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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

SDG 6 – Clean Water & Sanitation

  • Assignment 2: Flow

    Please write 250-500 words (total) on the following questions.

    1. Please describe one segment of or image from the film Flow that you found powerful. What message did you get from it?
    2. Please critically reflect on the message in your own terms. Did you see connections with readings we have done so far on global justice, food security, food sovereignty, the social meaning of food/water, capitalism, labor justice?
    3. If you were to teach someone something you learned from the film, what would you tell them?
    Read more: Assignment 2: Flow

  • Partnerships/Enterprises

    Third Reflection
    Subject: Waste Management Partnership / Enterprise / Actor

    The third paper is a chance to select either a:

    • Specific actor (for example: Waste Management, Save that Stuff, Wecyclers, Sanergy, Enevo, etc.)
    • Specific partnership (for example: Casella and the City of Cambridge)
    Read more: Partnerships/Enterprises

  • Material Stream

    Second Reflection
    Subject: Difficult Waste Streams

    The goal of this paper is to explore a difficult waste stream by either looking at it through: A specific waste stream and the types of processes / disposal that can be used or evaluating a case study on how a difficult waste stream is disposed in an area.

    Difficult wastes are those which can be harmful to human health or the environment, or where the physical properties of the wastes can create serious handling problems.

    Read more: Material Stream

  • Waste Technology

    First Reflection
    Subject: Waste Management Technology

    Use this reflection to explore a waste management technology with one of three lenses:

    1. Technologies for a specific material stream – Choose one material and examine the technologies used to process / treat that material
    2. Technology Case Study – Choose three areas (cities, communities, government jurisdiction) and compare the technologies used in the three areas
    3. Specific Technology – Explore a technology in depth, its application, scale of use and considerations for purchase and implementation (like cost, size, etc.)
    Read more: Waste Technology

  • WASH Term Project

    The main deliverable for the semester is a term project which includes a project proposal, a final class presentation, and participation in the D-Lab Showcase. Guidance on content, structure, etc. of the term project will be provided in class and on the course site. You can select an individual or a team project. For those working in teams, each team member must identify a specific area for which they are responsible and their specific contribution to the overall team. The term project may be done on the same topic as your WASH Tutorial, or it may be a separate topic.

    Read more: WASH Term Project

  • WASH Tutorial

    Students, individually, or in groups of two or three, will sign up for and give a 15-minute WASH tutorial to the class on a selected water/sanitation/hygiene topic. Your topic can be on any subject within the field of water, sanitation, hygiene, or environment. Some may focus on specific technologies, while others will do demonstrations, skills training, or share success stories of case studies, designs, policies, plans, or engineered solutions.

    Read more: WASH Tutorial

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified? 
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.