Past projects

Explore Living Lab projects that bring academic research to life, engaging students in hands-on learning, skill development, and collaboration while enhancing employability.

UoL Circular Economy Project 

The UoL Circular Economy Project exemplifies the University of Liverpool as a living lab, where students apply engineering and design expertise to real-world sustainability challenges. A team of 14 mechanical engineering and four industrial design students, supported by faculty and industry partners like Plastic Tactics, is pioneering a circular economy on campus by transforming single-use plastic bottles into valuable resources.

Through reverse engineering and upcycling, the team designs and builds specialised machinery to convert plastic waste into recycled materials for 3D printing and manufacturing. This hands-on initiative allows students to test and refine sustainable production models while exploring innovative solutions.

Beyond technical skills, the project fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, equipping students for future careers in sustainability-driven industries. By engaging with real waste streams and assessing commercial feasibility, the team turns academic research into practical impact.

This initiative demonstrates how the University operates as a living lab, an interactive space where students bridge theory and practice to develop scalable solutions for global environmental challenges, reinforcing eco-responsibility while enhancing their employability and innovation skills.

Read about the UoL Circular Economy Project here.

Student Waste Prevention project

A team of MSc Project Management students from the University of Liverpool’s Management School reached the final round of the Association for Project Management (APM) Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Project Management Challenge. Sagar Datrange, Aditi Gaikwad, Rakhi Hiremath, and Shubham Kadam saw the competition as an opportunity to drive positive societal change while gaining real-world experience.

Supported by faculty and the University’s Sustainability team, the students managed a Student Waste Prevention project aligned with the Leave Liverpool Tidy initiative. They coordinated with University stakeholders to host waste management workshops, run social media campaigns, and organise litter clean-ups and food waste initiatives, to drive tangible change in environmental sustainability on campus.

Their success in reaching the final showcases the University as a dynamic living lab, where students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Their experience integrates academic learning with practical, hands-on project management, enhancing their skills and employability. Competing in the APM Challenge provides professional exposure and industry feedback, reinforcing their readiness for future leadership roles.

Read all about our Master’s students leading the way in sustainability.