This paper dives into the practices and impact of food waste at the Disney Parks and Resorts, with supporting information from regulations in a normal setting restaurant in the hospitality industry and Universal Parks and Resorts. Through an exploration of food waste data and sustainability initiatives, the paper highlights the economic, environmental, and social implications of food waste. It also discusses the importance of education and awareness in addressing this pressing issue. Using a mix of methods combining quantitative analysis and qualitative examination, we aim to uncover differences in how food waste is handled and what it means for the business, Casts, and Guests. Our findings show that there are big gaps between what is happening and what should be happening, pointing to the need for more education on sustainability. Why does this matter? Understanding how theme parks deal with food waste can give us an insight on how to improve food waste management in the hospitality industry around the world. By tackling this problem head-on and providing proper education, we can create a world where we waste less and utilize our resources efficiently.

The need for affordable housing includes not only low-income but also middle-income populations and cuts across ethnic groups and socioeconomic classes. This research is about the state of the housing market in New York State and focuses on affordability issues confronting middle-income families. Taking a long-term view from 2000 to 2021, this study analyzes housing affordability trend and its driving factors. Adopting summary statistics as methods of analysis, the study considers the extent of housing cost burdens faced by middle-income earners when compared to their income levels. The findings reveal significant challenges, with many families spending over 300% of their income on housing costs. The mean housing cost-to-income ratio for the study period was approximately 380%, suggesting a consistent burden on middle-income families statewide. This is a sustainability issue because housing unaffordability pushes people to move from climate stable areas to climate unstable areas. The fact that individuals and families are willing to risk moving to a climate unstable area because of housing cost should be a motivation for government incentives and interventions through evidence-based policies.

Waste diversion at higher education institutions in the U.S. remains a growing issue. Recyclable materials that enter landfills have negative environmental impacts as well as expensive landfill service costs for universities. The University of Arizona partnered with a zero waste consulting firm to identify gaps in the current waste management operations by engaging with department head stakeholders, but did not include any form of student engagement. This research targeted the student body to identify ways to improve recycling and zero waste efforts on and around the University of Arizona campus. The research included surveying students about recycling and observations of recycling sites selected by the students. Recommendations were made following the observations and included increasing the amount of recycling bins, ensuring that recycling bins are adjacent to trash cans, standardizing the appearance of recycling bins with the help of labeling, color, and informative graphics, and finally increasing educational opportunities about recycling and zero waste efforts for students at the University of Arizona. Further research should include conducting more student surveys and engaging with the University of Arizona’s Office of Sustainability coordinators in charge of the zero waste campus program in order to identify further gaps and improvements in waste management operations.

This research paper investigates the impact of wildfires on transmission infrastructure and proposes sustainable mitigation strategies to enhance the resilience of the electric grid in Pima County, Arizona. The study addresses the increasing vulnerability of transmission systems to wildfire risk and aims to identify specific areas at high risk within Pima County. Through geospatial mapping and risk assessment techniques, the study analyzes key variables including slope, elevation, aspect, and land use to understand their influence on wildfire behavior and transmission infrastructure susceptibility. Furthermore, the research explores sustainable alternatives to reduce reliance on the grid and increase resilience, including the adoption of distributed energy resources and demand-side management techniques. The study aims to provide valuable insights into mitigating wildfire-induced power outages and enhancing sustainability of energy systems in wildfire-prone regions.

Despite the growing prevalence of green building (GB) practices in larger urban centers, as highlighted by existing research, smaller municipalities face significant challenges in adopting these practices due to economic, social, and regulatory barriers. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study integrates a systematic literature review (SLR) with a 33-participant survey and nine follow-up interviews to gather qualitative and quantitative insights into the barriers and motivators affecting GB adoption in smaller municipalities. The findings identify that the main barriers are actual and perceived high costs, limited public awareness of certification programs, and inadequate municipal support. Key motivators for adopting GB practices were financial incentives and targeted public education to promote increased GB adoption. This study highlights the importance of adapting policy and community engagement approaches to bridge the knowledge gap, align stakeholder interests with sustainable objectives, and foster enhanced community sustainability, seeking to motivate a more widespread integration and acceptance of green building practices at the municipal level.

