Proposal Narrative
1. Sustainability Outcomes
This project’s purpose will be to reduce the waste produced on campus. By providing re-usable water bottles for students and educating them on the benefits of eliminating the use of disposable plastics, we can then track the number of disposable plastic bottles sold on campus. Comparing the current number of plastic bottles sold with a base year, we can determine the effectiveness of subsidizing stainless steel water bottles. Also, it is possible to track students’ knowledge of proper recycling methods through an annual survey. Ideally, we would want to see an increase in survey scores as the program progresses and improves. In providing information on how to recycle properly and eliminate unnecessary waste, this program will reduce the amount of fossil fuels burnt in the manufacturing process of disposable plastics, while decreasing the amount of otherwise recyclable material ending up in a landfill.
2. Scale/Scope of the Project
During the first time (September of 2011) of which this project will take place, we plan to run a Cube-Fest event, as well as 5 recycling workshops in the following 2 weeks. After receiving constructive criticism on how the recycling workshops are run, it is possible to expand upon the number of those seminars conducted. It would be ideal to eventually mandate that Resident Assistants take their floor to through these workshops, so that the recycling culture of students is properly implemented early on in their college careers. However, before this is done, it is necessary to conduct a trial run of the workshops to work out the imperfections.
3. Timeline
Once approved and funded, it will take approximately a semester to gather the data necessary and implement the program for the upcoming school year. In allowing a semester for the figuring of logistics, we will be able to produce a well-structured recycling workshop program, as well as plan an enthralling Cube-Fest event that will capture students’ interest in promoting sustainability.
4. Learning Outcomes
This program is centered on creating awareness of the amount of waste humans produce. The Cube-Fest event will inform incoming freshman on the importance of proper recycling methods, UWEC’s stance and action for sustainability, as well as the connection between the negative effects of producing unnecessary waste on the environment. The recycling workshops will delve further into these issues and condition the motivated student attendees on how to effectively spread what they’ve learned to fellow classmates.
5. Visibility/Awareness and Learning Opportunities of the Project
To attract the largest amount of the student population possible, we plan on running an extensive advertising campaign. We want to incorporate the help of UWEC housing and residence, RA’s, and FYE classes to build hype and attract people to attend the Cube-Fest event. With the aid of these groups, we will be able to reach out to most, if not all, incoming freshman. The transition into college life and living on one’s own is a critical time period, which plays a major role in the formation of the habits students take with them throughout life. Therefore, in reaching out to the youngest students’ we can build a healthy recycling culture on campus early on, which will sustain into their future. In addition, this program will promote incoming freshman awareness and therefore involvement of the EEC and UWEC’s sustainability initiatives.
6. Outreach
We hope to partner with Eau Claire County’s recycling program to develop the substance of the recycling workshops. In addition, we hope to form connections with local food businesses that promote sustainability (e.g.: Just Local Foods, Hahn’s Market, local famers’ market) to provide food for the recycling Cube-Fest event.
7. Data Collection
In the developing and trial stages, this project will allow for marketing data to be collected on consumer behavior. Research can be conducted on the best possible methods of connecting with adolescents on the importance of proper recycling methods, as well as environmental conservation.