Campus as a Living Laboratory Archive
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The Ohio State University's Campus as a Living Laboratory (CALL) program seeks to unite campus operations with academics to ensure the success of meeting Ohio State’s sustainability goals. CALL is coordinated by Energy Services and Sustainability (ESS) in collaboration with the Office of Energy and Environment (OEE). CALL's objective is to bring together faculty and staff to work collaboratively with students on developing and implementing projects that use the campus as a living laboratory to address real world sustainability challenges.
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Item Addressing Food Insecurity at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital(2024-12) Bell, Javen; Fraley, Allyson; Hricovec, Mallory; Serrata, Charina; Wininger, Audrey; Jaquet, TimOur team collaborated with OhioHealth to address food insecurity at Doctors Hospital Community Care Clinic. By reviewing existing programs, conducting interviews, and surveying patients, we identified barriers to the current approach and explored alternative solutions. We recommended implementing an on-site food assistance program to provide patients with same-day access to food, ensuring a more effective and sustainable strategy.Item Identifying Water Hotspots in the Bansk Beauty Supply Chain(2024-12) Yalamanchi, Revanth; Sandstrom, Sarah; Laws, Allison; Penland, Grayson; Lattea, Ian; Judson, Sarah; Tubaugh, Kaitlyn; Jaquet, Tim; Hitzhusen, GregoryBansk Beauty, the owner of hair-care brands Eva NYC, Ethique, and Amika, is dedicated to leading the industry in sustainability. As Certified B Corporations, these brands are evaluated on both environmental and social impacts. This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of Bansk Beauty's water use along its product supply chains, focusing on Eva NYC’s H2Whoa! Shampoo and Ethique’s Heali Kiwi Shampoo bar. To identify water use hot spots, we performed the research in three phases: conducting a literature review to calculate each ingredient's water footprint, integrating these findings with manufacturing water use data, and assessing water risk based on the geographic locations of ingredient sourcing. To convey the results effectively, visualizations were created using Power BI and Geographic Information Systems (QGIS). Our research revealed that the majority of water use is embedded in the ingredients. Water use from the manufacturing phase was found to be negligible. We identified key ingredients in the Heali Kiwi Shampoo bar with the highest water footprint and found that multiple are sourced from regions facing medium-to-high drought risk. This may pose long-term environmental and operational risks. These findings highlight the importance of ingredients and sourcing to Bansk Beauty’s overall water footprint. This preliminary analysis provides Bansk Beauty with valuable opportunities for future work en route to reducing its global water resource impact and reinforcing its commitment to sustainability. Small portions of the report are redacted to protect proprietary company information.Item Franklin County Food Hub(2024-12) Cosentino, Peter; Gleason, Quinn; Lasda, Jamie; Kutnow, Ana; Soni, Aayushi; Wolfkiel, Lauren; Jaquet, TimLocal farmers in Franklin County, Ohio struggle to gain access to larger markets, such as grocery stores or institutional customers, as they usually require more certifications, licenses, and produce quantity than what smaller local farmers can provide. This excludes farmers from accessing a significant portion of the market. The few remaining sale venues available to growers are farmers' markets, festivals, and other events. At these events, farmers must individually take on costs associated with the aggregation, preparation, and transportation of their produce. This further raises operating costs for growers and therefore prices for consumers. By collectivizing these services, a food hub will provide time and cost savings for local growers through benefits associated with economies of scale. The Franklin County Food Hub project aimed to advance and inform the operational design of a food hub to provide partners with relevant tools to pursue project funding. To achieve this, the team completed high-level research on existing food hub operations and interviews with relevant local stakeholders. Guided by a framework of four key operational pillars (Partners, Process, Profitability, and Purpose), these analyses informed the team’s recommendations for the Franklin County Food Hub. Recommendations included prioritizing the voices of farmers, considering employees, transportation, focusing on cataloging existing assets, and building collaboration by ensuring community involvement. If the needs of farmers, the community, and the local food economy can be bridged, a successful pillar of a resilient food system will be created.Item ALDI Sustainable Landscaping Solutions(2024-12) Conrad, Jack; Friend, Klaine; Ferencz, Ryan; Maghes, Megan; Mascia, Austin; Woods, Michael; Hitzhusen, GregoryThis project focused on creating recommendations for ALDI to implement sustainable landscaping in pilot locations. Our approach included research, interviews with specialized