Recyclable Waste Conversion

Purpose: Transform everyday, waste paper and plastic into valuable composites.

Method: Temperature, pressure, and material experimentation.

Benefit: Upcycled waste; improve the lives of waste-pickers.

Takeaway: R&D technique, materials knowledge, hardware engineering, and development of methods for useful, everyday recycling.

Help the Local Community

The composites engineering team is developing a reliable and effective process in manufacturing composite building materials from recyclables such as paper and plastic. By applying very specific temperature and pressures to specific fibers and matrices, the team has been able to produce sturdy plates that may be used for roofing tiles, tables, insulations, and a variety of other useful materials.

The research and development that we are undertaking is critical, since we are taking what otherwise would be waste and repurposing them as building materials. Specifically, paper and plastic that would normally be sold to centers at a rate of $2.00/lb may be sold as products for over $15.00/lb. The potential for such a significant increase in value of waste materials provides benefits to both low-cost student prototyping projects as well as poverty alleviation for waste pickers worldwide.

Overall, we aspire to enable greater recycling habits, manufacture eco-friendly and socially-responsible materials, and ultimately provide waste pickers a more livable wage.

Project Manager: Kimberly

Major: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation Date: June 2016
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Experiences: 
  • Engineering Intern (Hewlett-Packard)
  • Design Lead (Global TIES)
  • Research Intern (Bionomics Ltd)
  • Administrative Lead (Summa Consulting)
Awards:
  • 2015-2016 Gordon Scholar
  • 2015 Engineering Research Scholar
  • 2014-Present Eta Kappa Nu Honors
  • 2013-2014 Tate Study Abroad Scholar
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"I started the AICHE Projects Group because I found that having hands-on ability and a history of team-work contributed significantly to my growth as a student and professional."

Gain Skills as a Student & Professional

From this project, students will gain skills in conducting R&D in the field of composites (materials science). The project will explore various materials- both their individual properties and their composite abilities- as well as provide students experience with conducting experiments and analyzing data. Students will gain skills in the use of a Taber and thermocouple, in addition to developing their ability to critically think, analyze, and make reasonable conclusions from data.