Feedback: Concept 2 - Reuse I think this idea could be helpful in the efforts to recycle, but it may be too tedious of a task to implement. In addition to finding someone to constantly clean the bottles, you would need to find a spot to store the glass (storage seems to be a big problem at Owen).
Taking bottles collected at Owen to a recycling center seems like a logical solution to the current glass recycling problem. Combining concept 1 with the other proposal to negotiate with Owen clubs to take responsibility for the glass bottles would address the listed constraints of finding someone to transport the bottles. Also, the challenge of changing students habits/behaviors is a tough one to overcome. I would think that the more you can replicate the current recycling system and apply it to glass bottles, the more likely it is that your innovation will be adopted and successful.
Concept 2 I like the thought behind this idea as well, and am a huge proponent for recycling. However, I am also a fan of cleanliness and avoiding the spread of bacteria. I worry that selling re-used bottles at MapCo has potential to spread disease, and that other students would have the same concern. Along those same lines, I wonder if some of the alternate re-uses are may be unsafe...glass bowling pins leading to broken glass on the floor...
Another question I had in mind relates to responsibility. Would this idea require MapCo to hire an additional employee to take on the additional work associated with washing the bottles? Or would you consider working with Net Impact, having members volunteer?
Concept 1 - This definitely makes sense to me, it's just getting a few receptacles in place and raising awareness that they are available. Perhaps you could pair with Net Impact and 100% Owen to have a COTC battle during the first week of implementation to raise awareness and then tell people to keep looking for those bins in the future. The other piece is working with the janitorial staff to ensure that they know what to do with the glass as they go around in the evenings. Another fear to consider is that glass breaks, creates sharps and can injure someone, so it will be important to have proper containers and bags in place so that the collector doesn't get hurt.
This seems to be the most effective method for recycling, and I agree that costs and finding someone to transport would be challenging. Maybe there are other schools at Vanderbilt that are already recycling glass bottles, which would make it easier to share the costs and responsibilities. I also think combining this idea with the promoting awareness concept would help change behaviors and students would be more likely to recycle glass. If you include COTC points, this could be another motivating factor.
Concept 1: I am somewhat skeptical of this idea. Is there some other constraint around recycling glass that we are not thinking about because I don't understand why we currently recycle plastic, paper, and aluminum, but we don't do glass?
As it stands I think we have some issues around students not putting items into their proper bins, so it's questionable whether they would make a better effort with a fourth recycling bin. Your outreach options might have to be considered with this solution.
Reuse: I really like this concept at it is going beyond the obvious solutions. Using the bottles at kegs may turn out to be really interesting for example, and has the potential to get the student body involved in the project and excited about it. So this may have the effect of increasing awareness about recycling among the Owen community in general. As with all good ideas, the problem may be execution e.g. cleaning and sterilizing the bottles, etc. Some of the other ideas involving alternative uses of the bottles (other than drinking) do not face the same level of constraints though. I do think that if the execution constraints can be resolved, and the right mix can be found for how much to sell for alternative use and how much to reuse for drinking, this has the potential to be an excellent idea.
Concept 1: I like this idea! As someone who recycles glass, I am pretty attuned to the dangerous aspect of this project. My suggestion is to set up a receptacle that is flat and where people can place their glass bottles, etc. standing up - not where they throw it in like we do with paper and plastic. Overall, I think this is a great idea.
Feedback: Concept 2 - Reuse
ReplyDeleteI think this idea could be helpful in the efforts to recycle, but it may be too tedious of a task to implement. In addition to finding someone to constantly clean the bottles, you would need to find a spot to store the glass (storage seems to be a big problem at Owen).
Concept 1
ReplyDeleteTaking bottles collected at Owen to a recycling center seems like a logical solution to the current glass recycling problem. Combining concept 1 with the other proposal to negotiate with Owen clubs to take responsibility for the glass bottles would address the listed constraints of finding someone to transport the bottles. Also, the challenge of changing students habits/behaviors is a tough one to overcome. I would think that the more you can replicate the current recycling system and apply it to glass bottles, the more likely it is that your innovation will be adopted and successful.
Concept 2
ReplyDeleteI like the thought behind this idea as well, and am a huge proponent for recycling. However, I am also a fan of cleanliness and avoiding the spread of bacteria. I worry that selling re-used bottles at MapCo has potential to spread disease, and that other students would have the same concern. Along those same lines, I wonder if some of the alternate re-uses are may be unsafe...glass bowling pins leading to broken glass on the floor...
Another question I had in mind relates to responsibility. Would this idea require MapCo to hire an additional employee to take on the additional work associated with washing the bottles? Or would you consider working with Net Impact, having members volunteer?
Concept 1 - This definitely makes sense to me, it's just getting a few receptacles in place and raising awareness that they are available. Perhaps you could pair with Net Impact and 100% Owen to have a COTC battle during the first week of implementation to raise awareness and then tell people to keep looking for those bins in the future. The other piece is working with the janitorial staff to ensure that they know what to do with the glass as they go around in the evenings. Another fear to consider is that glass breaks, creates sharps and can injure someone, so it will be important to have proper containers and bags in place so that the collector doesn't get hurt.
ReplyDeleteConcept 1
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be the most effective method for recycling, and I agree that costs and finding someone to transport would be challenging. Maybe there are other schools at Vanderbilt that are already recycling glass bottles, which would make it easier to share the costs and responsibilities. I also think combining this idea with the promoting awareness concept would help change behaviors and students would be more likely to recycle glass. If you include COTC points, this could be another motivating factor.
Concept 1: I am somewhat skeptical of this idea. Is there some other constraint around recycling glass that we are not thinking about because I don't understand why we currently recycle plastic, paper, and aluminum, but we don't do glass?
ReplyDeleteAs it stands I think we have some issues around students not putting items into their proper bins, so it's questionable whether they would make a better effort with a fourth recycling bin. Your outreach options might have to be considered with this solution.
Reuse: I really like this concept at it is going beyond the obvious solutions. Using the bottles at kegs may turn out to be really interesting for example, and has the potential to get the student body involved in the project and excited about it. So this may have the effect of increasing awareness about recycling among the Owen community in general. As with all good ideas, the problem may be execution e.g. cleaning and sterilizing the bottles, etc. Some of the other ideas involving alternative uses of the bottles (other than drinking) do not face the same level of constraints though. I do think that if the execution constraints can be resolved, and the right mix can be found for how much to sell for alternative use and how much to reuse for drinking, this has the potential to be an excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteConcept 1: I like this idea! As someone who recycles glass, I am pretty attuned to the dangerous aspect of this project. My suggestion is to set up a receptacle that is flat and where people can place their glass bottles, etc. standing up - not where they throw it in like we do with paper and plastic. Overall, I think this is a great idea.
ReplyDelete