Unlocking the transformative potential of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from agricultural waste holds the key to addressing environmental challenges while revolutionizing sustainability in farming. Agriculture plays a pivotal role in global food production but is also a significant contributor to environmental pollution through greenhouse gas emissions and improper waste management. Livestock farming generates substantial amounts of organic waste, including manure, which releases methane—a potent greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere. The overarching efforts of previous research on this issue derive from environmental agencies outside of the agricultural and RNG spaces, which created a binary approach and were thus unable to assess the full scope of the issues and potential solutions available. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production from agricultural waste provides a favorable solution to alleviate these environmental challenges by repurposing organic waste into a renewable energy source. There are significant benefits to the use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production sourced from agricultural waste, with a focus on livestock manure, as a solution to environmental challenges in agriculture. This research examines the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, the utilization of digestate with a focus on a circular economy, potential risks associated with feedstock supply, and the influence of scalability frameworks on RNG implementation. The findings demonstrate the substantial environmental benefits and highlight areas requiring further research and policy development to overcome the limitations and realize the full potential of RNG in agriculture.

This case study comparative analysis explores the impact of energy efficiency upgrades on three buildings on a college campus in Arkansas. The study focuses on building design, use, and age as factors influencing the effectiveness of the upgrades. The buildings, referred to as Building A, Building B, and Building C due to owner restrictions, underwent efficiency upgrades including lighting and HVAC improvements. Utility bills for chilled water, electricity, steam, and water were collected twelve months before and after the upgrades. The results show a decrease in electricity and chilled water usage in all three buildings, indicating the effectiveness of the upgrades. Building benchmarking using the Arc tool allows engineering students at the college to track utility usage and learn how real-time conditions affect energy consumption. The study highlights the importance of consistent monitoring and analysis to optimize energy efficiency in buildings.

California is facing a critical time in its history as the effects of climate change are manifesting themselves by way of yearly record-breaking wildfires all over the state. This crisis is quickly becoming the kind that demands urgent attention. Continuing to employ a plan of action based on the status quo and the historical way of doing things will no longer suffice. Further urban sprawl into now-fire-prone areas aggravates this issue and with residents receiving very little guidance and support from their local governments in this modern fight, it could be a recipe for disaster. The life-threatening implications of this situation are undeniable, making swift action imperative. This study uses a phenomenology-based research approach to examine the lived experiences of residents whose lives have been affected by wildfires with the goal of understanding those affects and uncovering what type of support is most needed. It integrates diverse data collection methods, both internally and externally from the University of Arizona library, a tailored survey, and detailed interviews. Several insights into the rapidly evolving nature of this issue as well as specific needs required by the affected communities were discovered.

This research offers a thorough plan for incorporating environmentally friendly architectural systems in Downtown San Francisco to improve the area's resistance to earthquakes and encourage environmental sustainability. The analysis highlights the urgent necessity of upgrading the urban core with buildings that meet LEED certification requirements and make use of green building principles against the high-stakes backdrop of seismic susceptibility. The study describes a number of sustainable interventions by analyzing the potential of Downtown San Francisco, a region distinguished by its dense population, economic significance, and historical landmarks. These consist of using recycled materials, installing water-saving fixtures, and implementing energy-efficient technology. The innovative vision for San Francisco or Frisco Futura capitalizes on three methods. First, a comparative analysis of 6 cities that had experienced catastrophic earthquakes, three in the global South and three in the global north. Then a site analysis that addresses San Francisco unique position as a hub for technical talent and financial resources. Lastly, a critical analysis of the creative examples provided by worldwide sustainability projects like the Telosa (Located at Nevada, USA) and Songdo IBD (Located at Songdo, South Korea) masterplans. The research highlights the synergy between private investment and municipal support as a catalyst for change, emphasizing the critical role of public-private partnerships in achieving this aim. -Result lead is to create a resilient urban environment that serves the long-term needs of sustainable living as well as the short-term requirements of earthquake preparedness, putting Downtown San Francisco at the forefront of urban innovation and resilience.

Amidst the burgeoning demand for sustainable urban design, the project in San Juan de Lurigancho emerges as a paragon, integrating climate-appropriate landscaping, local culture, and environmental stewardship. This study explores the potential of playgrounds to transcend traditional play areas, evolving into sustainable, nature-infused spaces that foster community engagement and cater to the needs of both children and their caregivers. Employing a methodological triangulation of academic research, community surveys, and on-site analysis, the study garners a holistic view of the community's aspirations. Survey results reveal a strong preference for sustainable materials and a significant desire to reconnect with nature, emphasizing the community's inclination towards environmentally conscious spaces that promote interaction with the local ecosystem. The envisioned prototype not only addresses the socio-environmental imperatives of urban design but also acts as a scalable model for global urban centers, reflecting a shift towards multifunctional recreational spaces. Future steps include broader community engagement for co-design processes, material exploration to ensure durability in San Juan de Lurigancho's climate, and the incorporation of culturally resonant design elements. This comprehensive approach promises to deliver playgrounds that are not only functional but also emblematic of the community's spirit, with a focus on safety and sustainable upkeep.