Publications and presentations

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate the efficacy of an intervention remain
underutilized in community-based environmental health research. RCTs that use a pragmatic
design emphasizes the effectiveness of interventions in complex, real world settings.
Pragmatic trials may be especially relevant when community-based interventions address
social and environmental determinants that threaten health equity. The revised Pragmatic
Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS-2) is a validated tool developed in
2015 by trialists to ensure that clinical trials are designed to fit their intended purpose, with
an assessment of applicability of the trial results to specific contexts. The purpose of this
cross-sectional study was to ask Ecolectivos study investigators and external implementation
scientists to evaluate the Ecolectivos study protocol using the PRECIS-2 tool prior to
the launch of the trial. Ecolectivos is an implementation science study, using a village-level
cluster randomized controlled trial design, to assess a behavioral intervention to reduce
household plastic waste burning in rural Guatemala.

Ecolectivos was selected by Emory University's Science Gallery Atlanta for their current exhibition, Resilient Earth. Curated from an unprecedented pool of 187 submissions, Resilient Earth features 11 exceptional exhibits. The concepts are global in scope and represent a wide variety of perspectives on climate change and its impact on the future of our planet. From immersive installations to thought-provoking interactive experiences, Resilient Earth promises to inspire, educate, and ignite conversations about our collective responsibility towards Earth. The exhibit runs from September 2024 through April 2025.

Waste collection services are uncommon in rural areas of low-resource countries, causing waste accumulation
and subsequent dumping and burning of garbage. Air pollution from household garbage burning, including
plastics, has been observed in Jalapa, Guatemala in addition to household air pollution (HAP) from cooking.
Adolescent girls often help with these cooking and household tasks, but little is known about their exposures.

Emory University brings together science, art, technology and design to deliver world-class educational and cultural experiences.

This report has been prepared to address the plastic industry's claims that chemical recycling, also known as “advanced recycling,” can play a significant role in reducing global plastic pollution. The science and data currently available do not support this claim and actually point to the conclusion that chemical recycling would support expansion of plastic production, […]