MEMORANDUM
To: Dr. Erika Paterson
From: Zhe Su
Date: July 10, 2020
Subject: Progress Report on Promoting Garbage Classification Policy in China
A formal progress report detailing the key factors and progression for the formal report has been created as per requested in the Unit 2:3 assignment instructions. The formal report’s outline had been already completed and is currently under review. Feedback with regards to the scope and process of the formal report is most welcomed.
Audience: The formal report is primarily intended for the premier of China, Keqiang Li, and will be shared with the highest level officials at the province level. Keqiang Li had announced the promotion of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) classification in the Government Report published in 2017. The target audience have a vested interest in the success of the MSW classification policy.
Purpose: The purpose of the report is to highlight the effectiveness of the current MSW classification scheme and to identify some of the obstacles that prevents the successful adaptation of the scheme.
Significance: The report is of importance to the readers as they would be able to identify how effective the current scheme is, and why it may not be as effective as intended. By identifying the areas of weakness and barriers that prevent the citizens from adjusting to the garbage classification scheme, the government officials would be able to roll out changes that may help address these issues.
Research Plan:
- Distribute the survey to the general public through BBS forums and other online platform in a few major cities – this will prevent a pile up of flyers that may not be the most environmental friendly choice
- Collect statistics on the MSW reports by cities prior to the policy
- Collect statistics on MSW post policy
- Analyze response to surveys in conjunction with the change in MSW statistics
Writing Schedule:
- Write survey questions – completed
- Distribute surveys – pending approval
- Collect statistics indicated above – Week of July 21st
- Analyze survey response – July 27-28
- Prepare and publish initial draft of formal report – before Aug 1
Thank you for your Progress Report. I have a few comments and corrections for your consideration:
• Survey Introduction needs to include this sentence for ethical reasons: “Your responses are voluntary and anonymous.” Please correct on your survey
• Survey should be submitted online please, not on a document.
The survey questions need correcting – take out the pronouns and make the question impersonal.
For example:
INCORRECT:
1) If (Never) or (Occasionally), what issues are preventing you from classifying your garbage more frequently?
a. Too much time involved
b. Categories are too confusing
c. Don’t see a need for the classification policy
d. Both a & b
Other: (Please specify) __________________________________
CORRECTION:
1) What makes garbage difficult to classify?
a. Too much time involved
b. Categories are too confusing
c. Classification policy is unnecessary
d. Both a & b
Other: (Please specify) __________________________________
ANOTHER EXAMPLE:
Incorrect:
1) How do you feel about the current categories (Dry, Wet, Recyclable, Hazardous) used to classify the garbage?
a. All the categories make perfect sense – easy to classify and understand
b. Some categories make sense while others are more difficult to identify
c. None of the categories are intuitive to understand
Correct:
2) The current categories (Dry, Wet, Recyclable, Hazardous) used to classify the garbage:
a. make perfect sense – easy to classify and understand
b. Some categories make sense while others are more difficult to identify
c. None of the categories are intuitive to understand.
Please make these corrections before posting your surveys. Thank you.