landscapers and academic experts, and data analysis. These methods provided insights into using native plants, supporting pollinator habitats, and reducing chemical inputs. Our findings suggest that ALDI can enhance biodiversity and reduce water and chemical inputs by implementing sustainable practices including using native plants, implementing educational signage, fostering community collaboration, and monitoring impacts.Item Sustain-a-Claims: Elevating Sustainable Marketing Strategies for amika(2024-12) Andreeva, Christine; Bruggeman, Nick; Capka, Lexi; Ely, Sidney; Hoskin, Molly; Mitchell, Karissa; Hitzhusen, Gregoryamika is a haircare brand committed to enhancing sustainability through clean ingredients, friend to all philosophy and refillable packaging program. In the fall of 2024, amika partnered with EEDS (Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability) capstone students to enhance amika’s visibility and communication of sustainable efforts to their consumers. This project included three objectives: the development of a peer survey on sustainable marketing claims, an analysis of amika’s existing impact landing page, and an analysis of competitor brands’ social media, sustainability initiatives, and impact page designs. The peer survey provided valuable insight as to how students at The Ohio State University's Columbus campus interpret sustainability marketing claims, including which claims make consumers more likely to pay for a product. This study conducted a thorough review of competitor brands’ social media platforms and existing sustainability communications that revealed amika is an industry leading sustainability brand. Some suggestions were crafted based on other B-Corporation Certified impact pages and the feedback garnered from the peer survey. These insights will help amika restructure their marketing efforts to reach a wider Gen Z audience and ensure their Impact Landing Page effectively communicates sustainability initiatives. To better integrate sustainability into the brand’s marketing, amika should combine product sustainability claims with ingredient and product efficacy information to highlight sustainability alongside the functionality of products. Additionally, creating claim banners on the product website pages to frontload sustainability information to consumers could enhance awareness for consumers. These recommendations will lead amika into the next phase of its marketing strategy, ensuring that “Sustain-a-Claims” becomes a core aspect of the brand's connection to consumers.Item Community Attitudes and Reactions Towards Proposed Deer Management Strategies in Worthington, Ohio(2024-12) Emmett, Janelle; Jackman, Nicole; Musser, Jack; Palechka, Leah; Shuey, Makayla; Thip, Chantrea; Hitzhusen, GregoryThe Worthington Deer Task Force is a specialized committee in the City of Worthington, Ohio that works to address resident concerns about the increasing deer population in the community. In the fall of 2024, the Task Force tasked senior capstone students at The Ohio State University with creating a survey with the goal of educating Worthington residents on viable deer management options and to capture residents’ opinions on deer management strategies. The survey presented residents with four viable deer management options: a targeted removal program, an archery hunting program, a combination program of targeted removal and archery hunting, or no action. Infographics that contained information on the viability of nonlethal measures, targeted removal programs, and archery hunting programs were created and embedded within the survey to educate and inform respondents. The survey received a total of 2,825 responses which were then analyzed to create an informed recommendation for the Task Force. Each of the lethal deer management strategies considered alone received support from at least 60% of respondents. When asked which option they most supported, the combination strategy had the highest support with 47% of respondents in favor. Based on our results, we recommend that the Task Force consider proposing a combination of targeted removal and an archery hunting program to the City Council. It is also recommended that the Task Force emphasize the importance of transparency regarding these issues and pursue continuous education efforts.Item Petrochemical Removal Assessment for Eva NYC and Ulta Beauty(2024-05) Matthews, Clare; Danielovich, Devon; Sheppard, Ella; Lawrence, Abby; Mishra, Shreya; Rigdon, Anna; Dudley, Eliza; Hitzhusen, Greg; Braine, BruceEva NYC is a beauty brand committed to advancing sustainability in its industry through innovative strategies that encompass recycling, clean ingredients, carbon-neutral energy, and partnerships for change. Notably, Eva NYC was named the Ulta Conscious Beauty Brand of the Year in 2023, highlighting shared values and investment into sustainability. Ulta Beauty partnered with Eva NYC to determine how HFC-152 phaseout legislation in the European Union and regulation in the United States would impact aerosol use in beauty products such as hairspray, dry shampoo, and heat protectant. The following report contains a comprehensive overview of environmental legislation and regulations as they impact the beauty industry, the