In early 2023, undergraduate students Hannah Kim and Sakshi Vaya proposed Project Revert to Earth, with the aim to tackle food waste contamination in recycling streams on campus. Funded by the SSC, the research study aims to understand students' behavior toward recycling and how those behaviors would change if recycling became easier and more accessible.

The study will implement standardized labeling on recycling bins, with bins set aside for food waste. This is a practice common in many Asian countries (and other campuses!). The goal is to determine whether the separation of food waste reduces food contamination rates in recycling streams. Following the study, the students will determine whether a composting system should be pursued, to address the food waste.