Empirical experience is indispensable for the engineer. In an eventual bid to solve the world’s problems, a considerable slice of formative engineering education occurs in the workshop, affording students the opportunity to leverage conceptual knowledge and materialise what was hitherto purely theoretical. However, an unfortunate requisite for such materialisation is the presence of materials, and the inevitable consequence of said presence is waste.
Waste from such endeavours represents a significant portion of refuse originating in educational institutions. Generally, it is almost dismissively disposed of, not from a lack of awareness but for want of alternatives. As an attempt to mitigate if not eliminate this problem, we believe the optimal solution lies in recycling - not the ostensibly magical process that only occurs miles away from the bin but a more direct and pragmatic approach to reusing materials. We suggest that excess material be redesigned into composites, for instance, that may be used for prototyping. Something as ubiquitous as sawdust may be fashioned into a powder that can be further utilised to fortify other materials. These composites may not be as strong and versatile as their constituent parts, but their use for design has much potential and gives these substances a new lease on life.
We aim to focus on SDGs 9 and 12, reflecting on the repercussions of waste particularly in education and its connection to responsible production. We are of the opinion that the best way the engineering sector may be made globally responsible is to create powerful, tangible and scalable solutions at the grassroots level, giving us and others the chance to develop these ideas further to foster a gradual yet deliberate change in the sustainability of the engineering enterprise.
Love this idea, fascinating ideas proposed, hope the final solution is helpful!
Hi
Just passing through, I am not officially your team's mentor but would like to state that I fully agree this is a real problem and there is also a whole new element to this - 3D printing waste. As far as I know there is no current viable method to recycle this and is even worse than the material waste you've mentioned due to being mostly inorganic materials.
Good luck!
Hi
I’ve been allocated as one of your mentors in this assignment and I’m looking forward to working with you. I'm happy to be contacted on leylandharrison0757@gmail.com where if needed, we can organise an online meeting.
I do like this idea, it has the potential for embedding the principle of life cycle consideration/analysis into the future engineer’s mind set and fits very well into “Reshaping Education”.
While you state this is for SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation and SDG12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, do you see any links with SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all?
In the concept note you mention “…that excess material be redesigned into composites”, it would be better to see some consideration as to how you can prove the composite materials will be fit-for-purpose. Using new materials is fraught with new challenges and if any failures in the use of these new materials, runs a very high risk of Repurposing Workshop Waste, that it will not be used.
Remember the design needs to demonstrate how you have been ‘Inclusive’ in your thought process and that you will need to demonstrate any diverse or opposing viewpoints. These different viewpoints will come from the people who have to implement this idea into their organisations. I would expect to see how you are to mange these views into your implementation plan. How do you see this being executed at local, national and international levels?