Maria la del barrio

Engl101
Prof. Mary Smith

RECYCLING

REFORM

Table of Contents
Abstract.........................................................................................................................3
Project Description........................................................................................................4
Introduction.....................................................................................................................4
Rationale and Significance...................................................................................................5
Plan of Work....................................................................................................................7
Scope.............................................................................................................................8
Methods..........................................................................................................................8
Recollection of Data...........................................................................................................8
Task Breakdown................................................................................................................9
Schedule.........................................................................................................................9
Potential Complications.....................................................................................................10
Facilities and Equipment....................................................................................................10
Personnel.....................................................................................................................10
Budget.........................................................................................................................11
Conclusion....................................................................................................................12
Appendixes..................................................................................................................13
Works Cited..................................................................................................................14

Abstract
The Recycling Reform is a project whose main focus is to present a feasible reform towards
the current recycling program at the. This project identifies the problems that are currently
restraining the recycling program and seeks to promote an efficient solution with the use of
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a $40,00.00 budget. Similarly studies have concluded that by surveying common points of
consumption on campus and placing recycling bins closer to the point of consumption
recycling more than doubled in amount (e.g., Ludwig, Gray, & Rowell, 1998; O'Connor, R.,T.,
Lerman, D. C., Fritz, J. N., & Hodde, H. B. 2010). For this reason this project adopts the
solution proposed by the study and incorporates it to the recycling program. Furthermore
the surveying of common points of consumption is presented as the solution towards
increasing recycling behavior in this proposal. In addition this projects plan of work is
divided in three phases. The first phase consists on identifying the common points of
consumption. The second phase consists on acquiring and placing the recycling bins on the
previously mentioned common points of consumption. Finally the third and final phase
consists in the evaluation of the effects the solution proposed had on recycling behavior.

Project Description
Introduction
Purpose Statement
This purpose of this proposal is to increase by 60% the mean weekly number of
plastic bottles placed in the recycling bins by surveying the most common
points of consumption on campus and placing recycling bins in every common
point.
This proposal describes a project that will increase the amount of recycled
plastic bottles in the.
General Goals
The general goals for this proposal are the following:
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Firstly, to provide accessible recycling bins has informed that the current
amount of recycling bins available is only 170 in the entire campus, this
means that there are many common areas of consumption that are
lacking needed recycling bins. Also around 70 of those bins are placed in
the same area, meaning that the recycling bins are not equitably
dispersed in the areas they are found. The current number of recycling
bins available is a problem since it has been determined that there must
be at least 500 recycling bins available in order to for them to be

equitably dispersed through out the entire campus.

Secondly, as direct result of the first goal, to increase the amount of
recycled plastic bottles. Although a precise amount of plastic bottles
recycled up to date could not be retrieved estimated that the amount of
plastic bottles recycled ranges from 100-150. By providing recycling bins
in every common point of consumption in campus the amount of recycled
plastic bottles would increase by 60%.

Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of this proposal are the following:

Survey and determine the common points of consumption in the entire

campus.
Placement of more recycling bins than there were in the entire campus.
Accurately placing recycling bins where they are needed, thereby

avoiding over crowding of recycling bins in one single area.

Increasing the amount of recycled bottles by 60%
Reducing the impact that wrongful disposal of plastic bottles has on the
environment.

