E-Waste

Submitted by SamFavreau on Thu, 02/02/2012 - 14:54

the problem:

Cost effective way to dispose of, through recycling of eWaste- including old computers, tvs, monitors, video equipment and other related hardware.

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why it's important:

It keeps it out of the landfill. It recycles it the right way, getting rid of any hazardous materials appropriately, and recycles the usable materials with no cost to the school department.

the plan of action:

I worked with my father, to coordinate a recycling spot we could use, then gathered with the help of some friends, to palletize and pack the used equipment. We also opened it up to the school staff and had a "drop off" morning one weekend, if they had stuff they wanted to get rid of. We were able to recycle just under 3000 lbs, on 5 pallets, of eWaste, at no cost to the school.

how you can get involved:

Look for opportunities at local dumps, or town organizations- some even have fundraisers where you can dispose of your old eWaste/equipment safely.

project updates:

Submitted by merebrandon on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 13:47

the problem:

I am trying to eliminate the amount of recyclable goods thrown away each day at school and empower students to take responsibility for keeping their school green.

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why it's important:

Every year half of what we throw away in the trash can actually be recycled. I want to make it easier and clearer to students and community members just what can and cannot be recycled. By encorporating one-stop recycling bins into schools for those odd items recyclable items such as ziploc bags, juice pouches, ink cartitages, etc., we will be able to waste less and recycle more!

the plan of action:

First, I will work with my club members to design and create a recycling station to put up at their school. Second, club members will write and distribute articles and flyers to hand out to all students to start the recycling program. Third, students will monitor recycling bins and sort recyclables to be sent to Terracycle.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Take a break from stressful schoolwork by encouraging your family and friends to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover around the house. Follow these easy tips to create a better world and home.

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Submitted by maliyah2002 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 10:16

the problem:

I'm trying to solve a basic community problem. I want to educate the youth a find positive ways to keep them motivated with hands on participation from the community itself. Someone needs to take charge in this area to ensure we mold the youth in becoming assets to society and grow up being law abiding citizens with a goal of making this world better in every possible direction because we are losing our youth day by day and it's time to get them back because they are our future and they will have to run this world someday. We do not want to see America go down in flames, so we have to educate our youth.

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why it's important:

This project is important to me because I really care about where young people are heading and I feel like if I have an opportunity to make sure I guide thousands of children and teens in the right direction, I would do it. We all have some purpose here on earth and mine is to definitely help people, it's only fair.

the plan of action:

My plan of action is to get started writing grant proposals and look for sponsors. From then on, find some land and get started on how to administer this program in Memphis by all means and that includes making all proper notifications to government and filling out the proper paperwork. It won't be easy, but it will be worth the effort.

how you can get involved:

Others can easily help me by simply contacting me by email or visit me on facebook with ideas, connections, or words of wisdom. I can use all the help I can get.

project updates:

1 comment

Submitted by kvera5 on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:49

the problem:

In the environmental society we are helping to contribute to making the earths enviroment a better place to live in. We are making our own orgnaic gardens, recycling from the ocean, learning about animals conservation, global warming.

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why it's important:

It is important to me because it gives me an opportunity to learn as an indivdual and be more involved.

the plan of action:

my plan in action is to take our environmental society to the next level and protect our planet.

how you can get involved:

others can help by contributing to help keeping our planet clean, always recycle, protect the earths pollution, electricity, ect.

project updates:

Submitted by josh_sg1 on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 14:36

the problem:

I would like to make a universal paradise for everyone on the Planet through Investing and Inventing Technology and Extreme Science Advancements in Nano Technology that can do anything you can imagine, solve all your problems in any, create practically invincible anything, etc...

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why it's important:

I want to do it as I want to do something, anything to get the technology I want.

the plan of action:

I would like to create some inventions I design. I would like to do college, I want to be there to know graphic design and make money to invest with. There are small projects I can do with small amounts of money and there are large projects with a lot of money. Example: A Nano Technologically advanced Volumetric Molecular Scanner that can scan something and make a digitally programmed 3d working copy of it can work with a nano machine with a compupter where you can do anything you want to it instantly. That includes people, objects, items, anything you can think of, completely stop the need for farms and animals farming as all the acids and minerals can be practically instantly printed off a computer with this. I like to think it would cost around $990 Billion USD to design the Scanner. With the Scanner, it can be designed quickly and distributed everywhere. I am the only person in the universe that I know of actually doing something about it.

