The University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) is setting a high bar for lab sustainability with a robust recycling program that’s largely managed in-house! ?? With their robust recycling infrastructure, they are able to recycle: ?? Gloves ?? #5 Plastic Pipette Tip Boxes ?? #4, #1, and #2 Plastics ?? Polystyrene, Aluminum Foil, Unbroken Glass, and Ice Packs What sets UAB apart is their meticulous process: After collecting materials, everything is sent to their in-house facility, where interns maintain quality control by carefully sorting plastics and other recyclables by hand to ensure no contamination. Thanks to their dedication, UAB consistently achieves a close to 0% contamination rate—a remarkable accomplishment! ?? These interns are true champions of sustainability, ensuring that every step of the recycling process is handled with precision and care. Their sustainability efforts don’t stop there! UAB also offers a free lab glass and supplies program, redistributing usable lab glassware and supplies from labs that have moved or no longer need them. This reduces waste and costs while promoting reuse in research settings. This program is a fantastic example of how institutions can support sustainability through resource sharing. ?? UAB’s commitment to sustainable practices is an inspiring model for institutions everywhere. ?? Research Recycling would love to hear how your institution is making strides or where you need support to drive greener lab practices. Leave a comment below if you’d like to share your story. Let’s work together towards a future of zero waste and contamination! #Sustainability #GreenLabs #LabRecycling #CircularEconomy #WasteReduction #RecyclingInnovation #EnvironmentalImpact #ZeroWaste
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?? Last Friday at Design and Technology Teachers' Association Victoria (DATTAVic), I had an incredible hands-on experience learning about recycling and repurposing plastic caps—turning potential landfill waste into something valuable and sustainable. A big thank you to Bill Verhagen for the engaging session, showcasing the practical steps of recycling: from collecting and sorting plastic caps to shredding them into smaller pieces for melting and extrusion. ?? Here is a 5-minute video (featuring Bill Verhagen and Mukesh Soni, PhD) of the process, which is not only fascinating but also demonstrates how sustainability lessons can be made classroom-friendly: The machines used were perfectly safe for supervised classroom settings, featuring covered shredders, over-temperature protection, and gloves for safety. This hands-on activity is a powerful way to teach kids the importance of sustainable living, environmental responsibility, and the science behind recycling. ?? Key Takeaway: Activities like these inspire students to think critically about reducing pollution and making sustainable choices for our planet’s future. They turn abstract environmental concepts into tangible, memorable lessons. Thank you again, Bill for leading the charge in sustainability education! #Sustainability #Recycling #Repurposing #STEMeducation #EnvironmentalAwareness #SustainableLiving #PollutionReduction #pakronics Veena Nair Pakronics #TechnologyForTomorrow
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?? DigiCycling – The Future of Process Optimization in Plastics Recycling ?? ? The University of Bayreuth's Polymer Engineering Department is excited to share our ongoing project “DigiCycling”, a DFG-funded project that utilizes machine learning to optimize recycling processes. ? As plastic waste continues to rise globally, recycling processes need to be improved. ?? Our research focuses on enhancing polymer recycling using machine learning techniques. ?? DigiCycling employs digital methods to investigate the reactive extrusion process for recycled materials. ? Our goal is to achieve optimal recycled material properties, paving the way for a more consistent and sustainable polymer recycling approach. This initiative aims to boost economic efficiency and significantly contribute to environmental conservation. ???? ? #PolyesterRecycling #ReactiveExtrusion #MachineLearning #SustainableMaterials #Digitylization #PolymerEngineering Universit?t Bayreuth
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Check out this awesome article highlighting the collaboration between the Society of Plastics Engineers and Girls Scouts, introducing girls to opportunities in plastics engineering through STEM patches related to polymer science, packaging, and sustainability! What are your thoughts?
