How It Can Be Done Essays Example

Environmental consciousness is becoming an increasingly pertinent matter in today’s world. Many movements have emerged to advocate for a greener world. Precisely, the concept of ecological conservation deserves attention, starting with our respective courtyards. Most CSUN students throw the plastic cups into the trash because they are unaware of the recycling alternatives. It is with this in mind that I am writing a proposal for CSUN five-year green environment initiative. Precisely, the goal is to have CSUN become greener friendly with the cups used on campus.

Achieving this project will require team efforts. The project will need research assistants at the onset of its different studies. As well, it will need people to do publicity for the initiative. Technically, this will need graphics people and media personnel. In addition, there will be a need for a think tank to formulate promotional activities to encourage responsible disposal of the cups among the students. For instance, they can devise a reward scheme for the total full trashcans disposed of in the university dumping areas per location in the university.
The project will work closely with the university administration and, most importantly, with the students. Strictly speaking, it will involve campaigns for recruiting interested students for the venture.
A Waste Audit will be of the essence in realizing the state of CSUN’s waste levels and opportunities for recycling. The audit report will assist in setting the goals for the first year of the project. As well, the project will conduct a feasibility study to assess the viability of the initiative. Accordingly, it can involve a pilot project to test its effectiveness in the initial phase (Sustainability Report 4).

How it could work

Given intensive collaborative approach to the initiative, many students accept this idea. Firstly, and of the essence, the students will require education and awareness on the dangers of irresponsible cup disposal. The idea behind the awareness is to empower the students with the relevant knowledge on the effects and dangers of haphazard litter disposal. For instance, O’Brien’s estimates for the environmental cost of plastics in the USA are of paramount importance in educating the students. According to the report, it takes about 700 years before plastic bottles begin to decompose. Surprisingly, once they begin to decay, they can take up to 1000 years to decompose completely. Most water bottles contain a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA). Typically, this chemical is a hormone-disrupting chemical responsible for obesity, reproductive abnormalities, and insulin resistance (O’Brien 4).

What it would cost

The cost of this project depends on the number of plastic cups disposed of in a semester. Thus, there will be a study of the eating, drinking, and disposal trends of the CSUN students. Recycling is an important step in this project. Recycling will help in making constructive use of the campus plastic wastes.

The tentative budget for the first phase of the project is as follows actual cost of (O’Brien 4)

Average monthly Transport for collecting the cups- $2000
Average monthly Transport to the recycling factory- $3000
Breaking down the compostable cups per month is approximately- $2000
Publicity and Student Education- $2000
Miscellaneous expenses- $1000
Total monthly cost- $10000
Method of communicating the change to the students
Under this part, the major area of concern will be the modes of expressing the idea and how the students can become involved. As well, part of the awareness will involve telling them the various options at the disposal of the cups. Precisely, this section will include the different approaches they can take in recycling the cups. Another idea is to have the university management buy durable re-usable cups. Carabiners can help to make the bottles more mobile and portable. A good example of this is the Nalgene “On the Fly” model (O’Brien 5). To sum, this project can be of significant benefit to CSUN in realizing the green environment. Thus, there is a need for concerted efforts from all angles.

Work Cited

“Sustainability Report 2015”. EcoProducts. EcoProducts Inc. 1993-2015. PDF File.
O’Brien, Emellie. Going Green & Saving Green: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Sustainable Filmmaking, 2014. PDF File.