"Understanding the Community's Behavior Towards Disposable Materials at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus"
The constant presence of trash found on the floor and the quantity of recyclable materials not being recycled at the UPR Rio Piedras is a worrisome matter due to the social and ecological impacts this causes. This situation, together with the fact that landfills are closing in the island and that only around 15% of materials are recycled, should create a sense of urgency to act in the government and on the population. To examine how the student community thinks about reducing, reusing and recycling, we developed a survey to analyze their material consumption and their knowledge of some facts about solid waste. Additionally, the trash found on the floor around campus was quantified for two weeks as well as the recyclable materials found in regular trash cans. The data collected was used to determine which building produced more trash, recycled less and where students were cleaner or where they left more waste behind. The analysis of this resulted in finding that the Humanities and General Studies buildings are the ones who waste the most recyclable materials in the regular trash cans. Additionally, almost half of the students do not use the recycling bins and a lack of education about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling was observed. The daily actions students do to reduce their wasted materials were also examined, showing very few quantities of students performing these like using a reusable bottle or bringing their own plates or cups for food and drinks. The action with most results, although only a 25% of those surveyed, was preventing to make copies of unnecessary papers. With these results we hope to work in proving the necessary information and present ideas to develop sustainable measures that will significantly reduce the solid waste problem on campus.
Authors: Odeh, A.; Aviles, C.; Ramirez, M.; Mattei, D.; Sang, M.
The constant presence of trash found on the floor and the quantity of recyclable materials not being recycled at the UPR Rio Piedras is a worrisome matter due to the social and ecological impacts this causes. This situation, together with the fact that landfills are closing in the island and that only around 15% of materials are recycled, should create a sense of urgency to act in the government and on the population. To examine how the student community thinks about reducing, reusing and recycling, we developed a survey to analyze their material consumption and their knowledge of some facts about solid waste. Additionally, the trash found on the floor around campus was quantified for two weeks as well as the recyclable materials found in regular trash cans. The data collected was used to determine which building produced more trash, recycled less and where students were cleaner or where they left more waste behind. The analysis of this resulted in finding that the Humanities and General Studies buildings are the ones who waste the most recyclable materials in the regular trash cans. Additionally, almost half of the students do not use the recycling bins and a lack of education about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling was observed. The daily actions students do to reduce their wasted materials were also examined, showing very few quantities of students performing these like using a reusable bottle or bringing their own plates or cups for food and drinks. The action with most results, although only a 25% of those surveyed, was preventing to make copies of unnecessary papers. With these results we hope to work in proving the necessary information and present ideas to develop sustainable measures that will significantly reduce the solid waste problem on campus.
Authors: Odeh, A.; Aviles, C.; Ramirez, M.; Mattei, D.; Sang, M.
"Identifying Concerns to Prevent environmental impact due to the purchase of bottled water at the College of Natural Sciences of UPR at Rio Piedras"
Abstract
The use of bottled water is directly related to the making of a larger carbon footprint, great quantities of waste, waste of water resources and human health hazards. In the island of Puerto Rico there is an excellent tap water quality, tested constantly and approved by the EPA and Health Department, but even though this is the case, people continuously buy bottled water. In the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, there is a constant waste problem related to the selling of water bottles due to the fact that about 30% of those sold are discarded in public places on a weekly basis and only a minimum quantity is deposited at recycling bins. Several approaches were made to study the reasons why people choose bottled water over tap. This study consisted of two surveys and a campaign, where the first survey investigated general knowledge about water and environmental conservancy and a second one helped analyze the effectivity of the campaign on students of the CNS. Some actions taken for the campaign were the presentation of a documental, showing an exhibition, water taste examinations, handing out information, offering interviews to radio and online news websites, among others. The two surveys, where ~200 people were interviewed for each, were analyzed and compared to reveal that 86% of students believe that water scarcity will affect them severely and 88% believe that water should be conserved, while the other 12% are either unsure of believe it is not necessary. Also, it revealed that even though most people learned about the negative effects of bottled water on the environment and health, more than half still buy the product and about 45% never realized that there are new, free and clean water fountains available at the CNS. In due course we will continue to expand the campaign and study possibilities to promote sustainable projects at the CNS and the UPRRP campus.
Authors: Odeh A, Cardé J, Ocasio Z, Encarnación Y, Morales N
The use of bottled water is directly related to the making of a larger carbon footprint, great quantities of waste, waste of water resources and human health hazards. In the island of Puerto Rico there is an excellent tap water quality, tested constantly and approved by the EPA and Health Department, but even though this is the case, people continuously buy bottled water. In the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, there is a constant waste problem related to the selling of water bottles due to the fact that about 30% of those sold are discarded in public places on a weekly basis and only a minimum quantity is deposited at recycling bins. Several approaches were made to study the reasons why people choose bottled water over tap. This study consisted of two surveys and a campaign, where the first survey investigated general knowledge about water and environmental conservancy and a second one helped analyze the effectivity of the campaign on students of the CNS. Some actions taken for the campaign were the presentation of a documental, showing an exhibition, water taste examinations, handing out information, offering interviews to radio and online news websites, among others. The two surveys, where ~200 people were interviewed for each, were analyzed and compared to reveal that 86% of students believe that water scarcity will affect them severely and 88% believe that water should be conserved, while the other 12% are either unsure of believe it is not necessary. Also, it revealed that even though most people learned about the negative effects of bottled water on the environment and health, more than half still buy the product and about 45% never realized that there are new, free and clean water fountains available at the CNS. In due course we will continue to expand the campaign and study possibilities to promote sustainable projects at the CNS and the UPRRP campus.
