Date of Award
1-1-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Southern Studies
First Advisor
Andy Harper
Second Advisor
Vanessa Gregory
Third Advisor
Melanie Ho
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
This research examines waste production during home football games at the University of Mississippi through comprehensive documentation and analysis of tailgating activities and cleanup operations. Using ethnographic methodology, the study involved conducting interviews and filming tailgating events and subsequent waste management processes for home football games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. This documentation culminated in the creation of a short documentary film titled "WASTED." “WASTED” reveals substantial waste generation, with tailgating areas alone producing over 600 tons of trash during the 2023 football season Additional tonnage data from the 2024 season further demonstrates the consistency of this pattern of waste production.
The findings indicate that college football game weekends generate extraordinary amounts of waste within compressed timeframes, creating significant environmental challenges that extend far beyond the immediate campus community. In particular, these results suggest the need for heightened awareness of environmental sustainability in college athletics, particularly given that the University of Mississippi represents one of the smaller SEC institutions in a relatively small college town. This research addresses a critical gap in public awareness regarding the environmental footprint of collegiate sporting events. The documented waste levels reveal shocking quantities that demand immediate attention from university administrators, environmental advocates, and policymakers. The study emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive waste reduction strategies, particularly targeting food waste, which constitutes a significant portion of the total tonnage. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on sustainable practices in higher education and provide empirical data essential for developing effective waste management policies in collegiate athletic environments.
Recommended Citation
Kirkland, Logan Taylor, "Wasted" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3310.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3310