Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a Waste Stream Ana
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a Waste Stream Analysis Report.
Whether you live in a rural or urbanized area, waste is a byproduct of our existence. In an effort to better understand the production, disposal, and other issues related to waste, the final project for this course is the creation of an analysis paper on a local waste stream or local waste issue. You will identify a particular waste stream that is prominent in your town, city, region, or state. You will trace the waste from creation to disposal. You will also discuss disposal issues, alternatives to production, use, and disposal, as well as any environmental laws governing the disposal of the waste.
Monitoring and analyzing various waste streams is a very common practice in the United States. Waste stream analysis reports can be done at different levels: regional, state, or local, or even down to a particular business or building. Analyzing waste not only allows us to see what is being generated and disposed of, it also gives us a clue into society’s consumption habits. In addition, sorting the recyclable materials reduces landfill volume and generates income. If a business notices that its employees are discarding numerous plastic bottles, it may consider introducing a recycling plan to help reduce waste volume and help the environment. This type of analysis also helps identify any urgent or critical issues that may occur. For example, there have been instances of medical waste washing ashore in New Jersey and Corpus Christi, Texas, creating very unsafe and unhealthy environments.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Five. The Final Waste Analysis Report will be submitted in Module Seven and will be a summation of each milestone.
In this assignment you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Knowledge of Human Culture and the Physical and Natural World
How is waste defined by various cultural entities (political, social, economic, etc.)?
How does waste impact the environment?
How do we control waste in our society?
Critical and Creative Thinking
Begin to develop creative thinking skills by analyzing data and forming hypotheses
Apply scientific principles to make informed decisions
Personal and Social Responsibility
Recognize and act on essential components of academic integrity
Examine students’ perspectives of how they fit into the world community
Examine students’ responsibility as stewards of the environment
Integration, Application, and Reflection
Identify important connections between various areas of study
Become proficient at integrating and apply skills learned to everyday life
Demonstrate awareness of how waste impacts their daily lives
Prompt
You will choose one waste system or waste issue to investigate in detail throughout this course and develop a Waste Stream Analysis Report on the chosen waste, summarizing the required information. Understanding of the waste system and its generation, disposal, and societal implications will be explored through the preparation of three milestones and one final project.
The waste stream or waste issue should be local to you, meaning within your town, city, region, or state.
Your report will be structured with the following sections:
Title page
Introduction (abstract)
Body
Conclusion
Reference page
Specifically the following critical elements must be addressed:
In the report, you will define the waste stream or waste issue, explain the need for the product, including how it is used by society, and provide information on the production of the waste. You will investigate how the waste is typically disposed of in your area; this may be via landfill, incineration, or some other method. In this report, you will also investigate the possibility of alternatives to the production and disposal of the waste. You will also discuss the implications of this particular disposal method and its impact on society. You should include alternative disposal methods in your discussion. You will also discuss any environmental laws or regulations governing the disposal of the waste.
Introduction
Waste: Describe the waste stream or waste issue. What waste are you analyzing? Why did you choose this particular waste stream or issue?
Community: Describe the local community, including why the waste stream or waste issue is prominent here. It may be helpful to provide a brief history of the community and how it relates to the issue. If possible, provide properly cited graphics or images to support your descriiption.
Product Need: Provide a descriiption of the waste stream or waste issue, including information on the production of the waste and an explanation of the need for the product, including how it is used by society.
Production: Include details about production of the waste stream or waste issue. Is it generated in a particular place or area? If so, why? Include some relevant statistics about the volume produced. If possible, include supporting evidence such as graphics or images of the process or further detailing of the process.
Use: How is this product used by society? Why is it important to society?
Disposal Method: Provide a descriiption of how the product is disposed of in your area, including a discussion of the implications of this particular disposal method and its impact on society. Is it disposed of in a landfill? Is it incinerated? Are there any special disposal methods needed?
Alternatives
Production: Provide an analysis of alternatives to production. Be sure to include how and where it is produced.
Use: Discuss the use of this particular item, including possible alternatives. Is there another product that does the same thing with less waste? Could the item be redesigned in a way to produce less waste?
Disposal Methods: Discuss alternative disposal methods. Is the current method of disposal the best option? Are there any other suitable disposal alternatives?
Environmental Laws and Regulations: Describe any environmental laws, rules, or regulations governing the disposal of the waste, including your own analysis on the effectiveness of these laws.
Laws: Which law or laws apply specifically to this particular waste stream or waste issue? What does each laws say, and how it is applicable to this waste stream or waste issue?
Analysis: How effective is each law? Provide any suggestions on how to modify the law(s) to be more effective.
Future
Reflection: Include a discussion on how your practices fit into this particular waste stream or waste issue. How do you contribute to the waste stream or waste issue? How do you think you can make a difference in your own life regarding this issue?
Prediction: Discuss what you think the future of this waste stream or waste issue will be. Do you think the issue will improve or worsen? Why?
