In Worcester parks, litter is a growing problem. We worked in collaboration with Jacquelyn Burmeister, Senior Environmental Analyst with the Worcester Department of Public Works (DPW) to develop a litter tracking system that would help assess the amount of litter in parks to determine if litter mitigation efforts are effective. To do this we conducted interviews, field research, and a pilot study of different litter tracking methods. After analyzing our data, we developed both a mobile survey and an accompanying ranking table and guidelines. DPW employees will be able to rate parks using 5 different categories, catalogue litter types, and assess the impact of trash and the clean up effort over time. Finally, we developed numerous recommendations to reduce the amount of litter in Worcester.

• 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

• Schoepke, Justin J.
• Sterrett, Thomas A.
• Frary, Kimberly A.
• Smith, Camren S.

Subject

• Environment
• Sustainability
• Well-Being

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 24071
• E-project-051221-142847

Keyword

• litter
• clean up
• trash
• tracking

Advisor

• Smith, Gillian Margaret
• Dehner, Corey

Year

• 2021

Center

• Worcester Community Project Center (Massachusetts) - IQP

Sponsor

• Jacquelyn Burmeister

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 3 - Good Health and Well-being
• 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
• 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
• 15 - Life On Land

Date created

• 2021-05-12

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-08-29