We recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Saint Augustine’s University, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, to open up new opportunities that will engage students directly in the communities where we have Braven Environmental facilities. This partnership gives faculty and students the opportunity to conduct research alongside our scientists and creates internship opportunities at our facility in Zebulon, North Carolina.
“We are pleased to offer these cutting-edge scientific opportunities to our students,” said Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail, President of Saint Augustine’s University. “We believe the country needs the type of research that Braven is conducting to remain a leader in the recycling sector and reduce our collective carbon footprint. Saint Augustine’s University faculty and students are well positioned to support Braven and make a significant impact in the technology recycling sector.”
As a key supporter of the circular economy of plastic, we are leading the development of an economical approach to solving the global plastic waste crisis. According to a 2020 study by Pew Research, the circular economy has the potential to reduce the annual volume of plastics entering our oceans by 80%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%, generate savings of $200 billion per year, and create 700,000 additional jobs by 2040.
Our North Carolina facility deploys patented pyrolysis-based technology to convert mixed-waste plastics into a feedstock / input for the production of new plastics and as a replacement to traditional oil products. It’s one of the leading solutions to address the global, growing issue of post-consumer and post-industrial waste plastics, and it reduces the carbon footprint associated with traditional plastic waste management and plastic production.
“This novel collaboration between Saint Augustine’s University and Braven Environmental unifies several essential benefits for society, environmental sustainability, environmental responsibility, entrepreneurship, and business management, through education and practice,” said Dr. Josiah Sampson, the University’s Vice President of Academic Affairs.
We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Saint Augustine’s University to create opportunities for students interested in sustainable biology and sustainable economies.
“This partnership is about engaging future generations in the efforts to address the global waste plastics crisis in the heart of the communities where we operate our facilities,” said Nicholas Canosa, President and CEO of Braven Environmental. “We look forward to welcoming students studying sustainability and the development of circular economies at our Zebulon, North Carolina facility.”