What I would like to do to make the money is make a Electric Generator that creates its own electricity to power things like helicopters and jets. I already design it and I can talk to engineers that can make it although it would be a hard concept as anyone I explain it to that thinks they know how to do it greater would just do it themselves, take small amounts of investment and the money that would be needed for the scanner would be distributed to lots of people at large companies an they wouldn't do anything to design the scanner. I would like to think that I would need more power from the electric generator as a idea to make people want to buy it. I design a lot of inventions and I can make designs and everything I would need to show engineers how to design them. The electric generator I design is about less than $100.00 in resources, and is less than a few LB's. It is in the shape of a acorn. I call it the Acorn. It is not all about the generator's. I design a lot of inventions and a lot of ideas, companies, etc... that are all amaing and I would like to think that people are interested in what I am interested in though I would like to be around people like that in college environment's.

how you can get involved:

People can work with me on project's and make money. People can invest with the company too.

project updates:

Submitted by Auburn Real Foo... on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:33

the problem:

We want to get more "real food" (local, ecologically sound, fair, and humane) into the food system of Auburn University (20% by 2020). Food consumption and production is the root of many issues of health and sustainability. Auburn, AL has much potential to grow its own food with abundant space and a long growing season. Many of the foods we commonly eat could be grown locally. Also, since everyone eats, we feel that working to make Auburn's food more sustainable is one of the most effective ways we can make Auburn a happier, healthier, and more environmentally aware campus and community. Our first garden will be in the middle of campus. We will be using edible landscaping to show students and faculty how beautiful gardens can be as well as how spaces can be used more functionally. Soon, we will be planting a much bigger organic garden, implementing many sustainable practices and ideas, in addition to many students from varying backgrounds and majors. We will all learn together what it takes to produce food organically and care for the earth. The plan is for the produce we grow to be used in an environmentally friendly, student-run cafe on Auburn's campus.

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why it's important:

I believe that Auburn is in great need of environmental projects that will employ the talents, skills, and perspectives of the entire student population for the sake of community, health, and environmental awareness. The food system of the entire world is very broken. I want to help motivate anyone who will listen to work for change and vote with his or her dollar (support fairly produced products and not the cheap alternative). Auburn, AL is a great place to live, but with stronger Sustainability and global awareness it would be even better!

the plan of action:

1) We already have a well-established chartered organization-just not much money. Our organization is divided into five committees: growing (gardening), farmers market improvement, public relations, Auburn dining services, and the Co-op (student cafe). Each of these segments is working toward a specific initiative to make the Real Food Challenge happen at Auburn. Our organization does many regular things to spread awareness and gain support from the community such as monthly potlucks, meetings with guest speakers, and field trips to local farms.
2) We are currently proposing to plant an edible garden outside of one of our major classroom buildings on campus. This garden will be a great way for us to demonstrate the feasibility and beauty of homegrown food. We plan to plant the garden Spring 2012, and our first harvest at the end of the semester will be used to make delicious food for an extra special potluck.
3) We also have two small fundraisers planned for Spring 2012. One is a sustainable chili cook-off where we will charge people to eat the chili, then give prizes to the winners. Another is a collaborative effort that will involve intities from across the campus-a "dorm sale". The idea behind this project is to have a yard sale during fall 2012 move-in to encourage people to consume less and reuse instead of throwing useable items away. We will have students donate stuff throughout the spring and summer, then we will sell it in August when students are moving into the dorms.
4) We are doing some serious networking in our area. We are trying to secure the use of grant funding through the Horticulture department here at the University. In addition to our fundraisers, we are also reaching out to local businesses and farmers. With our partners, the Auburn Real Food Challenge is forming a chapter of Slow Food USA in Auburn. Hopefully with more money and support, we will be able to plant our garden, and also get larger grants for our projects.
5) All the while, we are working directly with the Auburn Farmers Market as well as with our existing dining services at the University in order to improve the the food system which is already in place. These are the means by which we are striving to achieve the Real Food Challenge.
6) Our plans for the near future include the student food cooperative (serving food from the student gardens), and a food sustainability internship with AU Dining so that a passionate and knowledgeable student will be able to take charge of and prioritize improving Auburn's dining services.

how you can get involved:

The Auburn Real Food Challenge seeks and uses the input of any student or faculty member who cares about health, sustainability, community, food, or just real living. Our projects are very interdisciplinary and layered. Anyone can find a way to invaluably contribute to the Auburn Real Food Challenge. With our initial edible gardening project, Facilities at the University will allow us to use their tools and irrigation, the rest of the help will come from student gardening volunteers-some club members and some not.

project updates:

Submitted by elena8881 on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:12

plasticdress.jpg

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the problem:

The City of San Diego along with other municipalities statewide spend more than $25 million each year to clean up plastic single-use bags from public places, storm drains, and in our waste stream. Local taxpayer dollars are also spent to comply with Stormwater Permit requirements and other standards in communities with “trash-impaired” waterways as defined under the federal Clean Water Act. A proposed ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags would help lower cleanup costs in these tough economic times.

