Laboratory courses will, by their nature, produce some amount of waste. With the goal of reducing the amount of waste in WPI’s introductory biology and chemistry teaching labs, we assessed both the nature of the waste produced and procurement of lab supplies. We did this by interviewing personnel from relevant departments, surveying students and faculty involved in labs, observing lab course sections, and analyzing purchasing data acquired from lab management offices. Our suggestions for changes include standardized material categories for digital inventory records, enhanced waste disposal posters, utilization of recycling programs, and increased lab instruction.

• 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

• Denmark, Bryce
• Noons, Noelle
• McDonough, Jake
• Soofi, Anjum
• Mackisey, Dylan

Subject

• Environment
• Sustainability

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 90981
• E-project-030323-150223

Keyword

• Sustainability
• Green Labs
• Lab Waste

Advisor

• Manning, Amity L.
• Mathisen, Paul P.

Year

• 2023

Sponsor

• Office of Sustainability

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Date created

• 2023-03-03

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Source

• E-project-030323-150223

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-04-19