health impacts of products used daily, emerging methods for measuring use phase emissions (Scope 4 emissions), potential alternative propellants resulting from regulatory compliance, and their impacts on human health and the environment. Given the findings, we recommend that Eva NYC and Ulta Beauty: 1. Enhance ingredient transparency when indicating chemical use in products 2. Invest in research and development toward the scalability of nitrogen use in the beauty industry as an alternative to other compressed gases 3. With the phase-out of hydrofluorocarbon-152a (HFC-152a), adopt nitrogen as an alternative propellant in combination with the transition to the Eco-ValveItem Evaluating Environmental, Economic, and Social Impacts of BioResin Derivatives for Amika, Eva NYC, and Ethique Product Packaging(2024-05) Zimmerman, Arrie; Brady, Aidan; Chaykowski, Nathan; Floyd, Sydney; Gould, Logan; Huhn, Noah; Tyk, Eric; Wilson-Woodrow, Elliot; Hitzhusen, Greg; Braine, BruceThe report conducted by a 2024 EEDS Capstone Team explores the sustainability of BioResin derivatives as alternatives to current packaging materials used by amika. Analyzing the environmental, economic, and social impacts of corn, seaweed, sugarcane, and bamboo derivatives during the cultivation phase, the study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. Key data sources include a life cycle analysis conducted with Amika's COMPASS database, which quantitatively estimates the environmental impacts, and qualitative assessments of biodiversity, ecological footprint, cost efficiency, community impacts, and more. The report concludes that seaweed represents the most viable BioResin alternative given its lesser environmental impact, bright economic future, and positive social implications. Recommendations for future research and considerations for market trends and policy environments are also discussed, emphasizing the dynamic nature of ESG material assessments.Item Subjective Well-Being in Ohio Survey Study(2024-05) Addington, Kennedy; Ali, Maryamo; Ayub, Hifsah; Bransteter, Alex; Choi, Hwiseo; Koskela, Mattison; Wolf, Kelsey; Bergmann, Andrew; Hitzhusen, Gregory; Braine, BruceThe "Subjective Well-Being in Ohio Survey Study" aimed to assess self-reported well-being across Ohio's 88 counties, utilizing a survey methodology modeled after the US Happiness Report. Despite limitations in sample representation, the study gathered 667 responses from 71 counties, revealing insights into happiness trends and correlations. Key findings included a positive relationship between age and happiness, as well as happiness and perceived worthwhileness, contrasted by a negative correlation between anxiety and happiness. Themes of Relationships and Social Connections, Health and Well-being, and Creativity and Hobbies emerged prominently from qualitative analysis. Recommendations for future studies emphasize securing grant funding for random sampling methodology to ensure representative data collection, expanding survey questions to encompass broader indicators of well-being, and fostering partnerships with institutions like Ohio State University Extension for wider survey distribution. Enhanced methodologies will facilitate more robust insights for informing policy and decision-making in Ohio regarding subjective well-being.Item Recommendations for The City of Worthington Based on Results from a Residential Opinion Survey on Deer Populations and Potential Management Strategies(2024-05) Hammond, Maya; Harris, Jamie; Kim, Kyeongjae; Pethrick, Darby; Poorman, Emma; Williams, Nicholas; Hitzhusen, GregoryIn 2023, the City of Worthington, Ohio established the Worthington Deer Task Force in response to resident complaints regarding the unmanaged deer population. Subsequently, senior capstone students at The Ohio State University were tasked with constructing a survey to provide the task force and city leadership insight into resident opinions on deer presence and potential management strategies. The survey was deployed to residents through social media, mailers, and in-person events. A total of 3,895 responses were analyzed to create an informed recommendation for appropriate city action. Respondents expressed a general desire to see the deer population decrease (71.0%), but there were divisions in support for the two proposed lethal management options of professional markspeople or an archery program. It is recommended that the City of Worthington works to identify effective, less polarizing management options while simultaneously developing an education campaign to inform residents of the details of potential management strategies.Item Olentangy River Activation(2024-05) Bright, Abby; Carson, Jane; Horton, Delaney; Kerver, Jack; McKalip, Elana; Novotny, Jenna; Russ, Ben; Sineway, Ryan; Hitzhusen, Gregory; Braine, Bruce; Bergmann, Andrew; DeBusk, EstherOur project is rooted in the acknowledgment of the Olentangy River as a natural treasure that courses through Columbus and alongside Ohio State University (OSU). Furthermore, the OSU Olentangy Riverfront, stretching from West Lane to 12th Avenue, is an area with immense, yet untapped potential for the university in terms of community, recreation, and environment. Throughout the history of the Olentangy River, there have been many changes to its structure and surroundings to increase the well-being of the citizens of Columbus. However, while the downtown areas have experienced development that has significantly increased the aesthetics, health, and therefore community engagement alongside the Olentangy River, there has been a lack of development north of the city, specifically on the campus of Ohio State University. Our team is attempting to help solve the lack of access and opportunities that are currently presented on the riverfront of the Olentangy. Therefore, we investigated three key factors to elevate the OSU Olentangy Riverfront: recreation, community, and environment. Our team then utilized case studies from other riverfront areas in order to determine trends and recommendations that are both applicable and realistic for implementation by Ohio State University.Item Economic Analysis of ODRC Solar Field Construction(2024-05) Fletcher, Noah; Gilliland, Drew; Green, Olivia; Hasan, Daniel; Pendill, Megan; Perry, Sawyer; Wolf, Micah; Hitzhusen, Greg; Braine, BruceThis report details research and comparative economic analysis on constructing a photovoltaic solar field at Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correctional (ODRC) facilities. The report contains a detailed preliminary screening process to establish which facilities are feasible for solar field implementation and construction. This includes the determination of investment tax credit eligibility, electricity consumption analysis, the use and results of photovoltaic modeling software, the use of Geographic Information Systems data to determine land availability and detailed research on current net metering regulations in Ohio. A financial model was developed to determine the capital and annual costs of photovoltaics to estimate the projected future cash flows at each facility. Net present value analysis was conducted to analyze the future cash flows of each facility to determine the ideal fit for a commercial-scale solar field.Item Water Access Point Design Considerations: Guidelines for Sustainable Non-Motorized Watercraft Launch Points within the Central Ohio Blueways(2023-12) Fischer, Ethan; Miller, Kylie; Patel, Rishi; Rubadue, Sarah; Wainstein, Danny; Hitzhusen, Greg; Jaquet, TimDue to the expectation that ongoing development within Central Ohio will lead to the increased usage of its five main rivers (Big Darby Creek, Big Walnut Creek, Alum Creek, Scioto River, and Olentangy River), the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission tasked our group with creating guidelines for the sustainable development of both existing and prospective non-motorized watercraft river access points. Based on broad environmental categories (or "typologies"), we developed guidelines for the parking lots, trails, and the launch points themselves. In addition, our guidelines set general recommendations for all features, along with siting considerations for future access points along the rivers.Item Marketing Sustainability to Amika, Eva NYC, and Ethique Consumers(2023-12) Austing, Elizabeth; Hofmans-Currie, Sally; Hale, Devon; Jaworski, Grace; Liang, Sarah; Jaquet, Tim; Hitzhusen, GregAmika, Eva NYC, and Ethique have notable ESG strategies and sustainability certifications. The brands want to convey the importance of these efforts to their consumers. This involves communicating the brands ESG strategies, sustainability certifications, and values in a way that is approachable and engaging to their consumers. The aim of this project is to provide realistic recommendations to the brands' on how to convey their sustainability achievements, certifications, and ESG strategies with consideration for individual brand identity and consumer platforms.Item Decarbonization Plan for COTA's McKinley and Fields Bus Garages(2023-12) Steinman, Gavi; Gele, Cureeji; Miller, Aidan; Rosado, Sophia; Slane, Taeson; Jaquet, TimThe goal of this project is to develop a plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions in both of the Central Ohio Transit Authority's (COTA) McKinley and Fields bus facilities by providing machinery replacements for current gas-fired systems. The overarching goals of this project are threefold. Our first objective was to evaluate the current gas-powered equipment and systems at COTA's McKinley and Fields garages This was completed by identifying all gas-fired equipment and gathering important data on them such as energy consumption and thermal efficiency. Secondly, the project aimed to identify alternatives to replace the current equipment with lower environmental impacts. Thirdly, the project focused on analyzing the emission savings associated with these replacements.Item Recommendations for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction on Transitioning to an Electric Vehicle Fleet(2023-12) Canning, Ana; Lampert, Kate; McNeal, Briana; Nemeth, Charlie; Thornton, Will; Jaquet, TimThe Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) has a sustainability goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 30% by fiscal year 2026. Meanwhile, all ODRC institutions have perimeter vehicles running 24/7 for safety and security, which generates a significant amount of carbon emissions. This