Drop by Drop: An Experiential Water Waste Exercise

Implementing a water-use experiential exercise in business courses reinforces student learning outcomes associated with managing both traditional business wastes and those wastes associated with social or environmental impact and responsibility. In this exercise, students are challenged to reflect on their own sustainability attitudes and behaviors by measuring their wasted water. The exercise is adaptable to include other business learning outcomes and is flexible for a variety of high-level sustainability frameworks. It provides an approachable opportunity to discuss social and environmental waste challenges and supports synergy to discuss multiple sustainability metrics associated with the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals, corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental, social, and governance (ESG), or other frameworks. In addition, students learn about regional and global water challenges and evaluate the impact of water waste for long-term sustainability of scarce resources.