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Sustainability Project Laboratory

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Introduction

The Sustainability Project Laboratory is a database of sustainability-related project proposals. This resource hosts projects and project ideas that can be adopted by faculty, staff, and students for course projects, capstone or senior projects, theses, and more! Projects are divided into two tables: " Project Database", where full projects are available, and " Project Idea Database", where raw ideas, often from public comments, are stored until they are developed into full projects.

For projects external to the university, please check the Projects that Matter website. Check our Frequently Asked Questions for details and funding opportunities.

Choose a sustainability project through GivePulse

Propose a sustainability project

Adopt a sustainability project

Feel free to be creative! Contact the Office of Sustainability ( sustainability@ohio.edu ) for assistance understanding project details or breaking large projects into smaller tasks or for more information.


Project Database

Select heading titles to sort. Click the "+" for more information.

Project Title
Possible Academic Connection
Project length
Experiential Learning?
Community Engagement?
Connection to Sustainability Plan*
Project Information Sheet
Brief description
Impacts of Laundry
Chemistry, Energy Engineering, Environmental Science and Sustainability, Environmental Science, Business
Semester
Yes
No
Find and quantify the impact of student laundry on campus sustainability, including the carbon footprint, and supply recommendations for reductions.
OHIO Carbon Offsets
Environmental Studies, Plant Biology, Geography, Restaurant, Hotel & Tourism
Semester, multi-year
Yes
No
Create a proposal for an Ohio University certified carbon offset program.
Hammock Stand Proposal - COMPLETE
Recreation & Sport Pedagogy, Urban Planning & Sustainability
Semester
Yes
No
Create OHIO hammock stand proposal:  determine best practices, location(s), costs and benefits.
Green Roof Project 
Engineering, Communications, Public Health, Public Policy, Business, Economics
Month, semester, week
Yes
Yes
Broad opportunities to create projects related to green roof infrastructure.  Engage students in public health, policy, business and economics while exploring benefits of green roof infrastructure.
Hocking River Channel Biodiversity 
Environmental Studies, Plant Biology, Public Policy, Geography
Year, thesis
Yes
Yes
Investigate process for updating the Hocking Conservancy District's charter to allow for less mowing and greater biodiversity.
Plant-based Burgers Taste Testing 
Human & Consumer Sciences; Nutrition; Restaurant, Hotel, & Tourism
Semester
Yes
No
Evaluate opportunities for replacing all-beef burgers with a beef/mushroom mix
Surface Water Hydrocarbon Baseline Determination
Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Environmental Studies; Urban Planning
Semester
Yes
Yes
Develop sampling plan; collect and analyze surface water samples along the Ohio River for a community group
Determining Carbon Emissions from Commuting – Average Distance
GIS, Geography, Environmental Studies
Month (repeated annually)
Yes
No
Utilize GIS data from Parking Services to determine average distance commuted by Ohio University faculty, staff and students
Triple bottom line cost-benefit analysis tool GUI
Computer Science
Semester
Yes
Yes
Create GUI for an open access triple bottom line cost-benefit analysis tool.
People-Powered Transit Bike Bus
Civil Engineering
Semester, year
Yes
No
Create a human-powered bike bus (bike with 8-12 seats) to increase healthy active transportation among students on campus.
Solar Installments
Civil Engineering
Multi-year
Yes
No
Cover rooftops and other surfaces with solar panels/other solar installments to use a better type of energy and reduce electricity consumption on campus.
Water Leak Detection System
Civil Engineering, Business
Semester
No
No
Determine which leak detection system is the most effective and will cost the least for the University.
Shop Local! 
Marketing
Semester
Yes
Yes
Create a marketing plan that can be utilized to encourage Ohio University students to buy goods and services from local businesses.
Educational Campaign for District Recycling Drop-off Locations 
Marketing, Graphic Design
Semester, year or thesis/dissertation
Yes
Yes
Create an educational campaign for the Solid Waste District to promote District Drop-Off locations to improve recycling regionally.
Energy Competition 
Marketing
Semester
Yes
No
Develop a marketing plan for an Ohio University Energy Competition.
Move-out Waste 
Marketing, Environmental Studies
Semester, year or thesis/dissertation
Yes
Yes
Create a proposal for the Solid Waste District for “Move Out” of dorms, college rentals, empty nesters, relocation and relatives of the deceased.
Crowdfunding Green Revolving Fund 
Marketing, Visual Communication, Graphic Design
Semester
Yes
No
Create a crowdfunding campaign for a student Green Revolving Loan Fund.
Increase Public Transportation 
Marketing, Urban Planning and Sustainability
Semester
Yes
Yes
Develop marketing materials to promote the use of public transportation on campus.
Promoting Use of Reusable Bags 
Marketing, Visual Communication
Semester
Yes
No
Design a graphic to be used around campus and in local businesses encouraging shoppers to opt for a reusable bag instead of plastic.
Encouraging Local Food Consumption
Marketing, Visual Communication, Graphic Design
Semester
Yes
Yes
Create marketing for Ohio University dining halls encouraging local food consumption.
Aquatic Center Energy Capture 
Civil Engineering
Semester
Yes
No
Develop a method of capturing hydroelectrical energy from falling water in the pool filtration system in the University Aquatic Center and generate a corresponding cost and benefits analysis.
Drone-Based Tree Inventory
Plant Biology, Environmental Studies, Geography, GIS
Semester, Thesis
Determination of species, size and diversity of trees on Ohio University campuses.