Rationale and Significance

Background
Exploitation of valuable resources, deforestation, greenhouse gas
emissions, among many others have had a profound and negative effect
on the environment. However a new threat that has slowly had alarming
effects is the increasing consumption of beverages in plastic containers.
The harmful effects of plastic containers are associated with the
manufacture of said products. Clear plastic bottles that contain water
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have chemicals that can contaminate stored food and beverage. One
example of such a chemicals is Bisphenol A (BPA), based on a news report
from Science Daily in 2008. According to the report, BPA is an artificial
chemical that can affect the natural communication system of the bodys
hormones when ingested. Also the use of petroleum to replenish the
supply of plastic bottles exploits valuable resources, produces harmful
greenhouse (carbon) gases, and damages air and water quality. However
the damaging effects of plastic bottles also extends to their disposal;
since most plastic bottles find their way in landfills, studies have
confirmed that U.S. consumers recycle only 28% of their recyclable waste
("More Recycling Facts and Statistics," 2008), they will just end up buried
beneath the ground. The soil may be contaminated over time with these
toxic substances. In the environment, plastic bottles, as trash, have the
same problems as plastics in general. Plastic breaks up into smaller
pieces when exposed to sunlight, as on the open ocean. The pieces
become small enough to be eaten by fish and seabirds, blocking their
digestive tracts, leading to malnutrition, starvation, and death. Also if the
soil is affected, plants cannot grow easily. Groundwater may also be
contaminated if the toxic chemicals sink deeper into the ground.
Recycling companies may reuse plastic bottles, but millions of these
bottles are eventually thrown away. This is way manufacturers of plastic
bottles have sought to improve their plastic bottles over time,
manufacturing them with lesser quantities of harmful chemicals such as
BPAs.
Nonetheless even though manufacturers are improving their plastic
bottles by making them BPA-free the effect that plastic bottles have on
the environment is still grave. However there is a way for which
consumers can reduce the harmful effects of plastic bottles. Ecoconscious initiatives have spread into many sectors such as College
campuses. Currently, the has a eco-conscious initiative called Campus
Verde. Consequently Campus Verde has a recycling program. Campus
Verde has without doubt greened; nonetheless, the recycling program
needs to be reformed in order to increase recycling efforts.

Incidentally a few studies have examined low-cost methods for increasing

recycling. In particular, by surveying common points of consumption on
campus and placing recycling bins closer to the point of consumption
greatly changed recycling behavior by more than doubling in amount
(e.g., Ludwig, Gray, & Rowell, 1998; O'Connor, R.,T., Lerman, D. C., Fritz, J.
N., & Hodde, H. B. 2010).
Problem
Although Campus Verde, an eco-conscious initiative, elaborated a
recycling program in the it has not been able to provide the sufficient
means to enable recycling inside the campus. The program is restrained
by two main problems; firstly there is a limited amount of recycling bins,
only 170 in the entire campus. Secondly, out of those 170 recycling bins
70 of them are either in the same building, were there are more than are
needed, or placed in areas that are not common points of consumption.
Consequently for the previously mentioned reasons there arent enough
recycling bins to cover the entirety of the campus in all the common
areas of consumption. As a consequence this inevitably leads to the
wrongful disposal of recyclable material, plastic bottles.
Solution
The solution I present through this proposal is to identify the areas that
are common points of consumption and to place the appropriate number
of recycling bins in those same areas. This solution results from the
findings of a study that indicates that by surveying common points of
consumption on campus and placing recycling bins closer to the point of
consumption recycling behavior more than doubles in amount (e.g.,
Ludwig, Gray, & Rowell, 1998; O'Connor, R.,T., Lerman, D. C., Fritz, J. N., &
Hodde, H. B. 2010). This solution requires the use of 500 recycling bins. In
the UPRM there are already 170 which signifies that expenses would only
have to cover the 330 missing recycling bins, not the entire sum of 500.
Additionally a problem with the current recycling program was that in
certain building such as the, Biology Department building, there were two
many recycling bins placed next to each other unnecessarily. These
unnecessary bins could have been used in department building that
needed them. For this reason the solution that this project proposal

suggests also includes the relocation of recycling bins that are deemed
unnecessary.
This solutions importance is significant because its a feasible solution.
This solution requires a minimum set of steps to be taken as well as
minimum maintenance.
The solutions significance when related to my field of study relies on that
my field of study is Biology. My field of study
Moreover this solutions significance in relation to my field of study is that
my field of study is Biology. In Biology we study, among many other
subjects, the harmful effects that contamination and pollution have on
our planet and are greatly encouraged to look for manners in which we
can help reduce their impact. Similarly, this solution reflects on the
objectives that my field of study encourages, which is to provide tangible
solutions towards the problems affecting Earth. Conclusively, my solution
is significant since it will hopefully reduce greatly the amount of plastic
bottles that are inadequately disposed of.
Research
An important part of this project is research. Research in this project is
crucial because it is necessary in order to localize the common points of
consumption and to document and measure the progress of the recycling
program.
Plan of Work
Goal
As previously stated the goal for this proposal is to increase the number of
recycled plastic bottles by providing more recycling bins in common points of
consumption. Firstly the common points of consumption will be identified and
then the
Objectives
As mentioned before the objectives are the following

