Sustainability at The University of AkronDesign Teams

Image12.jpegZips Precious Plastics (ZPP):

ZPP is our flagship design team, which focuses on collecting and recycling all types of plastic, but primarily HDPE (2) and Polypropylene (5). We have designed various molds to make things out of recycled plastic, such as our Z-chains, ESW gears, and Akron Roo heads for our beloved mascot, Zippy. Also, we have taken the first steps towards a collaboration with external companies and other on-campus organizations!

Image15.jpegEcobrick:

This project team aims to reutilize non-recyclable materials such as Styrofoam and plastic bags to build sustainable items.  Other groups have shown the potential to build small-scale shelters with Ecobricks, while we are focusing on smaller scale applications for college campuses. The density of an Ecobrick must be between 0.33 g/ml and 0.7 g/ml.

Image16.JPEGEducation Team: (ET)

Education Team works to inform students on all aspects of sustainability. We’ve hosted various presentations and events focusing on sustainable living, clean energy, invasive species, and more. Additionally, we have facilitated DIY events using recycled materials such as paper, wax, and glass. We’re always looking into new things to teach college and K-12 students!