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Department of Religious Studies

Faculty of Social Sciences

Project co-lead Alicia Giannetti (centre, seated) with project collaborators (L. to R.): Chris Roberts, Lori Diamond, Adam Chiavarelle, Fiona McGill, Kate Whalen, and Carlos Figueira. (Not pictured: Exchange student and project co-lead Amber van Druten.)

Helping to change human habits

Alicia Giannetti, a recent grad with a double honours degree in sociology and religious studies and a minor in sustainability, has been awarded a Climate Change and Health – Innovation Award.

Sep 07, 2018

Imagine working on a great class project that helps the environment – and then winning a $5,000 award for your work. That’s what happened to Alicia Giannetti (a recent grad with a double honours degree in sociology and religious studies, and a minor in sustainability ) and Amber van Druten.

Last fall, they enrolled in SUSTAIN 3S03 Implementing Sustainable Change, a third-year undergraduate course open to students across all Faculties at McMaster. Sixty per cent of the course grade is an experiential project. Separately, Giannetti and van Druten chose “food waste” from among the broad topics offered, so they were paired as a team.

When they sat down to brainstorm where to focus their project, Amber noticed Alicia carefully repacking her banana peel and apple core to take home. When Alicia explained there was no place to compost that waste, their idea was born.

For three months, the two students conducted extensive research – including experimenting with signage and even sitting by their compost bin to see if it was being used...

Read the full story on the Daily News.