How Future17 gave me a new perspective on sustainability

The project we worked on was with a company called Covestro. To you and me, they’re a manufacturer of plastics, but more specifically they produce polyurethane and polycarbonate raw materials for coatings and adhesives that can be used in medical products, mobile phones and many different industries. 

This programme particularly focused on medical waste. A lot of medical-grade plastics are reusable, but there aren’t strong regulations around the world— not just in China, but in many countries.  

Regulations are in a kind of grey area in terms of how to classify these materials as waste, and how to recycle or reuse them. 

Our group of students, including myself, was tasked with conducting research into this issue. We mainly focused on the US and China, because of their large domestic markets, but we also looked at parts of Southeast Asia, such as Singapore. 

Our research centred on the regulatory frameworks for recycling this kind of medical waste in these countries, and on identifying any companies currently producing or piloting recycling programmes. 

We came up with some solutions by looking at companies already trialling recycling schemes. These weren’t yet fully circular processes, but they gave us useful insights. We proposed creative ideas such as working more closely with regulatory bodies and governments, partnering with major waste companies, or developing their own circular economy models. 

For example, one material we looked at is used in continuous glucose monitoring machines for diabetes patients. These are small patches with multiple components—metal, plastic and even needles.  

We had to think about how they could be separated for recycling, or whether the more practical solution might be energy recovery through incineration. 

Another device was a mask for people with conditions that block their airways during sleep, to help prevent choking or shortness of breath. These two products were the main focus of our solutions. 

I found it fascinating to learn about how these devices work and how they improve people’s lives, as well as the challenges in regulating and recycling them.  

Because they’re domestic medical products, rather than hospital waste, they fall into a grey area. That means there’s real potential for innovation in creating new ways to manage them sustainably. 

We had two excellent mentors who kept us on track and supported us throughout. They attended almost every meeting, and if one couldn’t make it, the other always did. That created a very positive atmosphere. 

Each team member brought different strengths – some in language and communication, others in PowerPoint or research. From day one, we worked as a team, which made a huge difference. Everyone was supportive and willing to help whenever needed. 

I think our programme was very successful because everyone was committed and gave their best. Personally, I drew on my experience of teamwork at university, where we regularly created video presentations.  

That helped me suggest timing our presentations and preparing scripts so everyone knew their part. We rehearsed as well, which gave us confidence and cohesion. 

Another thing that helped enormously were our regular meetings with Covestro. They explained their products clearly and answered all our questions, which guided us to focus on what they really wanted in terms of solutions and recommendations. 

That relationship built a strong understanding between the company and us, allowing us to deliver a much better presentation.  

Without it, we might not have met their expectations. We kept asking, “Is this what you want? Does this meet your standards?”, and that process was extremely valuable. 

The most enjoyable part was working with people across different time zones and accommodating everyone’s schedules. That was also one of the biggest challenges and many other teams mentioned the same issue.  

We had members in five different time zones, which was very difficult at first, but we still managed to meet regularly. 

Another valuable aspect was working on a real problem with a real company that genuinely wanted to build something useful. Knowing that our ideas could potentially become something tangible made the project even more interesting and motivating. It pushed us all to give our best. 

The project isn’t directly related to my law degree, since I’m still pursuing a legal career, but it was extremely helpful because my legal skills supported the research side.  

I was able to organise information logically and in a structured way from the start. 

The project reassured me that my legal skills are broadly applicable in many other contexts. Even if I don’t work directly in law, the ability to analyse, structure and apply knowledge will be valuable in any organisation or role.  

This project gave me a new perspective on sustainability. Before, I thought mainly about climate change. That’s still important, but I’ve realised there are many other dimensions. For example, industries such as medicine produce huge amounts of waste, and we don’t yet have adequate solutions for dealing with it. 

The problem is that regulations and laws are often behind the times. They tend to respond only after issues arise, once lobbying, protests or public pressure build. Law is reactive rather than proactive.  

By contrast, business innovation moves faster, taking the first steps to address problems before regulation catches up. 

In that sense, sustainability depends heavily on businesses taking the initiative. They can act quickly, experiment and implement solutions, while the law follows later to formalise and support those changes. 

I would say: definitely give it a try. You’ll learn things you won’t get from other programmes. In class, you’re given a case study and taught theory, but you don’t always get to use your critical thinking skills in the same way. 

The real value of Future17 is that it bridges the gap between university and the real world. For students without much work experience, it’s a unique opportunity to collaborate with a real company.  

It feels almost like doing an internship. You’re not just learning in theory but also applying your knowledge to real challenges. 

For me, that was the most exciting part: working with a real company, contributing to something with future potential, and gaining experience that was both meaningful and practical. That’s exactly what I’d emphasise to other students who are considering it.