Sustainability x Impact
Our Projects
Our VP External and President work in collaboration to reach out to organizations requesting and seeking potential projects. As we gather more of a client base, we have begun to have organizations and companies reach out to us regarding our work. If you are interested in working in collaboration with us, please reach out!
OUR SERVICES
WHO WE ARE
The Environmental Consulting Organization at UM is the leading sustainability consulting organization at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. With a primary focus on the environment and sustainable business practices, we help businesses across the Southeastern Michigan area and the broader United States implement more sustainable practices, craft solutions to broader business problems, and research
trends in the future green economy.
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WHAT WE DO
We provide several different services, and we pride ourselves on being able to assist a number of different
organizations. We've worked with zero-waste nonprofits, the city government, the University of Michigan, and local fashion retail and restaurant businesses. We've hosted a campus-wide week-long event for zero waste, held public information meetings on green transportation, and created an interactive heatmap of the UM campus to show energy trends. Our mission is to help implement more sustainable practices, and we are dedicated to realizing this vision for our clients.
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Click each segment to learn more to learn more about our service offerings and approach!
Marketing and Communications
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Branding content creation for strengthening environmental messaging
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Product value communication through surveys and research
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Example of Work: We’ve created flyers about our clients products (for example, we’ve made information sheets about an electric bike company in Ann Arbor we consulted for). We’ve also helped organize a demonstration event for that company, and promoted their services to groups in the housing industry, food delivery industry, and to the local Ann Arbor government which had a strong interest to make electric bikes more freely accessible
Returning Projects Highlights
Below, we highlight select projects that build directly on work completed in previous semesters and continue into the current term. While we anticipate supporting 8 total projects this cycle, our portfolio includes a mix of long-term engagements and new initiatives. Some projects extend across multiple semesters to deepen impact and implementation, while others are newly launched this term to address emerging opportunities and client needs.
SEQUESTRO
We work with Sequestro.Co, a Michigan-based technology startup focused on removing PFAS from water to expand access to safe, potable drinking water. Our team supports the company’s path to market through detailed market research and market sizing, identifying core customer segments such as municipal utilities, industrial wastewater facilities, and remediation contractors. Using pilot data, we estimate TAM, SAM, and SOM while analyzing contamination levels, regulatory environments, current treatment costs, and regional demand across priority United States markets.​
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MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT
PM: Smilee
Senior Advisor: Aditya (not pictured)
Analysts: Jack, Julia, Noelle, Sara
MI FLAX/FIBERSHED
We work with Michigan Fibershed to support the Michigan Flax Project, a regenerative textile initiative focused on rebuilding a local flax-to-linen supply chain that promotes sustainable jobs, rural economic development, and climate-positive innovation. Our work includes expanding and refining financial projection models for investor use, developing and supporting investor outreach materials and funding conversations, and assisting with factory siting by evaluating locations and support networks for an initial flax processing facility based on environmental, economic, and social considerations.​
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MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT
PM: Kinsey and Leo
Senior Advisor: Aditya (not pictured)
Analysts: Rohan, Bhuvan, Talia, Ritvik
ARGUS FARM STOP
We work with Argus Farm Stop, a locally owned farmers' market and grocery store in Ann Arbor, to support growth, sustainability, and community engagement. Our team analyzes food mileage and CO₂ emissions to compare local sourcing with traditional grocery chains while helping Argus refine its marketing strategy to reach new demographics, including students. We also research alternative organic standards for small and local farms that cannot afford federal certification and develop sustainability-focused marketing initiatives to communicate these findings to customers through in-store materials, pop-up events, and partnerships with local organizations.​
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MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT
PM: Luciana
Analysts: Lisa, Vanessa, Chole, Laini
MEC
We work with the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) on an ongoing project focused on Supplemental Environmental Projects, a policy mechanism that allows companies that violate environmental permits to offset a portion of their fines by completing approved mitigation projects instead of paying a full monetary penalty. Building on work completed in a previous semester, our team supports environmental justice through policy research, cumulative impact assessment, and data analysis. Our work includes documenting and analyzing political support and opposition to SEPs within the Michigan House and Senate, as well as further developing web-based tools that allow nonprofits and corporate emissions violators to navigate the SEP database and connect with qualifying projects that meet legal opt-in requirements.​
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MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT
PM: Alex and Amanda
Analysts: Chelsea, Gigi, Josie (not pictured), Lauren