St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
PROJECT #4 RECYCLED DESIGN
PROJECT
Problem Scenario
Reduce waste; Reuse products over and over
again: Recycle used materials creatively
Waste management is one of the critical challenges of
the twenty-first century. Landfills are growing and taxing
our resources while recycling has not lived up to its
promise. This project is a recycling challenge. Students
are asked to construct a chair capable of supporting an
adult weighing 250 pounds. The chair must be
constructed of common waste materials. Metal and
wood products are unacceptable as part of the design.
The students should also design a chair that is
aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. The final project
will be judged on the following criteria:
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Objectives
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Determine shape and size of chair to be created
from recycled materials, including plastics.
Assemble chair using recycled materials
Use measuring devices
Investigate recycling opportunities
Estimate cost and time of reproducing product
Summarize results in a brief email report memo
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Background Information for Reduce, Reuse, &
Recycle Source: http://www.EPA.gov
"Each year, Americans generate millions of tons of trash in
the form of wrappings, bottles, boxes, cans, grass
clippings, furniture, clothing, phone books, and much,
much, more. Durable goods (tires, appliances, furniture)
and nondurable goods (paper, certain disposable
products, clothing) account for several million tons of the
solid waste stream. Container and packaging waste is a
significant component of the nation’s waste stream as
well. This material includes glass, aluminum, plastics,
steel and other metals, and paper and paperboard. Yard
trimmings such as grass clippings and tree limbs are also
a substantial part of what we throw away. In addition,
many relatively small components of the national solid
waste stream add up to millions of tons. For example, one
percent of the nation’s waste stream can amount to about
two million tons of trash each year."
"Individual consumers can help alleviate America's
mounting trash problem by making environmentally aware
decisions about everyday things like shopping and caring
for the lawn. Across the country, many individuals,
communities, and businesses have found creative ways to
reduce and better manage their trash through a
coordinated mix of practices that includes source
reduction. Empty cans and jars can be reused to store
many items, such as nails or thumbtacks. The baking soda
bought to bake a cake also can be used to scrub kitchen
counters. The container that began its life as a plastic milk
jug can be washed and reused to water plants, create an
arts and crafts project, or be transformed. Eventually, the
milk jug can be recycled to create a new plastic product.
Reusing products is just one way to cut down on what we
throw away."
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
Does the chair support the required 250pound weight? Yes or No (20 points)
On a scale of 1to 20 (with 20 being most)
how aesthetically pleasing is the chair?
What is the weight of the chair compared to
other designs? (15 points for the lightest
chair)
Does the written email report detail the
design process, the cost, and testing of the
chair? Is it well written? Are sketches
included (25-point scale)
Is the oral presentation clear and complete?
(20-point scale)
Performance Expectations
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Instructors will evaluate student teams and
individual students on the project; the
evaluation will include problem-solving and
teaming skills used by students and student
teams.
Students will have opportunities for selfevaluation, peer evaluation, and team
evaluation.
Individual instructors will test and grade
students individually on content workshops
and activities.
The student project and short email report
will be evaluated and graded by the faculty
team.
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
Vocabulary of Recycling
(www.epa.gov)
Biodegradable -describes material that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms into
simple, stable compounds.
BTU (British Thermal Unit) - A measurement of the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature
of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at or near 39.2 degrees F.
Buy Recycled- Purchasing products and packaging made from post-consumer materials.
Compost- Decayed organic materials which decompose into humus.
Contamination- process by which something is made impure.
Decompose- To break down, change form by the action of living things or microorganisms.
Earth Day- a day set aside (April 22 in the USA) to promote a healthy environment and a peaceful,
just, sustainable world.
Environment- The natural world around us, including the air, water, land, animal, plants, etc.
Environmentalism-Advocacy of the preservation or improvement of the natural environment; the
movement to control pollution.
Landfill- a secure site for the environmentally sound burial of solid waste in which the waste is
buried between layers of earth to build up low-lying land.
Litter- is unsightly, unsanitary, unappealing waste products that can be hazardous or degrade the
quality of life by corrupting the environment.
Microorganism- Organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Natural Resources- naturally occurring assets such as plants, animals, minerals, water, air, etc.
Organic- derived from living organisms, or having a carbon base; or when referring to agricultural
products.
Pre-Consumer- describing materials that are diverted from the waste stream that are generated
during manufacturing
Pollution- harmful substances deposited in the air, water or land leading to impurity or unhealthful
conditions
Post-Consumer - describing materials that are collected for recycling after having been purchased
by a consumer that would have otherwise been incinerated or taken to a landfill.
Recycle-To process in order to regain material for human use
Returnable Container- a beverage container able to be returned for a money deposit.
Waste- garbage or other material that is not used anymore.
Waste Stream- The entire process that solid waste goes through from generation to disposal or
recycling.
Yard Waste- leaves, grass clippings and other organic materials that are collected from yards.