Authors: Odeh A, Cardé J, Ocasio Z, Encarnación Y, Morales N
Analyzing Energy Consumption and finding sustainable methods to prevent ecological impact in the College of Natural Sciences, UPR Río Piedras Campus
Abstract
As irregular natural disasters occur and additional scientific data is collected, scientists conclude that, for our safety, climate change is something that needs to be fought against. For this same reason, many universities worldwide have adapted sustainable practices to their campuses and have successfully reduced not only their carbon footprint but their bills. In this study at the College of Natural Sciences, the areas that cause an ecological impact related to electricity have been analyzed. This study consisted of the quantification of all the lights, doors and windows that affect the balance of air conditioner, research of the energy that the university consumes and an education campaign. Through this process, there was a calculation of the illumination completed, which sums up to consume around 3,000 kilo watts every day and results to produce more than a thousand kilograms of CO2 to our atmosphere at the same rate. For this reason, methods to consume less energy have been analyzed. These could be implanted to the illumination system and reduce the building’s carbon emission up to only 664 kg per day. Also, by setting regular temperatures on the air conditioning system and making changes to doors and windows, great quantities of energy could be economized, together with its cost. With the development of this sustainable building project, the College of Natural Sciences will be able to join the list of universities who are committed to sustainability and also have well educates students on the subject of climate change.
Authors: Odeh, A ; Salazar, M; Paniagua, R; González, N;
As irregular natural disasters occur and additional scientific data is collected, scientists conclude that, for our safety, climate change is something that needs to be fought against. For this same reason, many universities worldwide have adapted sustainable practices to their campuses and have successfully reduced not only their carbon footprint but their bills. In this study at the College of Natural Sciences, the areas that cause an ecological impact related to electricity have been analyzed. This study consisted of the quantification of all the lights, doors and windows that affect the balance of air conditioner, research of the energy that the university consumes and an education campaign. Through this process, there was a calculation of the illumination completed, which sums up to consume around 3,000 kilo watts every day and results to produce more than a thousand kilograms of CO2 to our atmosphere at the same rate. For this reason, methods to consume less energy have been analyzed. These could be implanted to the illumination system and reduce the building’s carbon emission up to only 664 kg per day. Also, by setting regular temperatures on the air conditioning system and making changes to doors and windows, great quantities of energy could be economized, together with its cost. With the development of this sustainable building project, the College of Natural Sciences will be able to join the list of universities who are committed to sustainability and also have well educates students on the subject of climate change.
Authors: Odeh, A ; Salazar, M; Paniagua, R; González, N;
Water and plastic bottles: Understanding key issues to develop sustainable initiatives in the College of Natural Sciences of UPR’s Rio Piedras Campus
Abstract
The increasing use of bottled water by Puerto Rican’s to satisfy their daily needs not only represents an additional expense for them in an island where millions of dollars are invested to provide potable water, but also an increasingly large component of their landfill and carbon footprint. Centering on the main building (NCN) of the College of Natural Sciences Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico we combined multiple approaches, including interviews with administrators and suppliers of bottled water, inventories of the water infrastructure, and surveys to students and faculty, to understand the campus policy regarding the supply of potable water, the level of understanding that students and faculty have about sustainability, including patterns of water consumption. In NCN 16 out of 24 water fountains are non-functional. This gives student and faculty members no other choice but to purchase bottled water from vending machines. Two companies distributing different bottled water brand names sign three-year contracts with the university to supply this service. Approximately 700 bottles of water are sold on a weekly basis in NCN, and at least 200 of these are discarded in public areas, ultimately ending in the trash during cleaning. The survey revealed that >50% of the respondents bought water continuously, >50% of the respondents bought water because they were disgusted with the state of the water fountains and did not find any other source of potable water, >50% of the respondents spent $2.5 per week purchasing bottled water, and almost everybody would like to save the money spent in purchasing water. Most people did not know the meaning of carbon footprint. Bottles collected during a 3-week period by 5 students were used in an art project displayed on the main plaza of NCN as part an outreach program that was designed to sensibilize students and faculty about the problem. Ultimately we want to develop in our college, and more broadly in our campus, a sustainability initiative.
Authors: K.. Wagner, A. Odeh, M. Alejandro, G Collazo, S Ramos, .A Rivera, F. Rodriguez and C. Restrepo
The increasing use of bottled water by Puerto Rican’s to satisfy their daily needs not only represents an additional expense for them in an island where millions of dollars are invested to provide potable water, but also an increasingly large component of their landfill and carbon footprint. Centering on the main building (NCN) of the College of Natural Sciences Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico we combined multiple approaches, including interviews with administrators and suppliers of bottled water, inventories of the water infrastructure, and surveys to students and faculty, to understand the campus policy regarding the supply of potable water, the level of understanding that students and faculty have about sustainability, including patterns of water consumption. In NCN 16 out of 24 water fountains are non-functional. This gives student and faculty members no other choice but to purchase bottled water from vending machines. Two companies distributing different bottled water brand names sign three-year contracts with the university to supply this service. Approximately 700 bottles of water are sold on a weekly basis in NCN, and at least 200 of these are discarded in public areas, ultimately ending in the trash during cleaning. The survey revealed that >50% of the respondents bought water continuously, >50% of the respondents bought water because they were disgusted with the state of the water fountains and did not find any other source of potable water, >50% of the respondents spent $2.5 per week purchasing bottled water, and almost everybody would like to save the money spent in purchasing water. Most people did not know the meaning of carbon footprint. Bottles collected during a 3-week period by 5 students were used in an art project displayed on the main plaza of NCN as part an outreach program that was designed to sensibilize students and faculty about the problem. Ultimately we want to develop in our college, and more broadly in our campus, a sustainability initiative.
Authors: K.. Wagner, A. Odeh, M. Alejandro, G Collazo, S Ramos, .A Rivera, F. Rodriguez and C. Restrepo
