This research develops a conceptual framework to explore the role of green nudging in online peer-to-peer (P2P) secondhand marketplaces, where economic motivations and environmental values frequently intersect. As these platforms grow, facilitating the reuse of goods and promoting sustainability, a critical challenge arises: how to align user behavior with sustainable practices without compromising economic benefits. Drawing on behavioral economics, this study examines how green nudges—subtle cues such as information disclosure, social norms, and guilt—can influence both buyers and sellers to prioritize environmental outcomes in their transactions. Through an experimental design, the research investigates how various nudging strategies impact user behaviors, particularly their pricing decisions and recognition of the environmental benefits of secondhand goods. The study posits that green nudges can motivate sellers to adjust prices in favor of sustainability while encouraging buyers to accept higher prices for eco-friendly products. The moderating roles of user characteristics, such as intrinsic economic and environmental values, and the mediating effect of perceived environmental benefits are also explored. By providing actionable insights into how to craft effective nudging strategies, this research contributes to the broader discourse on digital sustainability and sustainable innovations. The findings are expected to inform platform designers and policymakers on how to balance economic efficiency with environmental goals in digital marketplaces, ultimately fostering a more sustainable digital economy. This study aligns with the conference theme of promoting sustainability and addressing environmental challenges through innovative approaches.

Rice husk biochar and compost mixture produced in Ghana have been reported to retard the mobility of toxic elements and are thus desirable amendments for the remediation of contaminated soils. It is therefore necessary to characterize their physicochemical properties and elucidate the impact of mixing compost with rice husk biochar on the overall adsorption performance. To that end, we used operando in situ flow microcalorimetry (FMC) to quantify the energetics of ion sorption unto rice husk biochar (BC) and biochar compost (BCO) and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to characterize their surface functional groups. The heat of exchange (Qexch) of anion exchange (AE) and cation exchange (CE) were used to probe the surface positive and negative charges respectively. Qexch of AE were measured using 100mM of NaCl and NaNO3: Qexch of CE were measured using 100mM of NaNO3 and KNO3. All solutions were prepared at a pH value of 5.8. Preliminary results showed that both Qexch AE and CE were smaller for BC than those for BCO: and that Qexch for AE are smaller than Qexch for CE on both materials. ATR-FTIR showed higher absorbance of hydrogen-bonded (Oh), carboxylate anions (COO-) and aliphatic group on BCO than BC. Two preliminary conclusions can be derived. First, the pH at which the point of zero charge occurs (pHZPC) for both materials is below 5.8 as Qexch CE is greater than Qexch of AE, and second mixing compost with biochar significantly changes the surface charge properties of the materials. Further studies will ascertain the contribution of functional groups to the exchange energetics differences by probing the surface chemistry of BCO/BC at a range of pH values.

While millions face scarcity worldwide, American households routinely discard perfectly good food and reusable items that could benefit others in their communities. This paradox has spurred governments and nonprofits to collaborate on innovative solutions, with waste reduction at the source emerging as a critical priority. This research investigates how CartSmall, a localized marketplace app, can transform community-driven e-commerce into a powerful tool for both waste reduction and social innovation. Through surveys and analysis of existing data, we examined the environmental impact of household waste and community members' willingness to share usable items with neighbors, fostering a circular economy and reducing landfill contributions. The findings reveal a compelling opportunity: communities showed strong enthusiasm for collaborative waste reduction, particularly favoring local marketplace platforms for trading surplus food and household items. Platforms like CartSmall do more than just divert waste—they promote sustainability by encouraging resource reuse and empower communities through shared responsibility and strengthened social bonds. However, challenges around user safety and privacy were identified. Some participants expressed concerns about home security during frequent exchanges or feared being targeted due to active participation. Addressing these concerns through secure drop-off locations, anonymous exchanges, and flexible digital-only interactions will be crucial for widespread adoption. Our findings clearly demonstrate the potential of community-based platforms to significantly reduce household waste while fostering sustainability and empowering communities. Further research will be needed to quantify specific environmental and economic benefits and ensure these solutions can scale effectively across diverse communities.

High-speed liquid jets, often observed during processes like droplet impact, exhibit intricate morphologies governed by initial conditions, fluid properties, and system geometry. Understanding these jets is crucial for applications such as inkjet printing, pesticide spraying, fuel combustion, and air-sea gas exchange, where their dynamics can be either advantageous or detrimental. Despite their importance, predicting jet behavior, particularly thickness, velocity, and stability, remains a challenge due to the interplay of momentum transfer and energy dissipation. This research employs three-dimensional numerical simulations to replicate and analyze the diverse morphologies observed experimentally in a simplified setup. The system consists of two plates rapidly pushed together to expel fluid, eliminating the complexities associated with droplet impacts. Experimental validation using high-speed imaging shows promising agreement with initial simulations, laying the foundation for a detailed parametric study. The focus will be on exploring the size, velocity, and vorticity of the jets near their base, addressing the fundamental question: “What determines jet thickness?” Additionally, the study aims to uncover new morphologies by varying parameters such as the gap width and fluid properties, extending our understanding of jet formation and stability. These findings will provide valuable insights into splash dynamics, aiding the development of predictive models for controlling such phenomena across engineering and industrial applications.