Latest news with #ZeroWasteInitiative
Qatar Tribune
30-06-2025
- Science
- Qatar Tribune
UDST, Dolphin Energy drive student innovation with ‘Zero Waste Hackathon'
Tribune News Network Doha University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), in collaboration with Dolphin Energy, hosted the 'Zero Waste Hackathon', a key milestone in UDST's commitment to becoming a Zero Waste Campus by 2027. This student-centred competition brought together 23 shortlisted teams who pitched innovative waste management solutions, following an intensive bootcamp designed to unlock sustainable thinking and practical implementation. Spearheaded by UDST's College of Engineering and Technology, the initiative is rooted in the university's broader mission to champion environmental responsibility, social impact, and real-world student engagement. Dr Salem Al-Naemi, president of UDST, emphasised the university's long-term vision and said: 'At UDST, sustainability is not a concept, it's a lived practice. Our students are the heart of this transformation, and today they have demonstrated what it means to combine technical knowledge with purpose-driven innovation. We are proud to partner with industry leaders like Dolphin Energy, whose support is enabling us to turn bold ideas into real impact.' The Zero Waste Initiative, officially launched in January 2025, received over 50 student project submissions. Following a rigorous selection process, 23 teams were chosen to compete in the Hackathon's final stage, a Shark Tank-style pitch event that encouraged critical thinking and sustainable value extraction. Dr Awni Al-Otoom, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, noted: 'This initiative reflects the essence of applied education. By combining our academic rigour with industry mentorship and student creativity, we are equipping future engineers with the mindset and tools to address pressing sustainability challenges starting from our campus.' The Zero Waste Hackathon not only showcased the innovation and passion of UDST students but also reaffirmed the power of collaboration between academia and industry in addressing pressing environmental challenges. As UDST continues to implement the winning projects and leverage a culture of sustainability, the university reinforces its role as a national leader in applied research, environmental stewardship, and student empowerment.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
We don't mean to trash-talk Texas, but it generates more waste than any other state
When it comes to waste generation and recycling rates, one could say Texas needs to clean up its act. A recent study by Eagle Dumpster Rental compared how U.S. states disposed of their trash as the country faces a growing waste management crisis. Using 2024 state data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Census Bureau, the company created a waste generation score by combining three factors: total amount of waste produced, waste produced per person, and recycling rates. States earned a higher score if they produced more waste and recycled less, and a lower score if they produced less waste and recycled more. "What makes these findings particularly compelling is the stark contrast between states' approaches to waste management," says Brian McDaid, recycling expert and founder of Eagle Dumpster Rental. "While all states face similar challenges with growing consumption and limited landfill space, some have found remarkably effective solutions." So how well does Texas do in waste management compared to other states? We're sorry to say the Lone Star State kind of stinks. The Lone Star State generates over one billion tons of waste each year, Eagle Dumpster Rental found. It also only recycles about 8%. The study noted Texas "clearly faces significant environmental challenges," and may be a result of rapid urbanization, extensive industrial operation and strong economic growth. To put it into perspective, Maine, which has a 65% recycling rate, produces 40 times less waste than Texas. Although unclear, Texas' high levels of waste production are likely influenced by its large population. California, the only state with more residents than Texas, had the fourth-highest trash production in the country. Reviewing the study's results, Eagle Dumpster Rental suggests states that generate the most waste may "benefit from public education campaigns about sustainable consumption." "The environmental impact of these waste levels is severe," McDaid says. "We're seeing landfills reach capacity years ahead of schedule, increased groundwater contamination risks, and higher greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing waste. The long-term sustainability of these practices is questionable at best." "There are proven solutions available — implementing stronger recycling programs, incentivizing waste reduction in industrial processes, and encouraging circular economy practices could significantly reduce these numbers." Although the data may seem overwhelming, the company recognizes the potential for progress. Austin got a shout-out for its Zero Waste Initiative, which aims to reduce 90% of waste from landfills and incinerators by 2040. People are also reading: How an Austin trucking company aims to reduce emissions through hybrid, electric tech Rank State Total waste (tons) Per capita waste (tons per person) Recycling rate Waste generation score 1 Texas 1,022,679,545 33 8% 76 2 Ohio 529,985,958 45 16% 65 3 Michigan 626,523,324 62 40% 61 4 California 1,256,981,181 32 41% 60 5 Louisiana 168,682,308 37 4% 60 6 Pennsylvania 523,285,487 40 20% 60 7 Indiana 354,551,690 51 24% 59 8 Colorado 237,491,775 40 11% 59 9 Florida 490,491,433 21 6% 59 10 Tennessee 216,594,691 30 5% 57 On the other end of the spectrum, the Northeast earned high rankings for generating the least amount of waste among states. Eagle Dumpster Rentals attributes Maine's success to its Extended Producer Responsibility laws, while Massachusetts and Vermont benefit from mandatory recycling programs. "The economic benefits of effective waste management are substantial," McDaid says. "States like Maine demonstrate that smart recycling policies create jobs, reduce municipal waste costs, and generate revenue from recyclable materials." Their success shows that environmental responsibility and economic growth can go hand in hand. Other states could achieve similar results by implementing comparable policies and investing in recycling infrastructure. The initial investment in these programs typically pays for itself through reduced landfill costs and the creation of new green jobs." Rank State Total waste (tons) Per capita waste (tons per person) Recycling rate Waste generation score 1 Maine 23,352,625 17 65% 8 2 Massachusetts 16,189,833 2 48% 11 3 Vermont 10,286,300 16 51% 16 4 Connecticut 5,675,840 2 39% 17 5 New Jersey 122,591,761 13 39% 25 6 Minnesota 74,263,217 13 37% 25 7 New York 264,677,094 13 44% 25 8 Maryland 66,023,318 11 33% 26 9 Iowa 102,746,632 32 45% 30 10 Oregon 162,714,810 38 45% 35 This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas produces more trash than any other US state, study finds
