By Ezra Undag, a graduate student in sustainability at CUNY-The City College of New York whose work focuses on waste systems and environmental justice. It was hot, dry, and sunny in Ho Chi Minh City, with temperatures reaching 90°F. Determined to see an informal recycling hub, I wandered through District 10 and found Nhat Tao Market, a well-known center for vintage and secondhand goods. Lining the streets were repair shops alongside stalls packed with salvaged computers, discarded home appliances, used electronic devices, and refurbished motor parts. Men and women squatted on the ground, dismantling and prying open broken items. The …

At The City College of New York (CCNY), the Sustainability Lab has become more than a research hub, it’s a place where passion, innovation, and community come together to rethink how we treat organic waste. At the heart of that effort is our biodigester project, a hands-on initiative turning food scraps and other organic materials into nutrient-rich compost while reducing environmental impact right here on campus. This biodigester isn’t just a machine. It’s a learning space, a source of inspiration, and a symbol of what’s possible when curiosity meets purpose. Led by Jason Ochs, the biodigester project reflects a hands-on …