Packaged and Ready for Game Time: A study of Allegheny Athletics Relationship with Plastic

Homiak, Konrad

Packaged and Ready for Game Time: A study of Allegheny Athletics Relationship with Plastic

Author(s)

Homiak, Konrad

Date Issued

April 13, 2025

Abstract

Plastic waste has proliferated the entirety of the Earth’s environment. Microplastics can be found interwoven from the peaks of mountains, to the depths of the oceans, with unknown ramifications for the health of the planet and its life forms. This issue implicates all types of organizations large and small. Allegheny College is an institution that prides itself on sustainability and environmentalism, however the Athletic Department has had minimal interaction with the school’s Sustainability Department. This project set out to be an investigation of the Allegheny College Athletic Department’s consumption of plastic, through the analysis of its purchasing records. That task proved to have several roadblocks that could not be overcome during the duration of this project. In response to these roadblocks, I reviewed three plastic products that came up in my investigation: polyester clothing, bottles, and packaging. The review examines literature detailing the environmental impact of these products across the world. My review also examined social and economic factors that have resulted in plastic waste proliferating the environment. From this investigation and review, I posit three recommendations for the college. The first is to create a more robust system of accounting for purchases, which includes written descriptions of items and the packaging containing said item. The second is to replace disposable bottles for reusable bottles on buses to competitions. The third is to reduce the amount of clothing that is purchased for individual athletes. These recommendations will help Allegheny College better understand Athletic’s plastic waste generation and reduce the amount of plastic waste generated.

Major

Environmental Science and Sustainability

Honors

Environmental Science and Sustainability, 2025

First Reader(s)

Bensel, Terrence G.