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Description
As a cause of negative economic, societal, and environmental effects, food waste is increasingly being seen as a sustainability issue that needs to be addressed. Reduction of food waste is preferred to recycling because it reduces the financial burden and technological innovations needed to address the issue. While there are

As a cause of negative economic, societal, and environmental effects, food waste is increasingly being seen as a sustainability issue that needs to be addressed. Reduction of food waste is preferred to recycling because it reduces the financial burden and technological innovations needed to address the issue. While there are many different approaches to reduce food waste, this paper investigates dynamic social norms as an avenue for reducing food waste. Recent studies showcased the effectiveness of using dynamic social norms to reduce meat consumption and the use of to-go cups. However, there appears to be a gap in research that investigates the impact of dynamic social norms in U.S. university community dining settings. This study piloted the use of dynamic social norms to intervene in post-consumer food waste behaviors at Arizona State University. Specifically, this study compared food waste amounts in a location with and without an intervention tool as well as conducted interviews to monitor any self-reported behavior change. Results show that dynamic social norms can promote behavior change in terms of food waste when compared to a control location without the intervention. Further, this study advocates for monitoring food habits through both quantitative and qualitative analysis in order to identify potential behavior changes that could not be captured to the same extent by a mono-methodological approach.
ContributorsCampbell, Hailey Paige (Author) / Fischer, Daniel (Thesis director) / Auustin-Behravesh, Shirley-Ann (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor, Contributor) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Cyanobacteria have the potential to efficiently produce L-serine, an industrially important amino acid, directly from CO2 and sunlight, which is a more sustainable and inexpensive source of energy as compared to current methods. The research aims to engineer a strain of Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 that increases L-serine production

Cyanobacteria have the potential to efficiently produce L-serine, an industrially important amino acid, directly from CO2 and sunlight, which is a more sustainable and inexpensive source of energy as compared to current methods. The research aims to engineer a strain of Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 that increases L-serine production by mutating regulatory mechanisms that natively inhibit its production and encoding an exporter. While an excess of L-serine was not found in the supernatant of the cell cultures, with further fine tuning of the metabolic pathway and culture conditions, high titers of L-serine can be found. With the base strain engineered, the work can be extended and optimized by deleting degradation pathways, tuning gene expression levels, optimizing growth conditions, and investigating the effects of nitrogen supplementation for the strain.
ContributorsAbed, Omar (Author) / Nielsen, David (Thesis director) / Jones, Christopher (Committee member) / Chemical Engineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
There has been a clear distance between Greek life and sustainability goals on college campuses for years. One such reason for this issue is that students in Greek life do not have a formalized way of getting involved in sustainability with a group of like-minded individuals. This project seeks to

There has been a clear distance between Greek life and sustainability goals on college campuses for years. One such reason for this issue is that students in Greek life do not have a formalized way of getting involved in sustainability with a group of like-minded individuals. This project seeks to bridge the gap between two groups (sustainability groups, and Greek life) who rarely end up collaborating. We decided to create a two part framework for starting an on campus organization that can be used to connect Greek Life and sustainability at any college across the United States. Our main methodology was recording our actions and resources over the course of two years of creating this organization from scratch. In addition to this, we created data driven results by conducting surveys to gain feedback and knowledge on opportunities for optimization of our organization. Finally, we travelled to University of Texas at Austin to compare our club’s similarities and differences, and optimize using our shared knowledge of Green Greeks. As a result of our research we have created a two part framework consisting of written analysis which contains best practices for this club as well as a corresponding cloud based information drive that contains a systematic approach to starting a successful organization on a college campus. The main implication of this project is to create a network of Green Greeks clubs across the U.S. University system so that Greek students can make incremental changes to their lives to help improve campus sustainability.
ContributorsGraterol, Alejandro (Co-author) / Randolph, Adam (Co-author) / Hagen, Bjoern (Thesis director) / Norton, Susan (Thesis director) / Jung, Kendon (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Within recent years, the drive for increased sustainability within large corporations has drastically increased. One critical measure within sustainability is the diversion rate, or the amount of waste diverted from landfills to recycling, repurposing, or reselling. There are a variety of different ways in which a company can improve their

