Last Thursday, the environmental team of my school decided to make an experiment. With the help of our environmental teacher, who was very helpful, we searcher two of our schools rubbish and recycle bins.
Some years ago, the environmental department of my school decided to put recycling bins, along with the rubbish ones that already existed, all around our school, to promote recycling among youth. The bins have an appropriate sign to show that they are used for recycling. This action has led many of my fellow students to consider recycling, not only at school, but also at home. However, we have noticed that many students do not show interest in it, and they do not throw the recyclable waste in the proper bin.
The experiment that we decided to do is to take the waste out of one recycling bin and one conventional bin, to see how well waste is distributed, and whether each bin contains right waste.
We took some transparent bags, and we separated the waste, putting the organic waste in one bag and the recyclable waste in the other.
Recycle and Conventional bins
Separating wastes
The results!
We came up with the following very interesting results:
- The rubbish bin contained 3 kg of waste, while the recycle bin contained only 0.7 kg totally.
- In the rubbish bin, there was 1.5 kg of non-recyclable waste, but also 1.5 kg of recyclable waste!
- In the recycle bin there was 0.5 kg of recyclable material, and 0.2 kg of organic waste.
- In the conventional bin there was 3 TIMES MORE recyclable waste than in the recycle bin.
It is really worthwhile to observe that so many young people do not pay the necessary attention towards the important task of recycling. On the other hand, that makes us understand that we need further work to motivate our fellow students to the right use of the bin.
After we examined the matter, we came up to the conclusion that we have to plan to raise awareness, not just once, but repetitively, till a significant change appears in the way our fellow students recycle.
This will be achieved through presentations and posters, as well as discussions with our own schoolmates.
We are looking forward to observe the results in our work!
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13 Comments
Thank you Muhhamad. Indeed recycling needs to be repeated a lot of times. We have to do so.
Posted 01-12-2014 03:27
This is what i have been saying to people the whole time, increasing people awareness to recycle is a must-to-do thing not only once but repeatedly. Making it into a daily basis by doing it everyday and turning into a habit is the whole purpose, it requires a real good culture to do that, and what you've done is a really nice work! keep it up and spread the word!
Posted 27-11-2014 22:00
Thank you for sharing, Konstantinos- Eirinaios Tsiampouris!
Posted 27-11-2014 00:27
Thank you for your comment Tatiana. Could you please explain it more? What is the way you are separating wastes in your country and what is you would suggest?
Posted 24-11-2014 03:45
We also seperate rubbish but nowadays it is the moot point because for example in czech Republic and in Germany there is completely different ways of seperating rubbish and it is not always clear where recycling process is right.
Posted 23-11-2014 06:50
Thanks for sharing about the efforts you've put in for recycling bins followed by analysis . Sad that people are not disposing waste responsibly in proper designated bins. This clearly calls for frequent awareness sessions . Teach them about different kind of waste , what is recycleable , what is not. Then Conduct quiz asking them if they understood. Organise interactive sessions. I am sure once people are aware , analysis of waste collected would show better results.
Posted 22-11-2014 01:10
Wow, interesting! So, it means that recycling bin is not working as we expected. And most of people don't care about waste segregation. It seems that education on 3R must be widely done . It's shocking that conventional bin contained 3 times more recyclable waste...Thank you Konstantinos for the vivid research report!
Posted 20-11-2014 14:23
This is a really cool experiment! It is necessary that everyone has the habit of recycling. Keep going on spreading awareness :)
Posted 18-11-2014 23:26
Wow.That is such an awesome experiment Konstantinos! I love the way you established and planned the necessary objectives, materials, and ways in doing such. I love the way you conclude the experiment. We should increase the awareness of the youth in recycling not just once, but always in different and creative way they can remember always. Nice!
Posted 17-11-2014 12:21
Wow !Great initiative Konstantinos
Its really important to follow up on environment related projects to know that people actually use the dustbins correctly.
Its great to read your article plus the photos are good.
Keep up the good work.
Posted 17-11-2014 04:18
Recycling is seen as a waste of time in a lot of communities including mine, but it's time to raise awarness and motivate people through campaigns and programs into seeing that what they are doing is wrong in order for us to keep a sustainable environment
Posted 16-11-2014 21:53
Way to go!!!
Great job. Thanks for bringing thus issue.
Yes, time to time, awareness campaign, motivational and inspirational program need to be conducted.
While we are also going to set up dustbins(under our SEW project), we will make sure people are properly using it.
Posted 16-11-2014 20:16
You are right Konstantinos. Once is never enough. Raise the awareness, spread the word around. Motivate &convince the people. You will definitely see excellent results.
All The best & well Done.
Posted 16-11-2014 19:51