project is an analysis of gas vs electric vehicles (EVs) for the perimeter vehicle fleets at four ODRC locations. The final report analyzes EV perimeter vehicle options, payback periods, and the carbon footprint reduction potential from replacing ODRC's current gas-powered perimeter vehicles with EVs.Item Ohio Human Development Index(2023-12) Dulaney, Braven; Gasca, Maxly; Musser, Bobby; Sheets, Cara; Williams, Mimi; Hitzhusen, GregThis report aims to measure the overall development of Ohio through the use of the Human Development Index (HDI) for Scioto Analysis, an economics and policy analysis company. This report both compares Ohio HDI values to other states in the United States, as well as calculates and compares HDI values of all 88 counties in Ohio from the years 2019 to 2021. It also analyzes differences between demographics in the three components of the Human Development Index. It also analyzes the three components of HDI (education, health, and income) and measures how they have changed throughout Ohio over time, showing where Ohio may be falling short or thriving in terms of human development. Human Development Index calculations for the 88 counties in Ohio were completed, and an interactive map of Ohio counties and their corresponding HDI values was also produced. Previous HDI calculations of the state of Ohio and the other 49 states from years 1990 to 2021 was analyzed, and another interactive map was generated through this analysis. Through the analysis of neighboring states, Ohio was found to have higher HDI values than nearby Appalachian states, and similar values to nearby Midwestern states, with Western states typically having higher HDI values than that of Ohio's. Counties in Southeastern Ohio were found to have lower HDI values than Ohio's average, and metropolitan counties were found to have higher HDI values than Ohio's average.Item Building a Sustainability Associate Engagement Strategy at Victoria's Secret & Co.(2023-12) Bunce, Allison; Clark, Lauren; Crotty, Piper; Culbertson, Mackayla; Stephens, Shea; Hitzhusen, Greg; Jaquet, TimThis project was completed in hopes to help enhance the corporate sustainability culture of Victoria Secret & Co(VS&Co). The team did this by developing a Sustainability Associate Engagement Strategy that engages and empowers associates at VS&Co to consider making more sustainable work decisions. This strategy included events and initiatives that were to begin in Earth Month(April 2024) and continued to be used by the company moving forward. They also had to be accessible in the home office(NYC & Columbus), distribution centers, and stores globally. The team researched success stories of multiple peer companies as well as conducting general research on sustainability associate engagement to frame the project. They also conducted a series of interviews, a focus group, and feedback sessions to gather input directly from associates and members of the ESG team at VS&Co. Based on the findings from this research, the team created three events and three initiatives. Each of these recommendations are extensively described within this report. The information in this report showcases the importance of connecting every employee of VS&Co to their impact on people and the planet.Item Sustainable Spaces on Campus: Reading Room and Solar House(2023-05) Call, Alayna; Contento, Myrah; Kraus, Sophie; McLoughlin, Brooke; Sullivan, Will; Wygant, Nicole; Braine, Bruce; Hitzhusen, GregoryThe goal of our project is to encourage the expansion of sustainable student spaces on Ohio State's Main Campus through two sub-projects. The first is to develop a sustainability based reading room on the third floor of Kottman hall. Kottman Hall is a hub for students in the School of Environment and Natural resources, the building director is looking to expand student spaces in Kottman. The second sub-project is to reinstate the use of the 2011 Solar Decathlon EnCORE house on Ohio State's West Campus. Our group is tasked with researching best uses for these spaces and creating recommendations for how to move forward in advancing the spaces.Item Reducing Residential Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the City of Bexley, Ohio(2023-05) Straub, Tabitha; Thiel, Abigail; Isaacs, Rachel; Huntsman, Jayden; Walker, Lauren; Chen, Savannah (Yuanyuan); Braine, Bruce; Hitzhusen, GregoryThe City of Bexley is in the process of creating a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2040. Our capstone group developed a set of actionable recommendations that the City can use to reduce GHG emissions specific to residences. We based our recommendations on best practices to reduce residential GHG emissions that may be applied in the City of Bexley. Our recommendations cover the focus areas of electricity consumption; stationary combustion; mobile combustion; and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI). We conducted online case study research on other cities' GHG emission reduction programs for each focus area. We then conducted informal interviews with cities of interest. Our recommendations describe different community education and engagement programs for each focus area that the City can use in determining residential GHG emission reduction strategies for its CAP.