Assessing the Relative Sustainability of Grab ‘N Go Container Systems at UMass Amherst

Presenter

Jack Michael Minella

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Mari Castañeda, Commonwealth Honors College, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A45, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 3 (A41-A60) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

The University of Massachusetts Amherst uses nearly 3000 disposable containers per day across its several Grab ‘N Go Dining locations. These containers were historically disposable plastic clamshells until UMass Dining recently made the switch to compostable to-go boxes—although due to the University’s waste stream logistics, these containers cannot be composted. The campus Sustainability Report commissioned by the University in 2023 advises establishing a campus-wide reusable to-go container program in order for the University to work toward achieving a Platinum ranking in AASHE STARS, a higher education sustainability assessment system. However, there is little present knowledge of the impact that the switch from plastic to compostables is making on the sustainability of Grab ‘N Go Dining, and there is similarly little knowledge of how a reusable container system would impact the University’s overall sustainability goals. Prior research has concluded that implementing reusable container programs has been effective at other institutions, and that there is student interest in implementation at UMass, but there is not yet scholarly research on the impact that implementation would have here. This study investigates the relative sustainability of different Grab ‘N Go container options by conducting a life cycle analysis of the three aforementioned systems. Emphasis is placed on the emissions footprint of manufacture, transportation, use, and disposal of each type of container. Additionally, this research aims to inform how to implement a reusable container program at UMass with a focus on achieving the University’s carbon zero and plastic reduction goals.

Keywords

sustainability, plastic reduction, waste reduction, higher education, to-go containers

Research Area

Environmental Science and Sustainability

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