CHELSEA EICKLEBERRY
NREM MAJOR AT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
TO CONCLUDE
The results of our project showed that having a dual recycling and trash bin increased the amount of correctly disposed of items. Near the end of the project, we decided it would be best to transfer the project's future installment to the Student Government Association on campus.
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Though the bins have not been used on a widespread scale, on my daily walks to class I can now see official dual-bin designs being placed one by one and it is heart warming to all members involved to see change on campus that we had initiated ourselves and successfully followed through on.
OUR WORKING FINAL MODEL
PLACED IN FOOT TRAFFIC CROSSROADS BETWEENÂ BRACKEN LIBRARY AND NOYER HALL COMPLEX ON BALL STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
Our educational design changed going into final production, however our aim was to more clearly indicate which types of trash should go where, to make it certainly visible to passerby.
[Created from a purchased trash bin, blue and black trash bags, cardboard, and paper print]
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SO AFTER DEVELOPING OUR PLAN FURTHER,
WE BUILT A PROTOTYPE MODEL
This prototype included a dual-bin design that allowed for one unit to be placed while incorporating areas for both trash and recycling together. Additionally, our design includes signage meant to simply educate those using the bins about some general objects which can be recycled or should be thrown away.
[Created using cut cardboard, colored pencils and plastic bag to simulate trash bag]
MAP OF BIN LOCATIONS
Our first step was to find where which bins were and weren't. We interpreted our data based on landmarks, common knowledge for those traveling campus daily, and personal observations. As the map shows, recycling bins were often not placed near trash bins for ease of access.
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We decided we wanted to change that.
RECOGNIZING THE RECYCLING PROBLEM
THE FIRST STEP TO OUR SOLUTION
While discussing ideas for our project, we realized that recycling was a PROBLEM.
If students had something to throw away, they would. However if they had something to recycle, they would throw it away anyway.
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We came to find that having spread out and separate trash and recycling bins do not encourage recycling. If a trash bin is closer, students will not take the extra time to go to a recycling bin.
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Recycling education among our peers was somewhat lacking. We found through conversation and interviews that students did not always know what could and could not be recycled, or that throwing trash in recycling bins could cause problems.
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BALL STATE RECYCLING BIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT
COMPLETED AS ASSIGNMENT FOR NREM101 CLASS
Hello, and welcome to the website for research collected during my work with this class project. I worked with a group of peers, including Hannah Gastineau, Lizzie Bernard, Will Boston, and Patrick Macy, all of whom are students at Ball State University. This project was conducted as a group effort and would not have been completed without the involvement of everybody.