UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1121

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Changhyun Nam
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): cn12@fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Florida State University
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/20201/Lyon-3.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: From Waste to Value: Sustainable Strategies Connecting Recycling with Local Upcycling Enterprises
Project Keywords: Sustainability, Local business, Recycling, Upcycling, Start-up
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all majors

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: Yes
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
Waste recycling is widely recognized as a critical component of sustainable resource management and environmental conservation. However, despite increased awareness, recycling participation and effectiveness in the United States remain inconsistent and often insufficient compared to other developed nations. The absence of a standardized national recycling system, coupled with variations in municipal programs, has created confusion and discouraged active engagement. In addition, factors such as convenience, low economic incentives, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural perceptions further limit the impact of recycling initiatives.
Countries such as Germany, Norway, Italy, and Spain have demonstrated higher participation rates through consistent policies, deposit-return systems, and stronger public engagement strategies. In contrast, many Americans view recycling as an optional individual choice rather than a shared societal responsibility. Moreover, environmental messaging has not consistently connected recycling to tangible personal or community benefits, resulting in a weak link between awareness and action.
To address these challenges, this study proposes a holistic approach that combines technological innovation, policy development, and behavioral change strategies—while placing special emphasis on linking recycling efforts with local upcycling businesses. Such partnerships can extend the life of recovered materials, create local economic opportunities, and make sustainability efforts more visible and meaningful to communities. By integrating repair and reuse programs before recycling, and ensuring recovered materials are channeled into creative, value-added applications, the study aims to transform recycling from a passive activity into an active, community-driven circular economy system.

Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to identify, design, and evaluate the most effective and sustainable strategies for integrating waste recycling into everyday life. The research will combine technological innovation, policy frameworks, and behavioral change approaches to create a recycling system that is efficient, accessible, and widely adopted. A core focus will be establishing partnerships between recycling programs and local upcycling businesses, enabling recovered materials to be transformed into new, value-added products within the community. By channeling recyclable materials into local creative and manufacturing enterprises, the study seeks to generate economic opportunities, reduce waste transportation emissions, and strengthen community engagement with sustainability. In addition, the framework will incorporate material-specific solutions, improved infrastructure models, and public awareness campaigns, with an emphasis on repair and reuse before recycling.

Research Questions
RQ1. What combination of technological tools, local policies, and behavioral strategies most effectively increases public participation in recycling programs that supply materials to local upcycling businesses?
RQ2. How can recycling and collection infrastructure be designed to ensure high-quality material recovery that meets the needs of local upcycling enterprises while remaining convenient and accessible to the public?
RQ3. What role do public awareness, education, and community engagement play in connecting household recycling habits with the success of local upcycling businesses?
RQ4. Which waste materials present the greatest challenges for both recycling and upcycling, and what innovative local solutions can address these barriers to create value-added products?
RQ5. How can recycling–upcycling partnerships be integrated into a broader circular economy framework to promote long-term environmental sustainability, local economic growth, and community resilience?

Expected Contribution
This research will provide both theoretical and practical contributions to waste management studies. It will identify effective integration points between technological systems, policy interventions, and behavioral strategies, while also applying Nudge Theory to drive measurable increases in recycling participation. The findings are expected to produce a scalable framework that can be adapted by municipalities, policy-makers, and environmental organizations to improve recycling systems nationwide. By focusing on tangible benefits, accessibility, and community engagement, the study will promote a cultural shift toward resource recovery and circular economy practices.

Research Tasks:
literature review, data collection (interview and survey), review/editing paper 

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
It would be perfect to have research experience for academic papers. Also, if students know how to operate NVivo software, it would be great (additional skill)

Mentoring Philosophy:
My primary research area revolves around functional product development and wear performance, both of which are central to my product development research. My main mentoring goal is to provide mentees with innovative learning techniques and research experiences that nurture their growth into lifelong learners and successful leaders. To achieve this, my mentoring philosophy emphasizes being prepared, honest, and collaborative. For my mentees, I channel my efforts into honing my research skills and assessing my research performance by engaging in idea sharing, consulting with fellow professionals, and constantly refining my approach. I am dedicated to ensuring efficient learning for my mentees within the UPOP Research Mentor Project Program. To fulfill this objective, I will bring a positive attitude, unwavering commitment, and a focus on professional development, all of which are highly valued traits among mentees in the program. These attributes collectively equip me to be well-prepared for my research role. Outlined below are examples of my past and ongoing research endeavors, along with my future aspirations in the field of product development and sustainability. My research goals encompass:
•	Bridging the gap between well-designed academic findings and practical effectiveness in real-world usage, particularly within the domains of sportswear, functional clothing, and the fashion industry.
•	Crafting functional products like sportswear, gloves, and protective clothing tailored for disabled and elderly individuals, athletes, and workers exposed to hazardous environments.
•	Exploring and evaluating various materials to design wearable products.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://www.linkedin.com/in/changhyun-lyon-nam-ph-d-aa23278b/
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
N/A

UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2025
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