SAMEENA MANZUR
Stony Brook University, PhD Technology, Policy, and Innovation
Anne & Robert Reithmiller PTR Scholar 2025
Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Food and Organic Waste Generation in the United States
In the United States alone, billions of pounds of food and other organic materials such as wood and yard clipping end up in the trash every year. It is estimated that 77 billion pounds of edible food are discarded annually by grocery stores, restaurants, and other convenience markets and shops. Much of this waste goes straight to landfills, where it not only takes up limited space but also releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. This project focuses on understanding the role of socioeconomic factors (income level, family size, education and age), and policies (recycling or food waste policies) play in food waste volume. By analyzing NYS waste characterization studies conducted by the Waste Data and Analysis Center and waste studies across the US and comparing them with census data, this project aims to understand how these social and economic conditions affect the amount of food and organic waste different communities produce. For example, do areas that have larger educational attainment throw away less food than area with lower educational attainment? Do higher-income households waste more food because they can afford to buy in bulk? These are the kinds of questions this research seeks to answer. The goal is to provide cities, policymakers, and/or waste management organizations with the data they need to design smarter and more inclusive solutions. Instead of a one-size-fits-all policy or programs, communities can get more tailored waste reduction strategies that fits their unique needs such as composting programs, education campaigns, or better food recovery systems. By addressing food waste in a way that considers people’s different circumstances, this research helps reduce the burden on landfills, lowers harmful emissions, and makes waste management more equitable and sustainable for everyone.
Biography
Sameena Manzur is a PhD student in the Technology, Policy, and Innovation program at Stony Brook University, specializing in environmental waste management. She received her Bachelors and Master’s in Technology Systems Management at Stony Brook University. During her undergraduate and master’s studies Sameena interned at organizations and departments centers around research and environmental infrastructure/issues. After her Master’s she worked as a Research Supervisor at The Waste Data and Analysis Center in Stony Brook where she helped managed teams of samplers to conduct waste characterization studies all throughout New York State. This involvement sparked her interest in understanding solid waste management through a research lens which led her back to academia. Sameena is currently working under a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation grant that looks to analyze waste composition in New York, where she is focusing on which socioeconomic factors impact food and organics waste disposal.
