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Articles 1 - 12 of 12
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Life Cycle Assessment Comparing End Of Life Treatment For Paper And Plastic Bags, Olivia Tsamparlis
Life Cycle Assessment Comparing End Of Life Treatment For Paper And Plastic Bags, Olivia Tsamparlis
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
This research focuses on the effects plastic, paper, and textile grocery bags have on our environment. This project aims to answer two questions: Based on an LCA approach of the disposal stage, which is better for the environment: plastic or paper? Which type of grocery bag, paper or plastic has a higher sustainability potential based on end of life data? LCA software and assessment tools identified the risks paper, plastic, and textile waste has on the environment the disposal stage. OpenLCA was used as a platform to compile the life cycle data. To obtain the data needed, the European reference …
Infectious Diseases In A Warming World: Using A Modified Sir Model To Investigate The Incidence Rates Of Lyme Disease In The New England Area, Carly Sullivan
Infectious Diseases In A Warming World: Using A Modified Sir Model To Investigate The Incidence Rates Of Lyme Disease In The New England Area, Carly Sullivan
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
The effects of climate change are global and unprecedented in scale. Public health is likely to suffer as a result of the warming climate, and one particular risk is the increase in the occurrence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in different regions across the world. The purpose of this project is to investigate the impact of rising temperatures on the incidence rates of Lyme disease in the New England area. Following a review of the existing literature relating to the impact of climate factors on VBDs, an SIR model modified for temperature conditions will be utilized to produce several simulated scenarios. …
Assessing The End-Of-Life Environmental Impacts Of Glass, Metal, And Plastic: An Lca Approach, Gabrielle Ritzer
Assessing The End-Of-Life Environmental Impacts Of Glass, Metal, And Plastic: An Lca Approach, Gabrielle Ritzer
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
In this study, the environmental impacts of landfilled glass, ferrous metal, and plastic were evaluated and analyzed. This study utilized a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to determine the environmental impacts of each beverage packaging. The beverage packaging materials glass, ferrous metals, and plastic were analyzed from an end of life of perspective. The significance of this study was to determine the extent and severity of the environmental impacts these materials have once deposited into a landfill. The information gained from this study determined which of the products was more sustainable from an end-of-life perspective. Ferrous metal was found to …
Quantifying Eco-Friendliness Of Plastic, Paper, And Reusable Bags, Leah Ryan
Quantifying Eco-Friendliness Of Plastic, Paper, And Reusable Bags, Leah Ryan
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
The plight of the consumer in regards to making eco-conscious decisions is growing as concerns regarding the environment increase. This study was conducted in an effort to give consumers a tool to combat some of this issue and compare the types of shopping bags they use in terms of eco-friendliness. Research conducted in this avenue thus far contains convoluted conclusions, all made with consideration of some variables, but not all. This purpose of this study therefore lay in trying to give consumers a standardized tool to compare bag types that considered variables across all stages of a bags’ life (pre-use, …
The Intersection Of Crude Palm Oil & Deforestation: A Sustainability Analysis, Amelia Olsen
The Intersection Of Crude Palm Oil & Deforestation: A Sustainability Analysis, Amelia Olsen
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
In recent years, palm oil has gained international attention as an efficient, versatile, and inexpensive oil, and is now an ingredient in 50% of items in the grocery store. As a result, there has been an increase in complaints regarding the environmental impact stemming from the production of palm oil, including those of deforestation and harmful emissions. In response to these complaints, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was created to certify palm oil that meets certain criteria, (including being produced without an element of deforestation) as sustainable. Now, the RSPO certifies over 3.09 million hectares of palm oil …
Comparing German And Us Energy Transitions: Centralized Vs. Decentralized Government Approaches, Sarah Greenway
Comparing German And Us Energy Transitions: Centralized Vs. Decentralized Government Approaches, Sarah Greenway
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
The German Energiewende (“energy transition”) is often credited with being the most ambitious renewable energy transition in the world. Germany’s rapid transition is mainly led by their Renewable Energy Act of 2000, which has been amended several times in order to remain relevant during changing conditions. In contrast, the United States’ energy transition seems stagnant and lacks an overall direction from the Federal Government. Despite this, the United States is making progress towards implementing renewable energy technologies due to the efforts of several states. Germany’s transition has experienced a number of challenges along the way, while the United States’ transition …