Within recent years, the drive for increased sustainability within large corporations has drastically increased. One critical measure within sustainability is the diversion rate, or the amount of waste diverted from landfills to recycling, repurposing, or reselling. There are a variety of different ways in which a company can improve their diversion rate, such as repurposing paper. A conventional method would be to simply have a recycling bin for collecting all paper, but the concern for large companies then becomes a security issue as confidential papers may not be safe in a traditional recycling bin. Salt River Project (SRP) has tackled this issue by hiring a third-party vendor (TPV) and having all paper placed into designated, secure shredding bins whose content is shredded upon collection and ultimately recycled into new material. However, while this effort is improving their diversion, the question has arisen of how to make the program viable in the long term based on the costs required to sustain it. To tackle this issue, this thesis will focus on creating a methodology and sampling plan to determine the appropriate level of a third-party recycling service required and to guide efficient bin-sizing solutions. This will in turn allow for SRP to understand how much paper waste is being produced and how accurately they are being charged for TPV services.
ContributorsHolladay, Amy E. (Author) / Escobedo, Adolfo (Thesis director) / Kucukozyigit, Ali (Committee member) / Industrial, Systems & Operations Engineering Prgm (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Every year hundreds of people are trading in their cubicle to experience the freedom of an open road in a van home. The van life movement is growing rapidly as people seek more sustainable, adventurous, and financially effective ways of life. Many van lifers pursue the luxury of time over

Every year hundreds of people are trading in their cubicle to experience the freedom of an open road in a van home. The van life movement is growing rapidly as people seek more sustainable, adventurous, and financially effective ways of life. Many van lifers pursue the luxury of time over the luxury of money. Others fund their journey by working remote jobs from the comfort of their van home while parked next to their favorite waterfall. These camper vans are unique in their minimalist, interior designs as well as their energy efficient systems. This project encompassed the design of an off-grid camper van while following set guidelines of only using clean energy sources for power and including low weight items within the van. My design is showcased with a SolidWorks model and is equipped with a solar panel awning, a rainwater collection system, and a full bathroom with a solar shower. The design includes a general wiring diagram and recommendations for all materials and features to incorporate in the build. In addition, a downloadable bill of materials and website were created to show how this nomadic lifestyle can be achieved by those eager to travel and meet new people. As I begin my own van build and embark on my journey, this website will be updated to share my findings and connect with the larger community currently involved in their own venture or curious about starting their own build. The greatest moments in life will be outside your comfort zone so choose to take that step and embrace the experience.
ContributorsScott, Branson (Author) / Phelan, Patrick (Thesis director) / Nelson, Jacob (Committee member) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Where is the fashion industry at now in terms of sustainability and how is it looking to improve for the future? The fashion industry has become one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the world. Since technology has allowed brands to mass produce clothing quickly and cheaply, consumers have

Where is the fashion industry at now in terms of sustainability and how is it looking to improve for the future? The fashion industry has become one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the world. Since technology has allowed brands to mass produce clothing quickly and cheaply, consumers have become accustomed to purchasing clothing much more frequently. This drastic change in consumer behavior and mass production of garments has led to an incredible amount of waste in our landfills. The current process of manufacturing clothing has pushed fashion to become the second most polluting industry in the world behind oil (McKinsey & Company, 2020). The amount of greenhouse gas emissions released and water used during the clothing manufacturing process is very high. Additionally, harmful chemicals used in the dyeing process pollute nearby water supplies and leave laborers vulnerable to dangerous toxins.

The purpose of this thesis is to assess where the fashion industry has been in terms of sustainability and how it is looking to improve in the future. I researched how fast fashion has caused harm to the environment as consumer behavior has changed, raw materials are sourced unsustainably, and manufacturing of the garments themselves create environmental issues. I also conducted an external environment analysis to assess which current trends will impact the success or failure of sustainable fashion initiatives as well as the competitors that sustainable brands face in the current market. Based on these trends, I identified the demographics that would most likely be interested in sustainable fashion. Finally, I conducted interviews with six professionals in the industry to get their insight on how the industry has changed and where it is heading in terms of sustainability.
ContributorsMyong, Cerina (Author) / Riker, Elise (Thesis director) / Lisjak, Monika (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor, Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with a staggering 1.4 billion cups of coffee poured a day (Coffee Consumption around the World). One-point six percent of total US GDP is made up by coffee operations and fuels 1.6 million jobs in the United States

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with a staggering 1.4 billion cups of coffee poured a day (Coffee Consumption around the World). One-point six percent of total US GDP is made up by coffee operations and fuels 1.6 million jobs in the United States (The Global Coffee Industry). However, with an increasingly complex political and economic world, along with the threat of climate change, the world’s coffee supply is at risk of total collapse. There are two primary varieties of coffee consumed in the world, Arabica and Robusta coffee. Most coffee producing countries run along the equator and are generally classified as developing economies. The global south is relied upon for coffee production. “Across Mexico and Central America, over 4 million people depend directly on coffee production for their livelihoods” (An Integrated Framework). Coffee production helps boost these economies and support families financially, with many workers having to support dependent individuals.
ContributorsWinter, Lauren Dorothy (Author) / Keane, Katy (Thesis director) / Printezis, Antonios (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
This project draws sustainability material out of the textbook and into the body using a
role play simulation modeled around Michigan wolf management. In this case, role play simulation is a game fabricated to reflect the complexity of real-world conflict. The goal of the exercise is to engage players in mock

