Erica Wilson & Janayra Santiago Fellowship Report

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Summary:  A Study of Waste and Circular Economy

Our research focused on different ways that the world uses waste as a resource.  With the support of the Pat Cooke Fund, we were able to travel to two juxtaposed areas, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Philippines.  This research was a continuation from last year where we traveled to Scandinavia with the same lens.

We began in Abu Dhabi where we spoke with Circa Biotech.  Currently, about 200 million tons of protein is needed as animal feed (poultry, aquaculture, livestock)  globally, to feed the ever-growing human population.  It is anticipated that there will be a 60% growth in demand from 2010 to 2050.  Current methods used to collect protein meal (soybean meal, fish meal, other plant protein sources) are very unsustainable and cannot support the human population in the long run.  At Circa Biotech, they provide an incredibly unique solution by using the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) to process organic waste (such as food) and to transform it into high protein animal feed.  In turn, this reduces the carbon footprint.  While they could not share data due to confidentiality, they are currently expanding into a bigger facility that will be able to treat 15 tons of food waste daily.  Rawane Hamade, a production engineer, has volunteered to meet virtually with Boston Green Academy’s seniors as they learn about upcycling to share their innovative ideas and how they’re contributing to a circular economy.

Following this, we were able to establish a connection with Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation.  Here they offer a Bachelor of Design program that focuses on creating innovators, not designers.  Typical of Dubai, their goal is to teach for the future, creating jobs themselves.  Some of the most interesting projects we saw revolved around different biodegradable materials.  There were dress fabrics created from gelatin, glycerin and coffee ground waste, and coffee cup holders made from date husks and corn flour.  Students start their project-based thesis their sophomore year and work collaboratively with a peer of a different major.  For example, a clothing designer worked with an aeronautical engineering manager to create a biodegradable material for the 3d printing machines.  Instead of using plastic, they used a compound of sand to create a shirt that was 3d printed directly onto the wearer.  While there was a large fashion studio, there were also projects that would further the development of the country.  One example was a robot powered by solar energy.  The robot detects ants and directs them to barren ground to make it more fertile.  There is a great possibility here for a long term partnership between students at the Institute and Boston Green Academy seniors working on their Shark Tank inventions.  There could also be a connection with the Environmental Science students who piloted the Trashion show this past year.

As we moved onto The Philippines, we spent some time speaking with Julienne Fabie of Project UpLift.  Julienne and her team use dried banana leaves to make a variety of items.  While they started with making canvases, which they called Unvas, they have now shifted to making beads and jewelry that are culturally appropriate for the different regions of the country.  Another sustainable mission of the organization is to provide a livelihood for marginalized communities.  They focus on hiring and training women who will have a great impact on their livelihood by contributing to the handmade materials.  This is another great connection to the unit on Upcycling taught in Engineering Physics.

Lastly, we built a partnership with Liter of Light in Manilla, Philippines.  This was the most exciting project simply because it has been shown as an inspiration design as part of the Engineering Physics unit on upcycling for several years now.  Liter of Light started as a refracting lantern design created from used soda bottles, water and a drop of bleach.  Since the use was limited to daytime only, the design has now been improved to PVC models that incorporate a small solar panel.  The PVC comes from reject material that would otherwise need to be processed.  Other countries utilize local materials.  For example, in Bangladesh they use bamboo as the base material.  These lights have shown many benefits around the world, from being able to light homes so students can complete homework, to creating safer streets in otherwise poorly lit areas, to assistance during disaster relief.  While we were at the headquarters, they were creating packages to distribute the lanterns to a community of indigenous people in northern Philippines where a typhoon just hit.  The organization also gave us a few lanterns that we could bring back to show our students.  The founder, Illac Diaz, graduated from MIT and is often in Boston and is willing to come speak with students at Boston Green Academy about how the lanterns have allowed families and communities to put more money back into food and healthcare.