The Battelle Engineering, Technology and Human Affairs (BETHA) Endowment annual grant competition supports projects that examine the complex relationship between science and technology on society and cultural issues. Ohio State Design faculty William Nickley and Amanda Huynh and their Local Loops project were among five projects selected for the 2025 award cycle.

Local Loops: Designing Durable Circular Economies from Waste to Community Impact in Central Ohio

The "Local Loops" project addresses plastic waste from 3D printing and post-consumer plastics through a community-driven circular economy initiative in Central Ohio. Spearheaded by two Ohio State Design faculty and Ohio State's Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME), and in collaboration with Marble Plastics and the Neighborhood Design Center, the project will upcycle plastic waste into meaningful community products, such as benches and artwork, through design processes involving youth, students, and existing community-based initiatives. Expected outcomes include educational and community-engaged initiatives and model for improving local circular economy practices. The project will engage local communities, manufacturers, and students, fostering sustainability, environmental stewardship, and local empowerment.