Objectives and Outcomes
Where Waste Sparks Creativity and Every Piece Tells a Story
Within the timeline of this grant, the initiative aims to demonstrate the transformative potential of turning waste—specifically plastic trash—into sustainable building materials. These materials will be used to construct functional spaces such as homes, shelters, and urban gardens designed specifically to serve individuals experiencing homelessness. The concept focuses not just on environmental sustainability, but also on providing long-term social impact by addressing housing insecurity and food scarcity.
The project will engage four interdisciplinary student assistants, each representing a different academic discipline: Civil Engineering and Construction Management, Interior Design, Nutrition, and Sustainability. This diverse team of students will collaborate to design and construct a fully functional model structure using innovative building materials made from recycled plastic. Their work will be guided and overseen by faculty advisors from each of their respective departments to ensure academic rigor and real-world applicability.
Before construction begins, the student team will conduct comprehensive research and analysis of existing recycled plastic construction materials. Among the materials to be evaluated are eco-friendly building blocks produced by Conceptos Plasticos and ByFusion, two companies known for pioneering sustainable construction solutions. The analysis will compare these materials across multiple criteria, including cost-effectiveness, structural integrity, design adaptability, and environmental impact. This evaluation phase will not only inform the selection of materials for the model structure but will also serve as a valuable resource for broader educational and advocacy efforts.
The students will share their findings at the Marilyn Magaram Center’s Public Policy Day 2023, a prominent annual event hosted on campus. This event brings together students, faculty, policymakers, and community members to discuss pressing issues in health, sustainability, and public policy. The presentation will highlight the project’s potential as a model for policy-driven, community-focused innovation and advocacy. By participating, the students hope to inspire others to take part in local and national conversations about homelessness, environmental justice, and sustainable urban development.
In addition to the construction and presentation aspects, the student assistants will investigate current housing initiatives offered by Los Angeles County, identifying gaps and exploring how this project could complement or enhance existing solutions. As a key deliverable, the team will develop and distribute an informational packet summarizing their research, the construction process, and the potential benefits of their solution. This packet will be sent to local city council members, with the intention of initiating partnerships with public agencies and securing future support.
Ultimately, the long-term vision of “Trash to Treasure” is to scale this solution by forging alliances with public institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. By reimagining waste materials as valuable construction resources, the project not only diverts trash from landfills and oceans but also creates pathways for employment, skills training, and community revitalization. In doing so, it proposes a bold and hopeful strategy to address two major societal crises—homelessness and environmental degradation.
“Trash to Treasure: Fighting Homelessness and Hunger” envisions a future where discarded materials and displaced people are no longer seen as problems to be managed, but as opportunities for renewal and resilience. By creating shelter, promoting nutrition through food-growing spaces, and offering sustainable employment, this initiative represents a holistic and human-centered approach to building stronger, more compassionate communities.
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