COMPETITION AND 2024 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The SWDC is a student team competition to solve “real world” problems faced by solid waste professionals. The competition aims at providing design experience to the students interested in pursuing an education and/or career in solid waste management. The program encourages student involvement in SWANA, provides students real world experience in solving complex solid waste management issues in a supportive and fun environment, provides students an opportunity to display their talents, and provides a networking opportunity for students to connect with potential employers.

For the 2024 competition, teams were asked to assume the role of a plastic waste task force for their state tasked with developing a 10-yr plan for reducing plastic waste across their state. The plan was bound by a predetermined annual budget and was to include both measurable and attainable goals for plastic waste reduction. The plan also had to consider use of technologies and community-based programs to achieve the goals as well as propose local government rules and regulations to achieve the goals.

JSU TEAM CONCEPT

JSU is the first and only MS university to participate in the national competition, and for their 3rd year participating, the team consisted of graduate research students and MS SWANA student members Fariha Rahman (team lead) and Audrika Nahian as well as A.Q.M. Zohuruzzaman and Md Fahimuzzaman Khan with advising faculty Associate Professor Mohammad Sadik Khan, Ph.D, P.E. within the Civil and Environmental Engineering Programs. The team produced a 4-phase plan beginning with action plans focused on local recyclable collection infrastructure and policy advocacy. The plan also proposed utilization of chemical and mechanical recycling facilities to diversify recycled plastic products markets, improve circularity, and minimize the state’s environmental footprint. The plan further proposed community training from developing in-class educational resources to local community awareness and participation to state-level outreach and education.

On behalf of the Chapter Board of Directors and our proud Chapter members and associates, congratulations to Dr. Khan and each of the JSU student participants on their hard work, performance, and recognition. We again are looking forward to hearing about this competition experience at the upcoming 2024 Fall MS SWANA Conference. The Board also congratulates the other teams for their participation and efforts and particularly the top 3 finalists from the University of British Columbia, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Florida.