SWANA Announces Winners of the 2025 Student Design Competition

Each year, students are given a specific challenge to solve. The challenge, “Disposal Planning for Sustainable Technologies in Generation and Transportation,” focused on solutions for responsible management of solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. The students also considered the environmental, social, safety, and economic implications of their solutions.  

 Teams presented their solutions on April 9, and we congratulate the award recipients: 

• 1st Place: University of Florida, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
• 2nd Place: Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Department of Civil, Environmental and Surveying Engineering
• 3rd Place: Jackson State University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; University of South Carolina, College of Arts and Sciences, School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment
• Best Presentation: University of Florida, Herbet Wertheim College of Engineering
• Rising Star Award: Angelique T. Pagán Medina, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Department of Civil, Environmental and Surveying Engineering

Each team presented alternatives for tackling this challenge and a chance to display their talents. SWANA CEO Amy Lestition Burke joined the awards ceremony today. 

“It’s very inspirational to see the teams work hard to create unique ideas to solve the challenge. Universities and researchers play an important role in developing solutions for the increasing waste streams of renewable energy and electronic waste management. We encourage our industry to consider these innovative ideas. These students are the future of waste and resource management, and we appreciate their innovative ideas. Bravo to the award recipients!”   

SWANA thanks all the participants, sponsoring professors, team coaches, judges, and the committee members for your time in the SDC.