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Articles 1 - 10 of 10
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
“Trash Talk” - Rethinking The Notion Of Waste, Shivaangi Salhotra
“Trash Talk” - Rethinking The Notion Of Waste, Shivaangi Salhotra
Student Showcase
In the twenty-first century, waste has become a ubiquitous problem. Images of things like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch have ceased to become jarring, and pictures of overflowing landfills and statistics about plastic in the ocean have become so commonplace that they are “memed”. Yet despite increasing awareness and changes in policy, global waste production and its deleterious effects continue to rise. Dominant narratives surrounding waste tend to focus on how individuals can properly dispose of their waste, which, while certainly important, is not the full story. It doesn't question why we produce so much waste in the first place, …
New2u Impact Report: Fostering Sustainability And Student Engagement At Umass, Sarah Welch
New2u Impact Report: Fostering Sustainability And Student Engagement At Umass, Sarah Welch
Student Showcase
This report presents a cost-benefit analysis of the New2U reuse and waste reduction program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass). Rooted in the university's strategic goals, New2U addresses the environmental impact of landfill waste generated during student move-outs. The program, initiated in 2014, has diverted 80,000 pounds of waste, saving 127 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by redistributing items through a tag sale during move-in.
Math 456 Student Project Reports For Valleybike Operations Optimization, Ezra Small
Math 456 Student Project Reports For Valleybike Operations Optimization, Ezra Small
Student Showcase
In the fall semester of 2019 UMass Amherst students in Professor Annie Raymond's MATH 456 course used ValleyBike share route data and applied mathematic algorithms to develop recommendations to the system operators and participating communities on how to optimize bike balancing operations, maintenance, station dock allocation, station locations, incentive programs, etc.
The Perfect Storm: Lasting Impacts Of Structural Adjustment Programs And Pressures Of Climate Change In Latin America And Ghana, Africa, Sam Kefferstan
The Perfect Storm: Lasting Impacts Of Structural Adjustment Programs And Pressures Of Climate Change In Latin America And Ghana, Africa, Sam Kefferstan
Student Showcase
This work examines the intersectionality of economic, social and environmental impacts of the International Monetary Fund’s and World Bank’s application of structural adjustment programs (SAPs) within Latin America and Ghana, Africa. Varying economic and social indicators illustrate the underperformance of SAPs in their intended mission to reduce poverty and debt in developing nations. This research argues Gross Domestic Product is an imperfect measure of improving quality of life and points towards other indicators such as increasing national debt, rising incidences of poverty, and exacerbated regional disparities to demonstrate the shortcomings of SAPs. This piece also investigates the limitations adjustment imposes …
Umass Amherst Guide To Zero-Waste Events, Kevin J. Hollerbach, Ainsley Brosnan-Smith
Umass Amherst Guide To Zero-Waste Events, Kevin J. Hollerbach, Ainsley Brosnan-Smith
Student Showcase
As the University of Massachusetts Amherst continues to grow, and as programming for the campus community becomes an ever-rising priority, events organizers will need to consider the waste implications of every event to comply with state and University standards, goals, and policies. This "Guide to Zero-Waste Events" aims to streamline the planning process as well as provide tips and examples for follow-through to implementing a successful zero-waste event. The guide also presents actionable policy recommendations for the University to reduce waste and increase diversion from large-scale outdoor events on the UMass Amherst campus.
What Will It Take To Make Solar Panels Cool?, Luke Fateiger, Cameron A. Lane, M. Donald Rollings, Cameron J. Smith-Freedman
What Will It Take To Make Solar Panels Cool?, Luke Fateiger, Cameron A. Lane, M. Donald Rollings, Cameron J. Smith-Freedman
Student Showcase
With the predicted results of climate change looming, humanity must do all it can to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Maintaining a habitable environment along with the high quality of living associated with developed nations requires investment in renewable energy. Because national governments often fail to make responsible decisions for their country's future, this burden falls to institutions like UMass Amherst. Although costly investments like solar panels substantially improve the sustainability of campus, some innovative improvements of existing solar energy infrastructure can go a long way. For example, when solar panels heat up they lose photovoltaic efficiency. We propose that UMass …
Proposal For Implementation Of An E-Receipt System And Non-Toxic Compostable Receipt Paper At Umass Dining Facilities, Patricia Murphy, Randa Kallin, Kyle Grasso, Taryn Ramey
Proposal For Implementation Of An E-Receipt System And Non-Toxic Compostable Receipt Paper At Umass Dining Facilities, Patricia Murphy, Randa Kallin, Kyle Grasso, Taryn Ramey
Student Showcase
For our junior year writing course, we were given the assignment to write a proposal to fix something on campus. As students passionate about sustainability, our group elected to improve an aspect of campus we thought could boost our universities impressive green reputation. We all realized receipt printing is a large and wasteful process at UMassAmherst while both large-scale stores such as Home Depot and smaller venues in downtown Amherst were able to implement an e-receipt system which saves money and resources. Although this proposal started as a class project, our group found through our research that this idea had …
Monitoring Waste To Minimize Waste At The University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Dylan J. Masi, Timothy C. Shea, Jacob M. Downs, Amy W. Chou
Monitoring Waste To Minimize Waste At The University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Dylan J. Masi, Timothy C. Shea, Jacob M. Downs, Amy W. Chou
Student Showcase
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to sustainability, however, the campus could further reduce its costs and save energy by optimizing the current method of waste removal. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that by the end of the century, Earth’s average temperature will rise by 11 degrees Fahrenheit unless society takes action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPA, about one-third of carbon emissions in the U.S. come from transportation. Campus garbage bins are collected by carbon-emitting trucks daily, and large truckable waste compactors are collected about three times per week. The amount of harmful …
North D Compost Pilot Semester Report, Kevin J. Hollerbach, Jordan Chan
North D Compost Pilot Semester Report, Kevin J. Hollerbach, Jordan Chan
Student Showcase
Following the completion of a 14-week-long residential compost pilot program in North Apartment D at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, this review summarizes the proposition, implementation, and operation of the project. The success of this pilot provides the framework for the expansion of residential composting at UMass Amherst, resulting in higher trash diversion rates from residence halls, and encouraging students to reduce their environmental footprint both on and off campus. The demonstrated success for this pilot program and upcoming expanded pilot provides further justification for expansion across residential life, other University departments, or other institutions to participate in waste-reduction initiatives. …
Epa Gameday Recycling Challenge Final Report, Jordan Chan
Epa Gameday Recycling Challenge Final Report, Jordan Chan
Student Showcase
This report highlights the EPA Game Day Challenge, a national collegiate competition where colleges and universities compete to reduce waste through recycling and composting at football games and tailgates. It provides a brief background regarding the other colleges and universities that have participated nationally. This report aims to discuss the need for implementing the challenge. In addition, this report examines the planning, people, obstacles, and results of participating in the EPA Game Day Challenge at UMass Amherst on Wednesday, November 12, 2014. In addition, the report considers the implementation of the EPA Game Day Challenge for future years at the …