Partnering with Zero Waste Wolfpack, an Industrial and Systems Engineering Senior Design team designed a five-year sustainability plan focused on improved waste sorting, signage and compostable serviceware. A second student team, which conducted a subsequent phase of the project, recommended redesigned bin signage and created an automated staffing dashboard to maximize waste diversion during home games.

Project Overview

Team: Industrial and Systems Engineering Senior Design course, Waste Reduction and Recycling

Duration: Spring 2025 and Fall 2025

Status: Complete

Focus: Consumption and Production

Summary

Two senior design teams partnered with the Zero Waste Wolfpack initiative to enhance waste diversion at major athletic events. Through detailed data analysis and industry benchmarking, the team constructed a comprehensive five-year sustainability plan that prioritizes improved waste sorting systems, redesigned stadium signage, enhanced volunteer training programs and the adoption of compostable serviceware. 

In the second phase, a student design team recommended standardized, highly visible bin designs, labels and signage to guide fan behavior. To streamline behind-the-scenes management, the team also engineered an automated staffing dashboard to place gameday volunteers efficiently.

Findings

Implementing these operational and behavioral interventions provides a pathway to divert more gameday waste away from landfills. View the Team 1 Poster 

Clearer signage combined with automated, data-driven volunteer placement improves sorting accuracy and operational efficiency on game days. View Team 2 Poster