GVSU RECYCLES…EVEN MORE!!!

1. Team: 2B or not 2B Team Members: Sam Morsches-morsches@mail.gvsu.edu Sam Brown-brownsa@mail.gvsu.edu Sarah Hillenbrand-hillenbs@mail.gvsu.edu Danny Selgo-selgod@mail.gvsu.edu GVSU RECYCLES…EVEN MORE!!! Introduction The purpose of our proposal is to increase the amount of products that are recycled and decrease the amount of waste on campus. There are many areas that have trashcans but no recycling bins nearby, giving students no opportunity to recycle their paper, plastic, metal, and glass products. Outside, there are virtually no recycling bins for students to take advantage of while walking to a class or around campus. We hope to change this problem by putting new initiatives in place to boost recycling and composting on the Grand Valley State University campus. Background As the bottom graph and chart depict the amount of plastic bottles sold has dramatically increased since 1991, yet the rate of recycling has remained steady over the past 20 years (Hoy, n.d.). This has increased demand for recycling programs that can effectively address this issue. Our proposal has a very simple goal; to increase student participation in recycling at Grand Valley. We have noticed that, while Grand Valley does have many recycling opportunities available, these recycling opportunities only envelop certain areas of the campus, such as dorms, dining halls, and main buildings, and even then the availability of recycling opportunities are few and far between. On a casual observation, we noticed that there are next to no recycling bins on the commute paths from building to building. However, there are abundant trash receptacles, which means that any student who wishes to dispose of a beverage container or other recyclable item has to do so in the trash receptacle. Our idea was that if we simply placed a recycling bin next to every trash can, there would be far more opportunities to recycle for students. And this would ultimately increase recycling because, as the chart to the left shows, 20% of people who choose not to recycle do so because of the lack of availability (Corso, 2007). If we eliminate that problem by placing more receptacle bins across campus, we believe that campus recycling will increase. Abstract To reach our goal of decreasing waste on campus, we plan to put recycling bins next to every trashcan. We will start by implementing this in one area of campus, covering costs by a naming plan as discussed in the methods, and after a year’s time the amount of resources recycled in the area of campus where the change was implemented would be reviewed. If the change was successful, recycling bins could be placed next to all trashcans all over campus following the financial plan already laid out. Methods We realized for our project that the main problem of recycling on campus is that there are not enough available recycling bins along the commute routes. One specific time we realized this when we observed the low ratio of recycling bins to trash cans along the route from Niemeyer to Zumberge Library. Because of this, we set the focus of our project towards increasing the number of recycling bins around the campus. We feel that, with an increased number of bins, students will find it easier and more convenient to when on campus and that this will reduce the amount of waste that is exported from Grand Valley. In order to obtain these extra receptacles, we plan on organizing a special program in which those interested can purchase a recycling bin and have their name embossed on the side, similar to how a “buy-a-brick” campaign works. In this way, our goal can be accomplished, awareness about recycling can be spread, and sponsors can leave their marks on campus. (Corso, 2007) Rubbermaid Black Perforated Steel 25 Gallon $396.90 • Cost • To find the total cost of this initiative we would first need to decide on a suitable type of recycling bin that can be used around campus and that can be provided for a relatively low cost. Two recycling bins that we suggest are shown in the bottom left corner of this poster. After that is decided we would take the cost of the bin and multiply it by the number of garbage bins on campus. Unfortunately, as of this moment no such number exists in researchable form. However, we can estimate that 100-150 recycling bins would be effective in kicking-off our program. With this estimate, the total costs of the bins would be as follows: • Rubbermaid, black, perforated steel, 25 gal: • 100∙396.90=$39,690.00 • 150∙396.90=$59,535.00 • Rubbermaid, blue, plastic, 50 gal: • 100∙605.00=$60,500.00 • 150∙605.00=$90,750.00 References Corso, Regina. "One-Quarter Of Americans Do Not Recycle In Their Own Home.“ Harris Interactive 67 11 July (2007): 3. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. <http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research- FMI-recycling-column-2007-07.pdf>. Hoy, Valerie. PET Sales, Recycling, and Wasting. The Container Recycling Institute, Web. 17 Aug. 2011. <http://www.containerrecycling.org/facts/plastic/data/petsaleswasterc.htm>. Rubbermaid Black Perforated Steel 25 Gal Can / Bottle Recycling Can . Wassterstrom, 2011. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. <http://www.wasserstrom.com/restaurant-supplies- equipment/Product_161245>. Plaza Bottle & Can Recycling Container. Recycling Supply Co., 2009. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. <http://www.recyclingsupply.com/plazbotcanre.html>. (Rubbermaid Black Perforated Steel 25 Gal Can / Bottle Recycling Can, 2011) Rubbermaid Blue Plastic 50 Gallon $605.00 (Hoy, n.d.) (Plaza Bottle & Can Recycling Container, 2009)