In the sustainable materials and technology (SMT) program, students develop hands-on skills to tackle environmental challenges, including waste reduction and material reuse. One critical focus is recycling thermoplastics, which are plastics that can be melted and remolded into new products—offering a sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods.
At NC State’s Hodges Wood Products Lab, home to the SMT program, Dr. Daniel Saloni leads the Sustainable Manufacturing Lab, where undergraduate researchers explore innovative ways to recycle plastics. Dr. Saloni has previously collaborated with recent graduate, Bella McInnes, as well as current junior, Catherine Kirch, to tackle projects focused on enhancing plastics recycling on campus. Bella and Catherine competed in the Make-a-Thon competition in Spring 2024, where they came up with the idea of recycling both…
