A look at AM5009: Life of Ubiquitous Materials
The email introducing AM5009: Life of Ubiquitous Materials—From Science to Behaviour in July last yearpromised a unique insight into the concepts of sustainability through the lens of material use and waste generation. The course, which ran for the first time last semester, took a hands-on, project-driven approach, using the IIT Madras campus as a case study for real-world applications.“It was pleasantly surprising and deeply satisfying to work on institute-related projects that could positively impact the campus,” mentioned a student, echoing the sentiments of many in the cohort.
“We wanted to make the course contemporary,” explained Prof. Ganga Prasath, who taught the course along with Prof. Lakshminath Kundanati. In addition to using Materials and the Environment by Michael Ashby as the foundation, the course also included data from the British Geological Survey, the LCA report of the eco-friendly phone Fairphone, IPCC reports, and Our World in Data, among others.
A key challenge in designing AM5009 was the necessity to integrate its three components: materials, energy, and behavior. With an interdisciplinary cohort, different students found different aspects of the course relevant. “The interdisciplinary collaboration significantly improved our approach,” noted one student, highlighting the diverse academic backgrounds within the team, which included Master’s students from Mechanical and Civil Engineering, along with an undergraduate from Biotechnology.
Their project focused on developing a Campus Waste Map – an interactive tool designed to systematically identify, monitor, and manage waste generation and disposal at IIT Madras. The map would aim to provide a detailed overview of waste sources, collection points, and disposal sites, offering a data-driven approach to improving campus waste management. Some hostels in IIT Madras segregate waste, but much of the waste generated across campus goes unsegregated, decimating the potential for recycling. Even when waste segregation is implemented, a lack of clarity surrounding the different colour-coded bins leads to mixed waste generation. Adopting the suggestion to segregate waste at the source with clearer signage could vastly improve recyclability and reduce the impact of waste generation.
One group identified the lack of an efficient system for exchanging used items, leading to unnecessary waste, and outlined a platform connecting outgoing and incoming IITM students to reuse and reduce waste. A third team studied campus attitudes toward sustainability through surveys and events. Their ‘Plastics, Waste & Litter – Campus Insights’ survey highlighted key waste disposal concerns. They fostered eco-friendly habits through interactive initiatives like clean-up drives, nature walks, and Eco-Ganesha workshops. The fourth team delved into the flow of packaging materials across the IIT Madras campus, analyzing them in three primary zones: Residential, Hostel, and Academic, and conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate their environmental impact.
Insights from the projects were varied, providing a deeper understanding of different aspects of waste generation, disposal, and processing on campus. Nearly a thousand kilograms of waste are generated every day, which are then segregated by workers into 18 different types. While sensitive waste is handled by state agencies, food waste is typically repurposed for the gardens, and recyclable waste (constituting nearly half the overall waste) is sold on to vendors. By characterising the usage and disposal of different types of materials on campus, students were able to develop more sustainable alternatives and recommend behavioural changes to reduce the impact of waste on the environment.
…the creativity and dedication of the students were truly impressive. Their projects are a testament to the potential of interdisciplinary learning.
Prof. Ganga Prasath
A standout recommendation was adopting bagasse for food packaging on campus. Surveys revealed that most students perceived the primary source of waste on campus to be the campus cafes and dining areas, which typically use plastic-based packaging for food. LCA assessments for bagasse were promising — not only was it biodegradable and heat-resistant, but was also ideal for hostel food delivery and takeaway dining. The team suggested replacing PET-coated paper cups at tea and coffee outlets with bagasse-based options. For aluminum foil waste, they proposed partnering with local recyclers to create a circular economy model.
Replacing disposable materials with more sustainable single-use options was an alternate approach to the waste problem. Other approaches included encouraging the use of reusable steel utensils, through promotional material targeting behavioural changes. The need to adopt all three aspects of the reduce-reuse-recycle waste management hierarchy was evidenced by the different projects with their different focuses, which nevertheless collectively offered insights into an existing issue. Prof. Ganga Prasath remarked, “It may seem like a truism, but the creativity and dedication of the students were truly impressive. Their projects are a testament to the potential of interdisciplinary learning.”
In a world where universities around the globe are strategizing to offset the colossal carbon footprints left by corporations and fossil fuel dependence, we have our own personal responsibilities to contribute to the cause. At IIT Madras, our role lies in what we create—a culture rooted in sustainability, shaped by diverse courses that empower students to transform ideas into impactful projects.
The inaugural run of AM5009 was a testament to this ethos. With projects spanning the mapping campus waste, analyzing packaging flows, and building a platform for reuse, the course served as the first push toward a more sustainable future for the institute. As one professor aptly put it, “Our job was just to nudge them; the rest was their collective commitment to making a difference.” The true victory lies in fostering a culture where sustainability is more than a buzzword; evolving into a way of life. After all, at IIT Madras, the journey toward a greener future begins on campus and extends far beyond.
