Project ISF-DUIRI: Evaluation of impacts of unsustainable e-waste disposal practices Program DUIRI - Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship Term Spring 2026 Status Accepted Research Area Global Sustainability Description Background: Due to the absence of a nationwide regulatory framework in the United States, only 23 states plus D.C. currently impose explicit landfill bans on electronic devices, and only 25 states regulate electronics recycling. The USA continues to contribute massive volumes of e-waste: in 2018 alone, U.S. consumers discarded approximately 2.7?million?tons of electronic products into the municipal solid waste stream. At the same time, landfilled e-waste poses urgent risks of leaching hazardous materials—such as lead, cadmium, mercury and other heavy metals— with a potential to contaminate groundwater, ecosystems, and finally impact human health. It is crucial to evaluate what materials leach from disposed electronics under variable landfill conditions. Understanding this leaching behavior is essential for informing safer disposal practices, refining regulatory frameworks, and unlocking resource recovery potential while mitigating environmental harm. Objective: The overall project aims at characterization of impacts of non-sustainable practices of disposal of small post-consumer electronic devices. The three specific objectives are 1) to establish kinetics of hazardous materials’ leaching, 2) develop an accelerated leaching procedure for the impact prediction purposes (modeling) in comparison to the realistic slow leaching conditions, and 3) using literature review, estimate of e-waste value for the circular economy. The undergraduate researcher is going to support research efforts towards characterization of e-waste leachate samples generated on the lab scale accounting for variations of redox conditions and temperature within a landfill cell, as well as for the nature of the media (synthetic rain water, landfill leachate). The student will learn sample preparation and handling techniques, operation the advanced lab equipment and instrumentation, statistical data analysis and safe laboratory practices. Additionally, the student will read and analyze relevant literature to contribute to compiling a knowledge data base. Alignment with SDGs: This research aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals. By characterizing the leaching kinetics of hazardous materials from discarded electronics, it advances SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) through effort towards prevention of human exposure to toxic substances that threaten environmental and public health. It supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by developing predictive tools to assess and mitigate contamination of water resources from electronic waste. Above all, it promotes SDG 9 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by providing scientific insights that encourage circular-economy practices, responsible disposal, and sustainable material recovery. Interdisciplinary nature: Dr. Nadya Zyaykina is a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering passionate about recuperation and valorization of resources from waste streams and industrial by-products. She has a research experience specifically working with landfill leachate and with e-waste, separately. The proposed research project intends to combine both waste streams. Dr. Inez Hua is a Professor in Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering with expertise in aquatic chemistry, water pollution control, and promoting environmental sustainability in engineering education. Dr. Alla Golub is a Lead Research Economist at the Center for Global Trade Analysis at the Department of Agricultural Economics with expertise in environmental policy modeling and analysis. The proposed research on leaching of toxic substances from improperly disposed electronic waste is inherently interdisciplinary because it integrates principles and methods from environmental chemistry, materials science, environmental engineering, toxicology and environmental policy. Supervisor Nadezhda N Zyaykina Mentor Type of work required We are seeking to engage an undergraduate researcher who is interested either in earning 3 research credits in the frame of an independent study course EEE 49800, or to receive $1,000 fellowship. Either option is acceptable. The expected contribution involves a) experimental work in a wet-chemistry lab, and b) data collection, analysis and reporting: acquired both experimentally and from literature/databases.

Websites 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.12.014
https://engineering.purdue.edu/SEE/People/ptProfile?resource_id=118637
https://engineering.purdue.edu/CCE/People/ptProfile?resource_id=2057 Qualifications We are looking for a student, motivated to tackle a complex sustainability issue. The ideal candidate should possess willingness and ability to work in a wet lab with various physical and chemical hazards, such as compressed gases and strong acids. Detailed safety training and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) will be provided. Prior experience in a wet chemistry laboratory is preferred, but not required. Credit Hours 3 Weekly Hours 10 (estimated)