Solid Waste Reuse

Clarkson University » K-12 Students & Teachers » K12 » Project-Based Curricula

In this curriculum, eighth-grade technology students will address the problem of what to do with nonbiodegradable wastes, exploring the idea of making concrete with waste aggregates. Concrete specimens tested at Clarkson University facilities provide data for design choices.

The Concrete Curriculum is founded in the current challenge that exists in our society of "How to deal with the enormous amount of solid waste that we generate?" Working in this curriculum, students will learn that with the creation of new technologies, we make things easier but also create more waste. Take the switch from reusable milk jugs to paper or plastic cartons, for example.

The average person in the U.S. disposes of roughly 4.5 pounds of solid waste per day. Most of this waste ends up in landfills, where it is buried in a controlled environment to prevent contamination of the surrounding area. As a result, there are literally mountains of trash now existing on the planet. Our available landfill space is running out.

Environmental engineering is an outgrowth of our need to solve problems that we have created ourselves. Environmental engineers are called upon to find solutions to restore the equilibrium or balance between nature and society. One branch of environmental engineering deals specifically with finding ways to ensure that the disposal of our waste is done in a safe, responsible manner. Students involved with this program will address the problem of what to do with nonbiodegradable wastes and explore the idea of making concrete with waste aggregates.