2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

From Access to Awareness: A Comprehensive Review of Makerspace Material Policies and Their Role in Advancing Sustainability Education

Presented at Sustainability in Materials and Makerspaces- ENVIRON Division

This paper presents a comprehensive review of published peer-reviewed articles examining the effectiveness of sustainability-related material availability policies in university makerspaces. Specifically, it focuses on three operational approaches: pay-per-use models, quantity limits, and bring-your-own-materials (BYOM) policies. Makerspaces, as hubs for digital fabrication and experiential learning, generate substantial plastic waste, particularly from 3D printing. While institutional interest in sustainability is growing, there remains a notable lack of empirical studies evaluating how these specific policy instruments influence user behavior, material consumption, and environmental outcomes.
The review draws from scholarly publications spanning environmental science, engineering education, and policy studies. It is guided by the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) framework, which promotes the integration of sustainability competencies into engineering curricula. The analysis identifies a persistent gap between theoretical models—such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), circular economy principles, and behavioral change frameworks like the Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Planned Behavior—and their practical application in makerspace policy evaluation.
Using thematic categorization, the literature was organized into four domains: (1) theoretical frameworks, (2) empirical studies on makerspace sustainability, (3) policy evaluation and implementation, and (4) measurement instruments. Findings reveal that most existing studies are descriptive case reports or baseline waste audits, with few employing controlled comparisons, longitudinal tracking, or validated behavioral metrics.
Key insights include:
• No experimental studies have assessed the behavioral or environmental impact of pay-per-use, quantity limits, or BYOM policies.
• Informal reuse and sharing practices are common, but their connection to formal policy interventions is undocumented.
• Pedagogical efforts promoting sustainable design and upcycling show promise but are rarely integrated with operational policy changes.
• Equity implications of cost-based policies are underexplored, raising concerns about access and participation.
The paper concludes with a call for future research to prioritize experimental designs, multi-institutional comparisons, and mixed-methods approaches that integrate environmental metrics with behavioral data. It recommends the development of makerspace-specific sustainability models, standardized waste auditing protocols, and policy bundles that combine educational framing with operational rules to maximize impact.
By identifying methodological gaps and proposing a research agenda, it aims to catalyze rigorous evaluation of sustainability policies in makerspaces and contribute to broader efforts in sustainable engineering education. Makerspaces have the potential to serve as transformative platforms for cultivating sustainability mindsets and circularity competencies in future engineers.

Authors

Oladayo Ariyo North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University [biography]

Oladayo Ariyo is a doctoral candidate in the Applied Science and Technology Program with a concentration in Technology Management at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He received his Master’s Degree in Applied Physical Science (Environmental Science) and his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Georgia Southern University. He will graduate with his Ph.D. in May 2026.

Oladayo’s research interests focus on Sustainable systems in Manufacturing and Material Science. He worked as a Research Assistant on Additive Manufacturing of Wood Polymer Composites, and served as a Teaching Assistant for the American Cutting Edge Initiative (ACE) sponsored by the Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment, covering 3D Printing and CNC Machining.
Dr. Nelson A. Granda http://orcid.org/https://0009-0003-4582-2155 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (CoST) [biography]

Nelson A. Granda Marulanda is an Assistant Professor in the Applied Engineering Technology department at the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. Nelson has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, a Masters in Manufacturing Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The University of Tennessee Knoxville. Before becoming a professor, he worked for several years in the Eolic and Aerospace industry. Nelson’s research interest revolved around Sustainable Development through the triple bottom line and System Thinking approach. He has been an active member of the Engineering For One Planet Network for many years. Nelson believes that education is the key to achieving a sustainable world.
Dr. Yang Zhang Western Carolina University [biography]

Dr. Yang Zhang is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering + Technology at Western Carolina University. Dr. Zhang achieved his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University. Dr. Zhang is passionate of conducting engineering education with innovative methods; he believes the best method for conveying the subject matter is the interest.
Dr. James David Kribs http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2493-2588 North Carolina A&T State University (CoE) [biography]

My research aims to understand the concepts and mechanisms of lifted jet combustion, electrohydrodynamics, aerodynamics, composite structures, and engineering education . I use advanced techniques and technologies to explore these topics. My students and
Joao Paulo Jacomini Prioli http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5756-8455 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University [biography]

Dr. Joao Prioli is an Assistant Professor at North Carolina A&T State University. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Wayne State University and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Uberlândia. His research focuses on advancing automation solutions to support the circular economy, with a particular emphasis on smart manufacturing, CAD-based disassembly, and human-robot collaboration. His work explores data-driven modeling and automated disassembly processes to enable sustainable production and resource recovery.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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