The Implications Of Self-Driving Cars On Insurance, Amanda Lobello
The Implications Of Self-Driving Cars On Insurance, Amanda Lobello
Honors Projects in Mathematics
Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, are being researched and tested by automakers, technology industry leaders, and other institutions. Lawmakers and politicians are discussing the legislation that will affect the fate of such technology. Primary benefits include safety, mobility, free time, less traffic, and green effects. However, there are also obstacles to the implementation of self-driving vehicles including consumer acceptance, legal liability, and cost. With the potential shift in responsibility from driver to automaker, rating factors for insurance may change, weighing more heavily on the model of the car as a factor. The fate of auto insurance is in …
Supplier Selection Criteria For Sustainable Supply Chains, Amy Terracciano
Supplier Selection Criteria For Sustainable Supply Chains, Amy Terracciano
Honors Projects in Management
In today’s global business environment, suppliers can have a significant impact on the buyer’s supply chain. Selecting the right supplier can be a critical decision for manufacturers and distributors, and to aid in the supplier selection decision making process a large number of selection criteria have been proposed in the literature. Supplier selection criteria have traditionally focused on metrics that impact the buyer’s costs. But due to increased business awareness of the importance of sustainability, supplier selection criteria have now come to include measures on environmental and social performance. While environmental metrics for supplier selection have received some attention in …
Black, Gold, And Green: Food Waste Management At Bryant University, Brooke Tomasetti
Black, Gold, And Green: Food Waste Management At Bryant University, Brooke Tomasetti
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
The basis of this project is to examine the food waste management system at Bryant University, and to make feasible, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions for improving the system. An effective, sustainable food waste management system is an important achievement for the university in particular as Rhode Island’s landfill is quickly reaching its capacity. The study focuses on analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the university’s current solution of sending the waste to a local pig farmer versus alternative options such as composting the waste. Research methods include surveying local food recycling and composting experts and key stakeholders, a numeric ranking …
Enhancing Coastal Resilience: Perspectives On Valuing Ri Coastal Lands, Kyle Nyskohus
Enhancing Coastal Resilience: Perspectives On Valuing Ri Coastal Lands, Kyle Nyskohus
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
This paper discusses coastal resilience as an organizing framework for future policymaking, coastal planning, and insurance decisions, and explores the different perspectives of the value of ecosystems held by various stakeholders in Rhode Island’s coastal communities. A grounded theory approach was used in an effort to abstract general insights from the substantive but isolated areas of coastal management and economics. Special attention is given to the perspectives of municipal decision makers, the National Flood Insurance Program, natural economists, and real estate developers. We have (1) conducted a statistical analysis of environmental spending of RI towns, (2) identified key models for …
Effectiveness Of Agency And Non-Government Organizational Efforts In Rhode Island Environmental Conservation, Kaitlin Goldsmith
Effectiveness Of Agency And Non-Government Organizational Efforts In Rhode Island Environmental Conservation, Kaitlin Goldsmith
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
The effectiveness of woodland conservation in Rhode Island is increasingly important as economic development pressures sacrifice critical forestland for commercial, residential and infrastructure purposes. This study looks to determine components of forest conservation practices that could be better suited to best protect this important land. Through the content analysis of interviews and citizen surveys, the most critical areas in need of improved efforts were revealed. It was discovered that the various lenses used by entities prevented the most beneficial cooperative efforts and further sharing of limited resources would increase efficiency. Additionally, educational efforts are limited and too often performed by …
A Green Endeavor; The Role Of Bryant University’S Faculty On An Environmentally Responsible Campus, Justine M. Boucher
A Green Endeavor; The Role Of Bryant University’S Faculty On An Environmentally Responsible Campus, Justine M. Boucher
Honors Projects in Science and Technology
This thesis researches and analyzes Bryant University faculty practices and motivations with regards to consumption and recycling paper. The project incorporated survey instrumentation to gather quantitative data on which to base conclusions. In addition, paper usage was directly observed, along with analysis of faculty feedback to an online survey. A marketing campaign addressed faculty practices and encouraged faculty reduction of paper. Results show that paper recycling in the targeted faculty suite increased slightly in the short-term following the marketing campaign, either through heightened awareness or seasonal office disposal; however, measurement over a greater span of time with sustained marketing might …