Excessive plastic use across the globe is an alarming issue due to its contributions to environmental and public health risks. The YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado is seeking to reduce its plastic waste as part of its sustainability plan. Our project’s goal was to audit plastic use at the YMCA and suggest material substitutions and alternative operations to reduce plastic waste. We investigated this by interviewing employees, surveying guests, and observing department operations. Major areas of plastic waste were single-use plastic items and packaging in the Food Service, Housekeeping, and Building & Grounds Departments. We recommend that the YMCA expand guest recycling education, promote internal communication, replace plastic products with other materials, and reuse items when possible.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Senger, Marilyn
• Frieden, Hannah
• Liscouski, Nathan
• Frechette, Colby

Subject

• Sustainability
• Environment
• Industry

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 66991
• E-project-050222-122629

Keyword

• audit
• sustainability
• plastic waste
• YMCA of the Rockies
• single-use plastic
• recycling

Advisor

• Giapoudzi, Despoina
• Hersh, Robert

Year

• 2022

Center

• Thessaloniki, Greece Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• YMCA of the Rockies

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Date created

• 2022-05-02

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright