Online Archive of University of Virginia Scholarship
Sustainable Utilization of Whey By-Product For the Production of Biobutanol; The Role of Carbon Offsets in Corporate Sustainability and Climate Accountability112 views
Author
Bogdan, Sarah, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia
Advisors
Anderson, Eric, Chem Engr Dept, University of Virginia
Seabrook, Bryn, Engineering and Society, University of Virginia
Abstract
My technical and STS projects both explore contemporary responses to climate change, but they do so from different angles, one through applied chemical engineering and the other through ethical analysis of corporate sustainability practices. At first glance, they seem distinct, as one aims to design a processing plant to convert yogurt industry waste into renewable energy and protein products, while the other investigates the ethics of corporate carbon offsetting through the lens of Actor-Network Theory. However, both projects are motivated by a core concern: how do we move from sustainability discourse to measurable impact? Whether evaluating the viability of biobutanol production from waste or the legitimacy of carbon credits used by Fortune 500 companies, my work reflects a broader interest in bridging the gap between environmental narratives and their real-world consequences. These projects share a commitment to understanding the material, social, and ethical infrastructure behind climate solutions, whether they are fermented in a bioreactor or laid out within a corporate ESG report.
Degree
BS (Bachelor of Science)
Keywords
Sustainability; Biofuel; Carbon Offsets; Whey Protein
Notes
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Technical Advisor: Eric Anderson
STS Advisor: Erin Seabrook
Technical Team Members: Aidan Decker, Andrew Ludwikowski, Carson Min, Elizabeth Wu
Language
English
Rights
All rights reserved (no additional license for public reuse)
Bogdan, Sarah. Sustainable Utilization of Whey By-Product For the Production of Biobutanol; The Role of Carbon Offsets in Corporate Sustainability and Climate Accountability. University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science, BS (Bachelor of Science), 2025-05-09, https://doi.org/10.18130/f94c-9538.
