems based cost model, focus is placed on analyzing: (1) What would happen to provincial recycling costs and diversion leve...

This study examines how first-generation ethnic minorities respond to different types of recycling promotion and education campaigns (P&E) used by municipalities in Ontario, Canada. A total of eight focus group sessions were conducted over an eight-week period to gauge participant attitudes and responses towards print (newspaper and signs) and elec...

This study highlights the economic and environmental challenges of recycling in Ontario, specifically examining the effect of attempting to increase the emissions target for the province’s Waste Electronics (WEEE) program. The findings from the cost model analysis found that Ontario’s Electronic Stewardship program reduces overall carbon emissions...

The Garbage Gospel: Using the theory of planned behavior to explain the role of religious institutions in affecting pro environmental behavior among ethnic minorities

This study undertook a critical examination of the relationship between perception of environmental harm and consumer willingness to pay for environmental handling fees (EHF). This analysis was supplemented by asking study participants to indicate under what circumstances (and for what materials) they believe a visible fee is appropriate. This stud...

This study undertook a critical examination of Ontario’s extended producer responsibility scheme for the residential “Blue Box” recycling program, specifically examining the relationship between packaging fee rates and material-specific recycling rates. Using data collected for each of the 23 materials found in the residential recycling program ove...

Nearly all living artiodactyls (even-toed ungulates) possess a derived cranial arterial pattern that is highly distinctive from most other mammals. Foremost among a suite of atypical arterial configurations is the functional and anatomical replacement of the internal carotid artery with an extensive, subdural arterial meshwork called the carotid re...

Background. Mouse dental mesenchymal cells (mDMCs) from tooth germs of cap or later stages are frequently used in the context of developmental biology or whole-tooth regeneration due to their odontogenic potential. In vitro -expanded mDMCs serve as an alternative cell source considering the difficulty in obtaining primary mDMCs; however, cultured m...

Background. Type D personality was suggested as a marker of poorer prognosis for patients of cardiovascular disease. It is defined by having a score of 10 or more on both sub-scales of the DS14 questionnaire, Social Inhibition (SI) and Negative Affectivity (NA). As Type D was designed to predict risk, its temporal stability is of prime importance....

High Mobility Group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) is a nonhistone chromatin-binding protein which acts as a transcriptional regulating factor involved in gene transcription. In particular, overexpression of HMGA2 has been demonstrated to associate with neoplastic transformation and tumor progression in Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Thus, HMGA2 is a potential therap...

This study undertook an extensive overview of the state of recycling in Ontario, including detailed discussions on the types of material being generated and diverted and the economics of Blue Box recycling. Specifically, this study examined how Blue Box generation, recovery and costs have changed over time, and identified trends in the data to sugg...

This study examines the effects of municipal recycling incentivization on municipal recycling rates and program costs in Ontario, Canada. Ontario is currently one of only two jurisdictions in Canada to fund municipal waste diversion programs using an incentive-based system that allocates funding in proportion to a municipality's recycling rate perf...

This study examines the affects of municipal recycling incentivization on municipal recycling rates in Ontario, Canada. Ontario is currently one of only two jurisdictions in Canada to fund municipal waste diversion programs using an incentive based system that allocates funding in proportion to a municipalities recycling rate performance. Using pan...

Soils from different land use areas in Lahore City, Pakistan, were analyzed for concentrations of heavy metals-cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). One hundred one samples were randomly collected from six land use areas categorized as park, commercial, agricultural, residential, urban, and industrial. Each sample was analyzed in...

This study examines stakeholder perceptions of pay as you throw schemes (PAYT) in Ontario, Canada. Using a combination of panel and semi-structured survey data from provincial municipalities, focus is placed on analyzing: (a) the effects of PAYT systems on municipal recycling rates and program costs (b) stakeholder perceptions on the perceived effe...

This study examines differences in cost and recycling performance between single and multi-stream recycling systems in Ontario, Canada. Using panel data from 223 provincial municipalities spanning a ten year period, focus is placed on analyzing: (a) Are material management costs for municipalities who implement single stream collection less than th...

This study examines the effects of municipal promotion and education (P&E) investments on the recycling rates of recyclables found in Ontario's residential waste stream. Using panel data collected from 223 Ontario municipalities between 2003 and 2012, this study examines whether investments in recycling P&E lead to an increase in household recyclin...

The management of municipal solid waste is one of the primary challenges facing urbanized areas. This problem is particularly acute in developing economies, where burgeoning populations and under developed infrastructure has placed a considerable strain on local municipalities. In response to the lack of integrated waste management systems in devel...

The management of municipal solid waste is one of the primary challenges facing urbanized areas. This problem is particularly acute in developing economies, where burgeoning populations and under developed infrastructure has placed a considerable strain on local municipalities. In response to the lack of integrated waste management systems in devel...