Survey and determine the common points of consumption in the entire

UPRM campus.
Placing more recycling in the entire UPRM campus.
Accurately placing recycling bins where they are needed, thereby

avoiding over crowding of recycling bins in one single area.

Increasing the amount of recycled bottles by 60%
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Steps To Be Taken to Achieve Objectives:

The steps that will be taken to ensure the goal and objectives are achieved are
as follows:
Step 1: Contacting the Campus Verde committee, with special emphasis on Mr.
Roberto Torres Martinez who is in charge of recycling program, and presenting
this proposal. I will be requiring Campus Verdes cooperation in order to carry
out this reform.
Step 2: Identifying common points of consumption. The common points of
consumption will be identified by conducting a study in which survey recycling
bins will be placed in the points I have hypothesized as being common points of
consumption and calculating the amount of recycled material in a period of 2
weeks and compare it to the amount of recycled material in the recycling bins
that were placed before the study was conducted.
Step 3: After identifying the common points of consumption. It will be assessed
how many recycling bins will be relocated and how many more will be needed
to buy.
Step 4: The recycling bins that were relocated as well as the ones that would
have to be bought would be placed in their designated areas.
Step 5: In order to know if the reform has made any significant change the
recycling bins contents height will be measured weekly for a period of 2
months.
Scope
The scope of this proposal is limited to the actions taken inside the campus. This
includes the actions taken on the recycling bins that are already in the UPRM and the
new bins that will be purchased and placed. The recycling bins transportation inside
the campus is also within this project proposals scope. However this project
proposals scope does not extend to the transportation of the recycled material
towards a recycling facility once it is recycled. In addition this project proposal only
seeks to provide the means for accessible recycling to take place inside the campus
and to survey the quantity of the recycled material by weekly observation of the
quantity of the bins recycling bins contents.
Methods
Recollection of Data
This project requires the pre- and post- collection of data. This pre- data will be
collected to identify the common points of consumption whereas the post- data
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will be collected to determine the progress of the project. The method that will
be employed to collect the data will be observation and measurement. The
same method will be applied for data that is pre- recollected and postrecollected. In detail the method consists in assigning each volunteer a certain
number of recycling bins for which they are responsible. Each volunteer must
measure the contents of the
Task Breakdown
Schedule
The schedule this proposal suggests is composed of three phases. The first
phase encompasses the survey that will be conducted to identify the common
areas of consumption in the UPRM. The second phase encompasses the steps
that will be taken after the common areas of consumption have been identified.
The latter includes the repositioning of the current recycling bins that are in
excess and the placement of the new recycling bins. The third and final phase
envelops the survey that will be conducted to study of how the recycling bins
location affected the amount of recycled plastic bottles. Conclusively this
project will start in January 2013 and end in April 2013.
Timeline
January 15 This is the day before classes begin. The 170 recycling bins that
are all ready on campus will be placed all around the campus in the common
points of consumption. Since there are 70 recycling bins that are in excess in
the areas they were previously located, they will be relocated to new areas.
January 29 This day marks the end of the preliminary two-week survey period;
by this date the common points of consumption will be identified thanks to the
two-week survey. In addition this day will be the day when the 330 new
recycling bins will be ordered.
February 6 Expected arrival of shipment of the 330 recycled bins will.
February 7 The second phase commences and ends this day. The newly
acquired bins will be placed on campus.
February 15 The second survey period and the third phase commences this
day and will continue for two months.

April 12 This day marks the end of the second survey period.
Time Distribution

Potential Complications
Potential problems that could afflict this project are the following:

Delays in the arrival of ordered materials.

Volunteers not fulfilling their duties accurately.