* Ohio University's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP)


Project Idea Database

Project Idea Title Possible Academic Connection Project length Connection to Sustainability Plan* Brief description
Outdoor Recycling Implementation
Operations Research, Management Courses semester Waste Reduce the overall number of waste locations by developing a multi-tier plan to co-locate recycling at every location.
Pipette Tip Sterilization and Reuse
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry Semester or thesis/dissertation Waste Generate a cost-benefit analysis and grant proposal for the purchase of pipette tip sterilization equipment to reduce plastic usage in Ohio University labs.
Pollinator Habitat Development and Increased Natural Growth Nearby Residence Halls with Signage
Plant Biology, Biology semester Grounds Create a plan to increase pollinator habitat development, maintenance, and natural plant growth by residence halls. Include clear signage at naturalized/pollinator sites to explain to students that these are significant areas, not just unmaintained spaces
Educating Faculty Researchers on 'Sustainability Research' Definition
Teacher Education semester Human Resources Create a plan to educate Faculty Researchers on the definition  for sustainable research, and to encourage them to conduct research which meets the definition. 
Determining Carbon Emissions from Commuting- Mode Share Determination 
Civil Engineering - Transportation group semester Climate , Energy  Set up a transportation study on campus to determine mode share (% of walkers, bikers, SOV, carpoolers, bussers).
Solar PV Panels for Groundskeeper Shed near Clippinger
Energy Engineering semester Energy , Grounds The project would be to size the PV installation needed to power the electric equipment and to estimate triple bottom line costs for the installation. 
Reforming Plastics - Equipment
ETM, Mechanical Engineering semester Waste, Build and/or optimize use of shredders, melters, extruders to create recycled plastic feedstock 
Reforming Plastics - Usage
COFA, Mechanical engineering, Public Administration, Environmental Studies semester Waste Determine circular economic use of recycled plastic feedstock 
Energy Reduction: Increase use of Natural Light
Interior Architecture; Psychology semester Buildings Why do faculty/staff/students turn on lights in buildings with plenty of natural lighting?  Which buildings could be targets for lighting use reduction, and how could this be achieved? 
Energy Competitions- Implementation (annual)
Energy Engineering annual Energy Track progress and results from energy competitions. 
Carbon Emissions from Investments
Finance, Environmental Studies MS project Climate Determine the carbon emissions from OHIO Foundation investments. 
LEED Lab
CE 4540/5540 thesis or dissertation Buildings Evaluate existing buildings on campus for LEED certification 
Renewable Energy Cost Benefit Analysis
Energy Engineering semester  Climate Use SAM and the TBL CBA framework to determine costs and benefits of various renewable energy systems for campus. 
Storm Water Best Management Practices
Geography, Civil Engineering semester Grounds , Buildings Design a stormwater BMP for a building or parking lot on campus, considering water retention, potable water use replacement, feasibility of cost and maintenance (only should convert already maintained grounds to BMPs that need maintenance), etc. 
Analysis of Low Flow Fixtures
Civil Engineering semester Buildings Determine flow/flush rates needed in fixtures and toilets for the water line slopes found in buildings on campus. 
Hebbardsville Farm: Business Plan for Sustainable Tree Harvesting
Plant Biology, Business semester Grounds Create a business plan for sustainably harvesting mature trees at Hebbardsville Farm and reusing timber to renovate barn on site. 
Video Projects:  How to recycle, compost and landfill at OHIO 
Visual Communications, Journalism semester Waste Create a short, fun video for orientations about handling waste on campus
Video Projects:  Stormwater Management at OHIO 
Visual Communications, Journalism semester Water Create a short, fun video about stormwater management at OHIO for EPA stormwater permit regulations 
Storm Drain Outlet Sampling
Civil Engineering semester Water Have students locate dry weather storm drain discharges; sample and analyze for pH, alkalinity, fluoride, E. coli, etc., and produce report. 
Transportation on Campus:  What are the best routes and small mobility devices to choose to navigate campus? 
Civil Engineering, Urban Planning & Sustainability semester Transportation Create maps and recommendations for non-automobile travel on campus.  Record travel times for walking, bicycling, e-scootering, etc. from select locations to select destinations
Green bikes program
Sport & Rec Pedagogy semester Transportation Create loaner program for used bikes, and a bike maintenance shop, both staffed by volunteers 
Plastic Bricks 
Civil Engineering, Construction Management semester Waste Partner with service organizations and community groups to create plastic bricks, determine best use, and incorporate into structures
Pollution Prevention Challenge
Environmental Studies, Environmental Health & Safety one week Waste Create and implement plan to market and encourage participation in the Pollution Prevention Challenge (part of US EPA Pollution Prevention Week)
Canopy Cover
Plant Biology, Environmental Studies, Geography, GIS semester Grounds Quantification of greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential and ecological services provided by trees on Ohio University campuses; use i-Tree.
Riparian Zone/Flood Protection Project Plant Maintenance
Plant Biology, Urban Planning and Sustainability Month Grounds  ,  Climate Work with Hocking Conservancy District and local governments to create updated flood protection project maintenance plan that allows for pollinator habitat
Increased Green Roof Development
Environmental Studies, Plant Biology Year, Multi-year Climate Water Develop green roofs on campus to better manage storm water runoff balance out carbon emissions.
Annual Climate Conference
Geography-Urban Planning & Sustainability Annually Climate Plan an annual climate conference including students, faculty, and speakers on campus.
Local Solar Electricity Production
Energy Engineering Multi-year Energy Increase local solar electricity production, specifically on rooftops and parking lot car ports.
Use Cleaner Fuel Sources
Geography- Urban Planning& Sustainability Multi-year Climate Replace lawn mowers, vehicles, and air conditioners/heaters with a cleaner fuel source to reduce emissions.
Green Wall
Plant Biology Multi-year Energy Water Create a green wall to help heat inside of buildings and reduce storm water management. 
Recycling Education Program
Education Major Year, Multi-year Waste Water Create a recycling education program to prevent stream  contamination and promote a cleaner campus.
Compost Bins near Residence Halls
Environmental Studies Semester Waste Water Put compost bins near residence halls to reduce the amount of waste that goes into the landfill.
Dining Hall Competitions/ Start Composting Programs
Environmental Studies Semester Student Life Waste Create dining hall competitions and programs for composting to reduce the amount of waste that goes to the landfill.
Benches Around Pond Area
Mechanical Engineering Semester, Year Grounds Waste  (if made from recyclable plastics) Make benches from recycled polystryene to put around pond areas to make the area more attractive to faculty/ students. 
Student Employment/ Volunteer Opportunities through Campus Recycling
Community Leadership Semester, Year Student Life Waste Promote student employment and volunteer opportunities through Campus Recycling to increase student involvement and educate students about benefits of recycling.
Additional Funding for Student Sustainability Majors/Certificates/Programs
Business Could do fundraiser multiple times per year

