2. ObservationNotesof the three processes:
1. Process of Collecting boxes
The way workers collect cardboard boxes out of a recycling cage takes a lot of energy
from a worker. The picture below shows the cage wherein cardboard boxes are placed
to be picked up. If the cage is full, the worker tilts the cage and goes in the cage to
empty the container. However, tilting this takes a lot of energy from a worker. This cage
can hold up to at least 100 lb. of flattened boxes. There are about 11 of these cages
within campus, PCC, and Marriott. This is a lot of waste not only because of the weight
of tilting the cage but also of the more vertical movement than horizontal movement
the worker needs to do.
2. Recycling Bins
Having the right recycling bin is also a concern in the process of collecting recyclable
materials. This is a picture of a recycling center where it is placed within hallways and
buildings inside the campus. It has the same size and same color wherever they are on
campus. There are only few that have different size of recycling bin. In the official
documents part of my portfolio, I will show a week observation of how often recycling
bins get filled every day.
3. 3. Schedule of Recycling Routes
The timeliness of the schedule of the recycling routes is also a process that can be
improved on. In the excel file is the schedule of the recycling routes every day. One of
the observation notes that I had is the schedule of the recycling route. There were some
recycling areas that was scheduled to be picked up first but the bins only gets filled up
after work hours which is around 3-4 PM. One example is the Lorenzo Snow and Aloha
Center Mail recycling stations. They are scheduled to be picked up first but the bins get
filled up during noon and afternoon time. This is a process that can be improved.
Official Documents:
Note: Official Documents on recycling schedule are on the excel file.
Summary of Recommendations:
1. One recommendation that I suggested is to place door hinges on the side so that there
would be less vertical movement and more horizontal movement. To illustrate this, here
is the picture of what it would look like on the side.
4. 2. With the recycling bins, suggestion of having different colors of bins and appropriate
signs with pictures should be placed so that people would segregate properly. There
was a study done in University of California on segregation. On the average, if there
were no signs, people placing their trash and recyclables on the right place was below
50%. However, putting signs increased the proper segregation by above 80%. This is an
example of the bins that have signs in it that will increase the proper segregation.
3. Last, was that adjustment of the schedule according to the time that is best for recycling
worker to come and collect recyclable materials. This process would reduce time for
workers collecting the mixed recyclable materials then segregating it.