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
All About Plastic
Source: http://www.obviously.com/recycle/ (Internet Consumer Recycling Guide)
With a little bit of care much plastic can be recycled, and collection of plastics for recycling is increasing
rapidly. Plastic recycling faces one huge problem: plastic types must not be mixed for recycling, yet it is
impossible to tell one type from another by sight or touch. Even a small amount of the wrong type of plastic
can ruin the melt. The plastic industry has responded to this problem by developing a series of cryptic
markers (See above graphic), commonly seen on the bottom of plastic containers. These markers do not
mean the plastic can be recycled, these makers do not mean the container uses recycled plastic. Despite
the confusing use of the chasing arrow symbol, these markers only identify the plastic type.
Virtually everything made of plastic should be marked with a code. Not all types can actually be recycled.
Types 1 and 2 are widely accepted in container form, and type 4 is sometimes accepted in bag form. Code
7 is for mixed or layered plastic with virtually no recycling potential.
Plastic Containers (milk, soap, juice, fresh pasta, water, etc.)
All plastic containers you purchase should be marked with a large and clear recycling code . This code
must be molded into the plastic and located on the bottom surface of the container. Ideally the entire
container should be made of the same plastic to avoid confusion, but often the caps are of a different type.
Caps should be separately marked, but few are. Note that most caps are NOT of the same type as the
bottle they sit on.
Grocery sacks, produce bags, and other packaging
Plastic grocery and produce sacks are commonly, but not always, made from plastic types 2 or 4. These
bags are often collected in barrels at grocery stores, and turned into plastic lumber.
Other Plastic Items
Any product made of a single plastic type should be marked -- after all the product may one day break or
be replaced. This includes toys, plastic hangars, trash cans, shelves, baskets, rain ponchos, and many
other products. Many products, such as compact discs, video tapes, and computer discs, are made from
mixed materials which can't be recycled unless first disassembled.
The plastic types were defined by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI):
Type 1 - PETE Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Soda & water containers, some waterproof packaging.
Type 2 - HDPE High-Density Polyethylene Milk, detergent & oil bottles. Toys and plastic bags.
Type 3 - V Vinyl/Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Food wrap, vegetable oil bottles, blister packages.
Type 4 - LDPE Low-Density Polyethylene Many plastic bags. Shrink wrap, garment bags.
Type 5 - PP Polypropylene Refrigerated containers, some bags, most bottle tops, some carpets, some food wrap.
Type 6 - PS Polystyrene Throwaway utensils, meat packing, protective packing.
Type 7 - OTHER Usually layered or mixed plastic. No recycling potential - must be landfilled.
Types 1 and 2 are commonly recycled. Type 4 is less commonly recycled. The other types are generally
not recycled, except perhaps in small test programs. Common plastics polycarbonate (PC) and
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) do not have recycling numbers.
Understand that plastic recycling is really in infancy. The process is messy and inefficient. Numerous
problems exist. For example plastic from a "blow mold" (the neck of the bottle is narrower than the body)
has a slightly different structure from the exact same plastic used in an "injection mold" (where the opening
is the widest part of the product). Because of low processing temperatures plastic is highly vulnerable to
contamination by food, labels and different plastics.
Much recycled plastic ends up as low grade plastic lumber.
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
ASSIGNMENT PROJECT #4 RECYCLED DESIGN PROJECT
Design a chair using recycled materials such as plastic, cardboard, etc. Determine its size, shape, and the
type of products that will be used. Explain the process you used to create the chair. Use various measuring
devices mathematical calculations for size, endurance, etc. Investigate related recycling opportunities, for
example, companies that are making similar recycled products. Estimate the cost of the finished product and
the time it took to make it.
HEADING
Write a correct memo heading for this short report:
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
INTRODUCTION
Describe problem in a short introductory paragraph
BODY
Write a body paragraph with the content needed to describe your creation. Explain the design process: shape
and size of chair, which recycled materials were used, and how it was assembled. Tell which measuring
devices and mathematical formulas were used and for what reasons. Show any calculations used. Describe
any similar recycling opportunities that are currently being used. List estimated cost and time to reproduce
the product. You may want to attach a sketch, jpeg photo, etc., of the actual product.
CONCLUSION
Write a sentence or two telling what you learned from this project.
EMAIL
Put the report into e-mail format and send it to your instructors. See syllabus for email addresses.
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
Criteria for Evaluation for Design Project Email Memorandum
(Student Designed)
1 = Weak 2 = Moderately Weak 3 = Average 4 = Moderately Strong 5 = Strong
Design Project:
1.
The student has explained the project in terms of problem solving and has clearly described its results.
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2.
3.
The student’s project makes use of, recycled materials.
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The student develops an appropriate design process for the assignment, which follows the assignment
directions.
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4.
The student’s problem solving employs accurate information or facts.
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5.
The student’s problem solving shows an understanding of measurement concepts.
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Memorandum:
6.
7.
The memo starts with a purpose statement.
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The organization of the memo is clear and easy to follow. It is paragraphed appropriately with an
introduction, a body and a conclusion.
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8.
The content of the memo covers the design process of the assignment.
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9.
The memo is concise (not wordy) and uses appropriate terminology.
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10.
The memo is neatly typed and spaced attractively. It has been sent to instructors via email for evaluation.
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11.
The spelling, punctuation, and grammar are in acceptable standard English. Sentences are correct and varied.
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Additional Comments: ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Total Score _________
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
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