Investments

Procurement

Create a fundraiser to get scholarship funding for students in sustainability majors/ certificates/ programs
Create Sustainable Study Abroad Experiences
Any- see the Office of Global Opportunities for more information Year Curriculum  Create and promote sustainability study abroad experiences, such as the urban planning in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Create a required Environmental Studies/ Sustainability Course
Environmental Studies, Environmental Science and Sustainability, University College, Education Semester, Annually Curriculum Create a Gen-ed required Environmental Studies/Sustainability course every undergraduate would have to take regardless of major. Implement sustainability curriculum into the Learning Community Program to provide a one-time lesson to first year students.
Carbon Offsets
Business/ Accounting Semester  Investments Create a budget management plan for purchasing carbon offsets for older/high-emitting buildings that aren't scheduled for renovation. 
Energy Usage Education
Education Major Annually

Curriculum

Energy

Educate students on how to limit their energy usage to reduce the amount of energy used in residence halls.
Student Education about negative impacts of waste
Education Major Semester

Waste

Curriculum

Education students about negative of waste and advantages to recycling, composting and not purchasing things they don't need.
Add Vegetarian/international food options
Culinary Arts Year Food Add more vegetarian and international food options to cafeterias to promote sustainable foods.
Offer discounts for own reusable cutlery sets
Business, Center for Entrepreneurship  Semester

Student Life

Investments

Offer discounts for those who show their own reusable cutlery sets at checkout to promote reusable silverware.
More food awareness signs at checkout
Marketing  Semester Waste Create more educational/ awareness signs to put at checkout to remind students about how much food they will actually be able to eat (to prevent food waste)
Add Bike Routes on Campus and Reduce Routes Open to Cars
Urban Planning and Sustainability, Civil Engineering, Outdoor Recreation Year, Multi-year

Climate

Transportation

Add bike routes and reduce the amount of routes open to cars on campus to make it more bike-friendly, promote human transportation, and reduce emissions from gas vehicles.
Give students a discount/extra meal swipe for healthy food choices
Business Semester, year

Food

Student Life

Incentivized students to make healthy/ vegetarian choices by providing them with a punch card/ discount/ extra meal swipe as these choices should be less expensive, and should be reflected in how much they pay.
Reduce the amount of red meat sold
Human and Consumer Sciences, Nutrition Year, Multi year

Climate

Food

Reduce the amount of red meat served ( meat industry generates 18% of annual global greenhouse gas production) to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Host farmers market
Business, Center for Entrepreneurship  Semester

Food

Student Life

Host farmers market with local foods and goods to promote sustainable food options.

* Ohio University's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP)


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