In addition to the economic benefits of a plastic bag ban, there are countless environmental benefits. These include reduced use of natural resources for bag production, reduced wildlife fatalities from strangulation and suffocation, and improved water quality. For all intents and purposes, plastic never biodegrades; instead it slowly photo degrades. As it photo degrades, plastic film breaks into smaller and smaller pieces which attract surrounding toxins. When mistaken as a food source, these plastic particles form a progressively greater health risk of food chain contamination.

Plastic marine pollution is a global problem with local solutions. Banning the free distribution of bags is widely considered an appropriate and practical legislative action that can protect our environment and save financial resources. This approach is similar to other jurisdictions around the region and the state. Banning single-use plastic bags is a practical approach to addressing a profound problem.

vital stats:

people impacted:

300

people involved:

why it's important:

It all began when I was employed as a bagger at a local grocery store in my city at the age of 16. I always wondered where all of the free single-use plastic bags I distributed on a daily basis ended up? Then, I learned about the Pacific Garbage Patch or the Pacific Gyre and all of the plastic that is accumulating in our oceans. I could not get this concept off of my mind. Then, I was given the opportunity in college to complete a research project on a topic of my choice. I decided to research and produce a plastic bag documentary. What I found out was devastating. I could not believe the logic in creating a product like plastic that would live longer than anything on our planet! It did not make any sense to me. So, I made it my mission to advocate for the cause and inform the public about the harmful toxins plastics release, but most of all, focus on ridding the single-use plastics we use on a daily basis like plastic bags, straws, utensils and much more. These are the plastics that are really hurting the environment and marine life!

the plan of action:

My plan of action is to create visual awareness in the streets of San Diego. By creating and wearing recycled plastic bag clothing around the city, obtaining photo petitions from community members and spreading the word about the San Diego Ban the Bag online petition via Change.org. Each time the on-line petition is signed, the San Diego mayor, Board of Supervisors and Council members will receive an email in regards to this movement. If granted financial assistance, I would use the funds to create an amazing website, so the petition is easily accesible to the public, purchase campaign materials and provide refreshments for our volunteers time and efforts.

how you can get involved:

Anyone can be a part of this movement! They simply have create and wear a plastic bag dress or outfit. If you can't create one, don't worry about it! We have plenty of plastic bags to go around! My goal is to prevent these bags from being thrown away into a landfill or ending up around the city and oceans! We need as much people as possible to show the city, state, country, and world-WE can live without single-use plastic bags and other plastics in our lives!

project updates:

videos:

1 comment

Submitted by foxj on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:02

the problem:

Homelessness is a significant, often-overlooked issue that is a result of larger societal problems. Malnourishment, inadequate resources and lack of education are serious issues that homeless individuals face. My idea to help those who are homeless is to create a simple how-to guide on how to build a sustainable house that is accessible to literate persons of any educational background. The sustainable aspect of the house will improve the local environment by significantly reducing waste through the use of renewable or recyclable materials and by generating all necessary electricity and the majority of the water used by the residents of the house. Additionally, a garden will provide fresh produce and basic herbs, giving residents access to cheap, healthy, organic food. The design will be able to be modified or upgraded to suit the needs of the residents, thus making this how-to guide a useful resource for any citizen wishing to live in a completely sustainable house.

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why it's important:

I am extremely passionate about social justice, and I have structured my education so that I will be able to aid those in need to my fullest potential. Access to education is of fundamental importance, but unfortunately this issue requires vast resources, money and power which I have yet to acquire. Therefore, my interim project is to give access to certain aspects of my education that will best help those in need while also improving living conditions and maintaining a healthy environment. Educated, empowered individuals who are able to enact changes themselves will create a society in which every person is able to benefit from and contribute to, giving all citizens access to basic human rights.

the plan of action:

The how-to guide for building a sustainable house will be easy to follow and the materials will be generally accessible for all individuals. The guide will have basic information on construction, electrical power, solar engineering, water sources and plumbing, heating and maintaining a garden. This guide will give the basics of designing, engineering and constructing a sustainable house so that readers will gain the knowledge of these important subjects and will be able to apply this to other areas of society. Additionally, this guide will allow the reader to actually construct a sustainable house which will benefit the environment overall and will improve living conditions for the resident.

how you can get involved:

If anyone is familiar with the aspects of designing constructing a sustainable house, resources or information would be much appreciated.

project updates:

Submitted by phs.botball on Sun, 12/18/2011 - 14:10

the problem:

We are spreading awareness about different worldwide problems by participating in this competition which has its course based off of worldwide problems. By participating, we are promoting this competition and inspiring others to join through our performance.

vital stats:

people impacted:

300

people involved:

why it's important:

This competition is very important to me because it covers areas of work in my ideal future career. There are also many environmental problems where I felt that more should be cone, and this competition promotes actions to solve these problems by spreading awareness.

the plan of action:

We Will attend a Botball Training meeting and meet every Saturday to work on our robot for the competition.

how you can get involved:

They can start Botball teams of their own and participate in this competition.