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Recycling Matters: A Study on Improving University Recycling Programs

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Conference

Middle Atlantic ASEE Section Spring 2021 Conference

Location

Virtual

Publication Date

April 9, 2021

Start Date

April 9, 2021

End Date

April 10, 2021

Page Count

13

DOI

10.18260/1-2--36316

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/36316

Download Count

1436

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Paper Authors

biography

Elizabeth Dellorco Rowan University

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Elizabeth is a sophomore chemical engineering major at Rowan University. Her interests include helping the environment and promoting sustainability. She has also done research on machine learning with applications for teaching in schools. Some of her other interests include musical performance, German language studies, and literature.

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biography

Anthony Vinh Bui Rowan University

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Hello, my name is Anthony Bui. I am an aspiring mechanical engineering student at Rowan University and am apart of various organizations. I am Student Government Representative of the Vietnamese Association, and Service chair of AIAA.

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biography

Jacqueline Johnson Rowan University

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Jacqueline Johnson is a honors sophomore Mechanical Engineering major at Rowan University. She’s involved in ASME, EWB, and is a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient. She hopes to pursue a career in packaging or materials engineering.

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Matthew McBride Rowan University

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Hello I am Matthew McBride and I am a Sophomore Mechanical Engineering student at Rowan University. I am a member of the Bantivoglio Honors Concentration in the Honors College. I am also a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Co-founder and Vice President of the Rowan Spikeball Club, and Silver Leadership Path. I am interested in furthering my understanding in how I will be able to make the world a better place as an Engineer.

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Abstract

This study of the recycling process at (unnamed university) was undertaken with the goal of revealing and solving such issues as an overabundance of recycling waste incorrectly thrown in different waste areas, an insufficient supply of recycling waste bins, and a lack of knowledge on recycling in general at (unnamed university). To solve these issues, we aim to increase the knowledge of faculty and students and the availability and convenience of receptacles, thereby decreasing the trash-waste and confusion. Our solutions to these problems start with providing recycling cans everywhere a trash bin would be available while also making them noticeably different to prevent confusion. The next goal would be to inform new students of the recycling options available to them by providing freshman students with small pamphlets at orientation with general information on recycling at (unnamed university). We would also provide these pamphlets to each on-campus student in their dorm when they move in along with a reusable metal straw to decrease plastic use. To remind students about important recycling knowledge, we will have 13 posters up throughout campus at each eatery in case students forget what can be recycled. Finally, to clarify our main goal, we would ask for a speaker, hopefully the Dean of the School of Earth & Environment, to speak about recycling at each orientation session in the summer. Our projects would result in a total cost of approximately $46,093.72 and take 14 weeks to implement all our suggestions. Despite the pandemic, this objective towards limiting our environmental impact in terms of our recycling issue at (unnamed university) is still very important, and, keeping current pandemic guidelines and restrictions in mind, it will be adapted appropriately to ensure health and safety guidelines are met.

Dellorco, E., & Bui, A. V., & Johnson, J., & McBride, M. (2021, April), Recycling Matters: A Study on Improving University Recycling Programs Paper presented at Middle Atlantic ASEE Section Spring 2021 Conference, Virtual . 10.18260/1-2--36316

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