Over the next few weeks, undergraduate and graduate students, their families, friends and colleagues will gather virtually for commencement to celebrate the class of 2020. In appreciation of our graduating students’ contributions to the UW community, the College of the Environment will join UW Recycling and the Campus Sustainability Fund by making a gift to Precious Plastics, a project to support efforts to mitigate plastic waste on campus. The gift is based on recommendations from our Student Advisory Council and the votes of graduating students.
The funding will help students build and sustain a DIY plastics recycling workshop in the Maple Hall Area 01 Maker Space, including 4 machines that shred, melt, compress and mold used plastic into usable products like 3D printing filament and construction materials. The project also provides research opportunities in sustainability, engineering, waste management policy, industrial design, communications and business development, and brings together students, Registered Student Organizations, and departments in creating positive impacts on UW’s plastics life cycle.
Our students are the next generation of leaders in environmental science and decision-making, and we make this contribution in support of their commitment to the sustainability and well-being of our community and planet.
Congratulations, class of 2020!