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?? Student Spotlight: Bethany Guin from Clemson University ???Home Institution:?Clemson University ???Background Info:?Bethany is a rising senior in Chemistry with a minor in Microbiology. She has been dedicated to working on chemical recycling, bringing innovative solutions to the forefront of environmental science. ???Research Scope:?Bethany's research focuses on combining chemically recycled PET with biobased monomers to create thermoplastic matrices with lower carbon intensity and environmental footprint. This work is a significant step towards sustainable material science. ???Cross-Disciplinary Work:?Thrust III (PI: James Sternberg) + Thrust I (PI: Michael Carbajales-Dale ) Relevance to AIM EFRC:?By combining chemically recycled PET with biobased monomers, Bethany's work aims to create thermoplastic matrices with lower carbon intensity and a reduced environmental footprint. This innovative approach not only enhances the sustainability of composite materials but also aligns with the AIM EFRC’s goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly materials. The E3 Framework: Economy, Energy, and Environment:?This research greatly supports the E3 framework by: Economy:?Valorizing waste plastic and providing incentive to drive recycling rates Energy:?Potentially lowering the energy required for new material synthesis through recycling processes. Environment:?Promoting a circular lifecycle for biobased polymers, minimizing plastic waste, and reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. ???Supported by AIM for Composites EFRC (funded by U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, under grant #DE-SC0023389). U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), University of Delaware, Clemson University, Clemson University College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, Clemson Automotive Engineering, The Ohio State University, Brown University, University of Florida, South Carolina State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Savannah River National Laboratory #TeamThursday?#MaterialScience?#Innovation?#GreenChemistry?#PET?#recycling?#sustainability?#Innovation?#ResearchImpact?#AIInnovation?#Research?#Engineering?#UDel?#BlueHensForever?#Hengineers?#ClemsonUniversity
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Perfect Timing 14th of October – International E-Waste Day. What could be a better day to start a project with students to investigate electronic and electric devices and how they will be recycled? Five motivated students, supervised by Professor Rutz, from the Hochschule Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, investigate the design of small electric appliances and their influence on their specific end of life recycling process. Not only do they structure a possible optimal recycling process for the product, but they also consider the optimal product design for a given recycling process. Therefor trying to find the practical sweet spot between both Stakeholder groups and harmonize their interest to benefit an implementable approach towards a circular economy. The project idea was developed alongside different REWIMET e.V. activities within the circular region and again represents synergies between members with a small benefit for a broader audience. #CircularEconomy #DfACE #Education #Sustainability #Network
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To what extent does scientific innovation depend on the ethical considerations of its application? In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Delaware and Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a method to convert waste Styrofoam into a high-value conducting polymer known as PEDOT. This innovative process, published in JACS Au, demonstrates that upgraded plastic waste can be successfully integrated into functional electronic devices, including hybrid solar cells and organic electrochemical transistors.This pioneering work by the team, led by Assistant Professor Laure Kayser, not only addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste but also opens new avenues for sustainable materials in electronics. By sulfonating polystyrene, the researchers developed an eco-friendly approach to create high-quality electronic polymers from what would otherwise be environmental pollutants. At Verde Valley School, we are committed to fostering a deep connection between education and real-world applications. This research aligns with our mission to inspire students to think critically about sustainability and innovation. As educators, we encourage our students to explore how scientific advancements can lead to practical solutions for global challenges. As we continue to accept applications for the upcoming academic year, we invite prospective students and their families to learn more about our tuition costs and financial aid options at Verde Valley School Admissions. Join us at Verde Valley School, where education meets innovation, and together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future. #verdevalleyschool
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Colour technology is an integral part of the compounding and processing of Engineering Plastics,?so make it part of the #curriculum! Get to know the basics of Colour and LASER marking, in theory and practice.? Discover how colour raw materials are used in the compounding of Engineering Plastics Gain insight into the development of colour recipes while retaining plastic material properties Find inspiration for the important colour questions on Sustainability and Circularity of Plastics. For lectures and guest lessons (on location in NL, online outside NL), please contact www.wecollaborate.nl Saxion University of Applied Sciences Windesheim NHL Stenden CHILL Wageningen University & Research University of Twente University of Groningen etc... Photo RWKIEK ?www.rwkiek.nl #weColLaborate #FreelanceExpert #AdInterim #TrainerCoach #Pigments #Dyes #Masterbatches #Colour #ColourTechnology ?#Analysis #EngineeringPlastics #Plastics #Sustainability #Circular #Inspiration #Lecture #GuestLesson?
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Educational Tour at Penn Waste’s MRF ???? Yesterday, we had the incredible opportunity to tour Penn Waste's Material Recovery Facility (MRF). We kicked things off in their training and education room, where we learned what it takes to keep a large-scale recycling center running daily. ? It was fascinating to see the integration of AI alongside their skilled team, working in sync to create an efficient process for sorting and processing recyclables. We were especially surprised by the non-recyclable items that come through the facility—propane tanks, lithium batteries, and even a bathroom scale (yes, you read that right!) can cause major disruptions. In fact, the scale shut down the equipment right in front of us. ? Penn Waste's commitment to recycling education is impressive. Through partnerships with municipalities, online resources, and their dedicated sales team, they’re spreading the word on recycling best practices. ? All in all, it was a highly educational experience, shedding light on the importance of proper recycling to keep these facilities running smoothly. ?? #Sustainability #Recycling #PennWaste #AI #Education #NAWIC
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Hi everyone, I am now published. My senior project research report at The University of Akron is now open to view to the public. My research along with those on my team, Alex Mortensen and Ryan Lance, was about converting scrap aluminum chips into useful materials such as wire for additive manufacturing. There is more to it than just melting it down. If you are interested in learning in depth about this topic, feel free to click the link to the full report. https://lnkd.in/gh2bBuMN
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