Current Projects
Can Carrier Reuse
Can Carrier Reuse will work with local breweries to reduce plastic waste by promoting the recycling and reuse of can carriers. Since receiving the Sustainable Finger Lakes mini-grant, we plan to implement a functional can carrier reuse program in the Ithaca area, in collaboration with Greenstar, Hopshire Farm & Brewery, and Personal Best Brewing. Our team will conduct market research to identify participating breweries, track key performance indicators to measure sustainability impacts, and create a comprehensive communication system between local businesses and customers via Listserv. We will plan the program's logistics, such as determining drop-off locations and mapping out the participating breweries. Additionally, we will also explore funding opportunities through grants to support the program's long-term infrastructure.
Carbon Calculators
The Carbon Calculators team consists of undergraduate students who seek to analyze and reduce the carbon footprints of small to midsize businesses. Using extensive data and proprietary Excel-based emissions tools, we calculate CO2-equivalent emissions and advise on mitigation strategies. Carbon Calculator’s goal is to provide pro-bono environmental consulting services to small businesses who may not be able to pay for professional evaluations as they strive towards becoming Carbon Neutral. Currently, we are working with an environmental services startup, IndieClime, to provide expertise into emissions quantifications for small businesses. This semester, we will also be looking to work with local establishments in Ithaca, including Gimme Coffee! and Watershed.
Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program (STAMP)
The STAMP team is building a global knowledge base, online training, and research support to help destinations manage tourism assets with social and environmental considerations. One important function of the STAMP team is collecting testimonials and conducting interviews within Cornell's network on topics such as sustainable travel, digital platform development, and ESG metrics in tourism.
This semester, we are pivoting to the Tunisia platform and implementing automatic visualizations and unit standardization to improve comparability. We will refine tourism-specific emissions factors and tailor categories to common modes like taxis, ferries, rental cars, and group tours. We will also expand testing with a new dataset from Cold Springs, NY, and conduct market research with local stakeholders to validate usability. Additionally, we will continue researching ecosystem services and biodiversity dimensions.
Sustainable Beverage
The Sustainable Beverage team works to improve sustainability in breweries and wineries of the Finger Lakes region by providing individualized business progress strategies on best practices through industry-specific research. The team synthesized a comprehensive report detailing best practices and current trends regarding sustainability in the brewing industry.
Sustainable Beverage will work with a beverage company to develop its sustainability initiatives and market to its consumers. Once we have acquired a client, we will take a site visit to learn more about the business. From there, we conduct research on the areas requested by our clients and provide actionable recommendations. These suggestions can include certifications, marketing, renewable energy, waste management, and more. At the end of the semester, we will provide one final report to be presented to the client.
Sustainable Branding
The Sustainable Branding team is dedicated to amplifying the sustainability stories of environmentally conscious companies. By developing effective marketing, branding, and outreach strategies, the team helps businesses achieve their sustainability goals.
This semester, the Sustainable Branding team is continuing its collaboration with Earth Matters to support the national expansion of their climate change-themed board game. By leveraging past market research and analyzing existing campaign performance, the team will develop a strategic marketing and outreach plan aimed at reaching key target demographics. The goal is to amplify Earth Matters’ mission of promoting climate change education through engaging, educational tools, while helping them grow their impact and visibility across the country.
Sustainable Commerce
The Sustainable Commerce subteam works with the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce to provide local businesses with tailored sustainability recommendations. The team works on a range of different tasks from encouraging compliance with local, state, and federal initiatives to setting personalized KPIs, and sustainability roadmaps and working on issues our clients request of us.
This Semester, the team will work to improve client, Ithaca Farmers Market, and their Zero Waste Program by reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring its long-term viability. Members will also assist Ithaca Farmers Market with other goals of addressing the sustainability and financial implications of the parking lot and waterfront renovations.
Solid Waste Environmental Excellence Performance (SWEEP)
The SWEEP team works with LEED Green Building Rating System founder Rob Watson on a second standard for sustainable materials management: the Solid Waste Environmental Excellence Performance (SWEEP) standard. This standard enables institutions to achieve accreditation for exemplary solid waste management practices. The team develops calculators that help certifying entities achieve specific credits needed in the certification process (ex: fleet fuel-use efficiency) and analyzes current solid waste management practices at Cornell to inform the standard’s design.
This semester, members are working to develop the SWEEP Campus Standard, which may be adopted by campuses across the nation. Members are currently conducting a gap analysis to assess Cornell University's readiness for SWEEP Standard adoption and identifying key improvement areas that will facilitate its first university implementation.
Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy is a new sub-team this semester that will be partnering with Tompkins Green Energy Network (TGEN) as they enter the beginning steps of introducing a new Community Choice Aggregation energy system in Ithaca. TGEN, consisting of representatives from the Town of Ithaca, the City of Ithaca, and Local Power LLC, is now focusing on Community Outreach and Engagement in Ithaca, to properly inform residents of the new energy system, and encourage them to opt-in. This semester, CSC’s Renewable Energy Team will be taking part in this process by creating public-facing creative educational materials, designing the TGEN website, identifying and engaging with key stakeholders and organizations in the community, and conducting data analysis to measure the awareness and participation of Ithaca residents in the CCA program.