Solutions:

The ordered materials are a part of phase two, if there were to be a delay in the
arrival of the materials a week has been placed before the scheduled
commencement of phase three. This week allows extra days for the shipment

to arrive.
The coordinator of the recycling program, Mr. Roberto Torres Martinez, will
monitor the fulfillment of the volunteers duties. If Mr. Torres believes a
volunteer is not fulfilling his or her duties accurately they will be replaced.

Facilities and Equipment

The facility needed for this project is the storage facility in the UPRM. This facility will
be used to store the 330 new recycling bins once they arrive. This facility will only be
used for the storage of 330 recycling for a period of a day.
The equipment required for this proposal is the following:

500 recycling bins

500 recycling bin liners
5 of UPRMs pickup trucks
10

20 measuring tapes

Personnel
This project requires the assistance of 20 volunteers from Campus Verde, the assistance of
Mr. Roberto Torres Martinez and 5 drivers from the department of vehicles and
transportation of the UPRM.
Volunteers:
During the first phase of the project the 20 volunteers are required to be responsible
for the weekly checkup of the recycling bins. Each volunteer will be in charge of 8
recycle bins which they will have to measure every Friday until the first survey phase
is complete. The volunteers will use a tape measure to measure the content of each
recycle bin.
During the second phase 10 volunteers are required to place the new recycling bins
in the common points of consumption. For every two volunteers they will be
appointed a driver and a pick up truck to transport and place the recycling bins.
During the third phase 20 volunteers are required to be responsible for the weekly
checkup of the recycling bins. Each volunteer will be in charge of 25 recycle bins
which they will have to measure every Friday until the third phase is complete. The
volunteers will use a tape measure to measure the content of each recycle bin.
In addition, Mr. Roberto Torres Martinez will monitor the fulfillment of the volunteers
duties. Mr. Torres is the current coordinator of the recycling program.
Drivers:
The duties of the drivers rely on transporting and assisting the volunteers during the
first and second phases of the project.
Budget
The budget for this proposal is $40,000.00. The following table presents how the money will
be distributed. Table 1 presents the cost of the materials this project requires. The costs for
transportation expenses are added at the end of the table 1. Table 1 does not present
expenses for the 20 volunteers from because this project is an addition to Campus Verdes
recycling program and as so the volunteers perform duties without being offered a salary
for the work they perform. As the table illustrates the distribution of the budget allows the
creation of a $2,464,60 contingency fund to be used in for unexpected problems that could
affect the project.
Material Expenses:
Table 1

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Description

Quantity

Hexcycle IV 39 Green Recycling bin

Rate

330

$36.95

330

$21.95

330

$12.95

20

$21.95

20

$5.22

w/Bottle Flap
Hexcycle Wheel Set
Hexcycle Steel Floor
Green Hexcycle Liners
Komelon 12-fot Measuring Tape

Tax &Shipping
Transportation Expenses
Driver Expenses
Total

Amount
$18,475.00
$7,243.50
$4,273.50
$439.00
$104.40

$5,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$37,535.40

Conclusion
Conclusively, the most important goal this proposal aims to achieve is to increase the
amount of recycled bottles in the, thereby reducing the harmful impact that plastic bottles
have on the environment. Furthermore this proposal proposes a solution that is feasible and
can be acquired under a $40,000.00 budget. In addition, this proposal also seeks to inform
of the many damaging effects that plastic bottles have on the environment and how their
effects begin at their manufacture. The goals and objectives that this proposal strongly
suggests will increase recycling behavior by 65% if recycling bins are placed in the common
points of consumption.

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Appendixes

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Works Cited
Llanos, Miguel. "Plastic Bottles Pile up as Mountains of Waste." NBCNews. NBC, 2005. Web.
Dec. 2012. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5279230/page/2/#.UMb_SKU3AwE>.
More recycling facts and statistics. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.environmentgreen.com/More_Recycling_ Facts_and_Statistics.html
O'Connor, R.,T., Lerman, D. C., Fritz, J. N., & Hodde, H. B. (2010). Effects of number and
location of bins on plastic recycling at a university. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
43(4), 711-5

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