Material Flow Analysis

Beginning in the fall of 2016, through a partnership with the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, MITOS teamed up with a MIT PhD student from the Engineering Systems Division and relevant operational departments to develop a campus-based material flow analysis that maps the universe of MIT material goods and their flows from procurement through disposal.

Components of this study currently include procurement spend analysis, campus disposal pathway studies, lablet studies of campus behavior, class research on material substitution and re-use options, campus waste audits to inform building renovations and new construction, and vendor engagement and screening tools. This collective materials flow analyses will provide MIT with the data and key findings needed for optimizing material flows via changes in purchasing and disposal processes, policies, vendor management and material selection.

Partners

Project partners include: Office of Procurement, Office of Materials Management and Recycling, Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Environmental Solutions Initiative.

Material Flow Analysis

Beginning in the fall of 2016, through a partnership with the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, the MIT Office of Sustainability (MITOS) teamed up with MIT Ph.D student (and current MITOS Student Fellow) Rachel Perlman, from the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, as well as relevant operational departments. The goal of the project is to develop a campus-based material flow analysis that maps the universe of MIT material goods and their flows from procurement through disposal.

Components of this study will include procurement spend analysis, campus disposal pathway studies, class research on material substitution and re-use options, campus waste audits to inform building renovations and new construction, and vendor engagement and screening tools. This collective materials flow analyses will provide MIT with the data and key findings needed for optimizing material flows.

Partners

Project partners include:

Office of the Vice President for Finance

Recycling and Materials Management Program

Office of Environment, Health and Safety

Environmental Solutions Initiative