From vineyards in Germany to research labs in B.C. 香蕉视频直播� Okanagan College (OC) student Benedikt Braun is helping find sustainable solutions for the beverage industry.
香蕉视频直播淗aving grown up around vineyards in Germany, I香蕉视频直播檝e always felt a deep connection to wine and nature,香蕉视频直播� said Braun, a research assistant with the college. 香蕉视频直播淏eing able to support the industry in new and innovative ways is very exciting. We are working directly with industry partners on ways to support our community.香蕉视频直播�
Braun is contributing to a major research project aimed at finding sustainable solutions for beverage industry by-products 香蕉视频直播� the waste produced by wineries, breweries, and cideries. The project looks at ways to reduce, reuse, and repurpose this material, much of which ends up in landfills or wastewater systems.
香蕉视频直播淲orking on this project allows me to merge my passion for winemaking with meaningful academic research,香蕉视频直播� said Braun, who is enrolled in OC香蕉视频直播檚 Bachelor of Business Administration program. 香蕉视频直播淐ontributing to a study that supports sustainable practices in the beautiful Okanagan region feels both inspiring and fulfilling.香蕉视频直播�
The research is part of OC香蕉视频直播檚 broader commitment to advancing the circular economy 香蕉视频直播� helping industries turn waste into valuable new resources.
香蕉视频直播淭his is a good example of how applied research can serve communities across the province and beyond,香蕉视频直播� said Kerry Rempel, interim director of applied research at OC. 香蕉视频直播淏ritish Columbia has a successful fermented beverage industry, and these businesses produce a large volume of by-products. Solutions are needed not only to improve sustainability but also to create new value for an industry facing growing pressures from climate change.香蕉视频直播�
Leading the project is Dr. Kathryn Bockhold, professor in OC香蕉视频直播檚 biology department.
香蕉视频直播淭his initiative aims to identify large-scale opportunities for beverage by-product reuse 香蕉视频直播� creating the potential for a secondary revenue stream for producers,香蕉视频直播� said Bockhold.
In its first phase, the research team is surveying beverage producers from the U.S. border to Revelstoke and the Similkameen Valley, tracking by-product volumes, disposal practices, and identifying high-density areas. The next phase will bring in partners like waste management companies and local governments to test reuse strategies.
香蕉视频直播淎s we gather a solid sample of data from local producers, our team will be able to explore how this material could be used in industrial applications,香蕉视频直播� added Rempel. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 where it gets really exciting. There香蕉视频直播檚 so much untapped potential here to build resilience for producers and invest in sustainable solutions that can be replicated across the province.香蕉视频直播�
For more information or to participate in the study, contact Dr. Kathryn Bockhold at kbockhold@okanagan.bc.ca.
