Project Proposal For Increased Number

Of Recycling Bins Around Campus

Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University has made efforts to become eco-friendly, but some attempts

have missed the mark. There are still issues that need to be resolved and some are quick and

simple fixes. One issue that I would like to focus on is the amount of recycling bins around

campus. In some areas there are many bins within close proximity of each other, which is great,

but then there are areas around campus with few and far between. This makes it inconvenient to

some students, where garbage receptacles are their easiest option. In an attempt to promote

eco-friendly and environmental awareness, I propose that we increase the amount of recycling

bins around campus, and here is why...

Significance of Problem

Around campus, garbage is thrown around everywhere. The amount of litter around

campus can be resolved by making recycling bins more accessible to students. Additionally,

garbage receptacles are placed throughout campus with no recycling options in sight. This

creates an issue where recyclable items are thrown in with other waste and taken to landfills

instead of being repurposed. Pollution isn’t just affecting the aesthetics of our surroundings, but

it is also harming natural habitats for animals both on land and at sea, and creating an overall bad

environment for flora as well.

Data

When interviewing students around campus, I took a random sample of 50 students, with

three questions on a numerical scale, and one question about their concerns worth mentioning.

● On a scale from 1-5, 1 being “Not Very Important” and 5 being “Very Important”;

How important is recycling to you personally?

-The average response was...

● On a scale from 1-5, 1 being “Not Very Eco-Friendly” and 5 being “Very

Eco-Friendly”; How ecological do you think EMU’s campus is?

-The average answer was…

● On a scale from 1-5, 1 being “Not Very Important” and 5 being “Very Important”;

How important do you think it is to increase accessibility of recycling

receptacles?

-The average answer was…

● Some concerns worth mentioning?

-Example 1

-Example 2

-Example 3, and so on...

Statistics

According to ____, studies show….

Course of Action
 To resolve the issue of making Eastern Michigan University’s campus more eco-friendly,

we need to place more recycling bins around trash cans. By doing this, it also makes recycling as

accessible as throwing items in the garbage. Possibly matching the amount of recycling bins to

trash cans ratio can help achieve our goal becoming more ecologically responsible.

Probable Cost and Funding

Depending on what style the University wants to aesthetically achieve and reasonable for

the locations (indoor, outdoor, residential, industrial, etc.), recycling bins can range from

$14-849 each. Ideally the school will provide anywhere around 50 additional recycling bins,

since there are many pre-existing ones and some locations not needing more. Starting small, but

in the long run, helping the earth. Approximately, the school can expect the cost to lay between

$700-42,450. Obviously it is up to the school’s discretion to pick which type of bin fits the needs

for the placement of it properly, which varies the price. Also, I am sure the school can find more

affordable options by buying in bulk or searching for discounts. If you think about it, at most it’s

just the cost of Out-of-State tuition for one student.

Conclusion

Overall, in an attempt to make Eastern Michigan University more “green” (pun intended),

we need to increase the amount and frequency of recycling receptacle options around campus.

This promotes constructive habits for students, cleans our surroundings, protects wildlife, and

repurposes something that can be used once again in the future. I hope you take this proposal into
consideration because it is not only beneficial to the university, but the students and the planet

we inhabit.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Alyssa Saladino

(734) 489-2956

asaladin@emich.edu