The goal of our project has been to develop ideas and an action plan for UBC to pursue cleaner compost around Campus. After consultation with the clients and considering the scope of the project, we narrowed our view down to a long term proposal and a short term proposal. The short term proposal focused on recycling newspapers and using them as newspaper liners.A particular method of folding them so that they worked as a liner was researched, tested and determined. Furthermore, a video and bulletin board poster were created. The goals of the poster and the video are to inform students of the newspaper method and show them how to fold the newspaper. The long term plan focuses on taking unused and currently disposed of pulp from the pulp and paper center. Our proposal plans to ship the pulp out to a paper manufacturer where they can use our recycled pulp to create paper rolls that can be used for the compost liner. We first heard about his opportunity from our client and we established further communication with George Soong, the Safety and Operations Officer of the pulp and paper center who helped us understand the scope of the project and gave us samples of the paper that could be created out of the pulp they produce. Unfortunately we learned that the pulp and paper center does not have the space to create the compost liners on the scale that we intend and therefore, and outside manufacturer must be used if we are to recycle the pulp into paper (since UBC building a new multi-million dollar facility to do it is out of ours scope).
The paper George Soong provided us is stronger than everyday paper and was stronger than the prototype liner paper that were generously donated by UBC Campus & Community Planning. Through testing of the paper prototype we determined the pulp to paper liner would be a suitable solution.
In order to distribute the paper in a fair way to students, we designed a rough prototype using cardboard and paper towels to illustrate how UBC students could come up to the dispenser, tap their UBC Card and receive the compost liner. It was identified that a cost could then be associated with the liner and hopefully the funds collected through the dispenser would help to fund the program itself.
Many things worked well throughout the course of the project. We were very successful in working as a team and dividing up work evenly. In looking into possible solutions for compost liners, we split into three groups of two. This proved to be a very effective tactic. I would recommend this tactic for any group of people working on a project where several possible solutions need to be looked into. We made a video that demonstrates how to fold newspaper into a compost liner. This video was excellent, but unfortunately could not be shared with on this blog due to restriction in file sizes uploaded. It perfectly serves its purpose of being both educational and fun. In regards to the newspaper solution, we made sure to consider the human aspect (how willing students would be to actually participate in newspaper liners). This proved to be wise. Our team meetings were all quite effective. George or Jessica would generally lead which kept us unified and focused.
Many things worked out very well but there were few parts that the team needed extra work. For long term solution, we could have contacted local paper manufactures to discuss whether or not they would be willing to partner with UBC to convert the pulp from the Pulp and Paper center to liners. For the short term solution the team could have posted the video on a frequently visited website to inform students. As well, we could have researched other ways to fold the newspaper and determined the best one.
The team could have come with more specific solution and more work done so the client could satisfied with our solution if the team had more time. Generally, the project went very well and the team enjoyed!
The final solution to the compost bin problem was very well-rounded. The resolution was split into short term and long term solutions.
The short term solution was to fold newspaper to use as a liner. A video will be distributed on social media or UBC websites to instruct the techniques of folding to campus students. The newspaper will be distributed in common blocks of residences in UBC and also, potentially, in the Student Union Building with the imposing poster. Also the recycle bins just for the newspaper will be set so students can be green by using the used newspaper. This solution will resolve the problem immediately and will be very eco-friendly.
The long term solution will be making actual custom liners out of recycled pulp which the Pulp and Paper Centre of UBC has plenty to provide. The team estimated that 136,600 liners could be made out of this recycled pulp. This is considerably more than the current demand for liners, providing a safety margin for the growth of UBC composting within residences and faculty lounges. These custom liners will simply be large sheets of paper that can just be pressed into the pails. There might be a small price for these sheets to cover the costs. A cost a small as 10 cents could result in an income of $13,600. The advantage of this solution will be UBC will be able to put to use the wasted pulp due to research in the Pulp and Paper Center and the liners have the potential to be custom fitted, either by pre-existing creases or folds, to be carriable. As well, the paper produced by the waste pulp has a lower permeability than newspapers. In addition, the liners fit better than newspaper and do not leave gaps in-between the liner and the pail. There is still some research needed before the commencement of the implementation of this solution.