This project draws sustainability material out of the textbook and into the body using a
role play simulation modeled around Michigan wolf management. In this case, role play simulation is a game fabricated to reflect the complexity of real-world conflict. The goal of the exercise is to engage players in mock negotiation and expand their knowledge of wicked environmental problems. By encouraging participants to question their own thought process, the activity aims to foster a transformational experience.
ContributorsVermeer, Danielle Nicole (Author) / Cloutier, Scott (Thesis director) / Movahed, Neda (Committee member) / School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
It is a widely accepted fact that the fashion industry is the second most unsustainable industry in the world, just behind oil (Qutab, 2016). Although some research would like to suggest that fashion is more sustainable than it actually is, it is indisputably a huge contributor to waste and something

It is a widely accepted fact that the fashion industry is the second most unsustainable industry in the world, just behind oil (Qutab, 2016). Although some research would like to suggest that fashion is more sustainable than it actually is, it is indisputably a huge contributor to waste and something obviously needs to change (Friedman, 2018). When people hear about how unsustainable the fashion industry is, they usually think about fast fashion and how quickly clothes are being produced, purchased, and then discarded. What most people probably do not think about is that visual merchandising is also a large reason the fashion industry is considered so unsustainable. Visual merchandising is the act of displaying merchandise in a way that makes it attractive to consumers (Business Dictionary, n.d.). For example, most of the props, signage, decor, and fixturing that are used to create the whimsical window displays seen on Michigan Avenue or Rodeo Drive are simply thrown in the trash after use. This is a problem because the turnover for window displays is almost as fast as it is for merchandise. Tons of materials are trashed week after week, season after season, and year after year. As a fashion minor and someone who works in visual merchandising for two different companies, I have seen firsthand just how much waste is created from making a store look beautiful. Because of this, I wanted my creative project to highlight the issue of sustainability in the fashion industry, and more specifically, in visual merchandising. The goal of this project is to demonstrate that you can create a beautiful and captivating window display using recycled materials. To do this, I created three pieces to be used in a window display that I constructed out of discarded props, signage, and decor that I collected from different stores such as Crate & Barrel, Michael Kors, and Free People. A display that is made out of recycled materials does not need to look like a pile of garbage, but can look just as beautiful and inspiring as a display made entirely of new materials. In creating these three pieces out of recycled materials, I aim to prove that visual merchandising can be more sustainable in ways that are not as difficult as one might think, and help spark a change in the fashion industry as a whole.
ContributorsVan Horn, Olivia Rei (Author) / Sewell, Dennita (Thesis director) / Shrigley, Lisa (Committee member) / Dean, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
This thesis is exploring the potential disconnect between the operational and cultural parts in the making of sustainability at Arizona State University (ASU) to find the disconnect in operational goals, student engagement, and thus student behavior in building sustainability at the university. To do so, I compare and contrast how

This thesis is exploring the potential disconnect between the operational and cultural parts in the making of sustainability at Arizona State University (ASU) to find the disconnect in operational goals, student engagement, and thus student behavior in building sustainability at the university. To do so, I compare and contrast how ASU, Northern Arizona University (NAU), and the University of Arizona (UA) define, create, and demonstrate sustainability in their university’s culture and campus engagement programs. I first define what “culture” is in this study to provide context on how the word is being applied. Next, I assess how culture is reflected in the mission, vision, and/or goals of each university to set the tone for how the university intends to shape the culture of student experience through its services, as well as provide context where sustainability concepts may fit within. Then I assess what sustainability is demonstrated and defined as at each university. To thread each of these components together, I compare and contrast campus sustainability engagement programs at ASU, NAU, and UA based on the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) reports produced by The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE), as engagement programs are a reflection of the university’s vision, goals, and values brought from theory to practice. My findings are demonstrated in the form of a policy analysis, followed by recommendations on closing the gap where engagement programs and opportunities are potentially missing. These recommendations are intended to advance a stronger culture of sustainability on campus at ASU.
ContributorsMullis, Kailey Cheyenne (Author) / Goggin, Peter (Thesis director) / Jung, Kendon (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05