PROJECT OBJECTIVE(S):
• To reduce littering in the school environment by at
least 60% within six months.
• To create a cleaner and healthier learning
environment for students and teachers.
• To promote proper waste management habits
among learners and staff.
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
PROJECT TITLE
An Investigation into the Effect of Poor Waste
Disposal on the School Environment.
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
My School is experiencing environmental challenges
caused by poor waste disposal. The student
population, school tuck shop, and daily academic
activities generate considerable amounts of waste,
including plastic wrappers, food containers, and
paper waste. Without proper disposal methods, the
waste ends up scattered around classrooms and the
school yard, causing land pollution, unpleasant
odors, and attracting pests. This problem reduces the
aesthetic and hygienic quality of the learning
environment.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
It is my intention to investigate the impact of poor
waste disposal on our school environment and
develop a practical solution. I intend to implement a
classroom waste collection bin system to promote
cleanliness, educate students on proper disposal
habits, and reduce overall litter in the school.
DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
1. Materials
• Cardboard box
• Wrapping plastic
• Bond paper
• Stapler
2. Conditions/Requirements
• Bin should be used only inside the classroom.
• Students must be cooperative in disposing of litter
correctly.
• The bin must be emptied every day before
dismissal.
2. INVESTIGATION OF RELATED IDEAS
National Cleanup Campaign (2018)
Strength: Thorough cleaning covers all classroom
corners and surroundings.
Weakness: Carried out only once a month; pollution
builds up between campaigns.
Classroom Duty Rosters
Strength: Encourages responsibility and regular
floor cleaning.
Weakness: Windows, corners, and desks are often
neglected due to time limits.
Purchasing of Soft Brooms and Dusters
Strength: Makes sweeping easy, motivating
students to clean.
Weakness: Students avoid using them for fear of
losing or damaging them and facing penalties.
Teacher and Prefect Monitoring
Strength: Ensures daily classroom cleaning is done.
Weakness: Monitoring is done only in the afternoon;
littering throughout the day is not addressed.
3. GENERATION OF IDEAS
Systematic Morning Sweeping
Strength: Guarantees a clean classroom from the
start of the day.
Weakness: May delay the start of lessons for some
students.
Bins in Classrooms
Strength: Prevents littering and keeps floors clean.
Weakness: Bins can be broken, stolen, or ignored.
USE OF LUNCH BOXES
Strength: Reduces packaging waste and litter.
Weakness: Some students still bring food in
paper/plastic packaging.
"See Paper, Pick It & Bin It" Policy
Strength: Promotes responsibility for the
environment.
Weakness: Difficult to enforce and monitor
consistently.
4. DEVELOPMENT OF IDEAS
Selected Idea: Bins in Classrooms
Rationale
The idea was chosen because it provides a visible
and convenient solution to the problem of littering.
When students are provided with a designated place
to dispose of waste, the tendency to throw paper and
other litter on the floor is greatly reduced.
Materials Used
• Cardboard box
• Wrapping plastic
• Bond paper
• Stapler
Process Involved
1. Collected a used cardboard box.
2. Covered it with a wrapping plastic to increase
durability.
3. Labeled it clearly as a “Waste Bin.”
4. Placed it in a strategic corner of the
classroom.
5. Monitored student behavior and usage over a
one-week period.
5. PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
Table of response from the 4 Arts class
Category Number of Students
Students who used the bin 39
Students who did not use 6
the bin
Students who continued to 12
litter
Students who did not empty 9
the bin
6. EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Evaluation – Challenges Faced
• Limited time due to other school projects.
• Difficulty acquiring strong materials.
• Some students were uncooperative or
uninterested.
How I Overcame the Challenges
• Focused on building and testing a single bin.
• Prioritized the most feasible ideas.
• Encouraged awareness through peer discussions
and demonstrations.
Recommendations
• The school should adopt this bin system in all
classrooms.
• Reuse cardboard boxes from the tuck shop to
create more bins instead of burning them.
• The Environmental Club should lobby school
administration to purchase durable metal bins.
• Combine this method with duty rosters and teacher
monitoring for maximum effectiveness.
