ANALYSIS OF PAPER WASTE AT GARABATOS

Analysis of the environmental impact of the high use of paper at Garabatos Elementary School and design of new furniture.

Michelle C. Andrade

Daniella N. Bayas

Viviana N. Escudero

Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil

Introduction 

Paper waste is a serious environmental issue that mind us all. From the perspective of the bioclimatic architecture this project was directed towards a way where it was  able to analyze the negative impacts on the environment due to the high use of paper at Educational institutions in Guayaquil City. Seeking a solution to this problem a location was set to our project at “Garabatos” Elementary School, where a deep research about the high incidence rate of paper waste in the city was made and also how the students are required to bring incredibly excessive amounts of paper that in the end of the school period do not end up using and finally go to waste. Owing to the new constitution of Ecuador which establish that the nature has its own rights and being at the peek of the era of innovation, where new techniques to help the environment are proposed, an interesting idea about implementing boards on each of the students’s desks was developed. As a result, the massive and unnecessary amounts of paper requested by the institution on the first stages of childhood can be reduced.

In addition, investigations on the consequences of this proposal were made by taking in account everything related to the problem that involved the students’s parents such as what they knew about this matter, what where their thoughts on the negative environmental impacts, and how are they willing to let their children adapt to knew eco-friendly ways of learning. Also, previews projects with similar conditions were analyzed. Projects about paper waste and its effects on future generations. Furthermore, researching materials that are sustainable and affordable for the institution. After all, aiming to have some bases on the matter and with this design the new desk proposal for the school.

Problem statement

The excess of paper waste and the indiscriminate cut down of trees are actions that have negatives consequences on humanity. It is clear that the climatic changes such as non common temperatures on certain seasons and the increased amount of solar radiation received by Earth are happening as a result of this thoughtless actions. Climate change is a phenomenon taking place all around the world including Ecuador. In Guayaquil city, we can realize this by the hotter mornings occurring more often and the winters being more irregular. Moreover, with the rise of temperature and the growing pollution at the Estero Salado we are at risk of losing it and with this gone the manglar too.

There are many sources of environmental pollution in the city such as automobiles and increased use of plastic. Nevertheless, the excess of paper waste generated by companies and people in general is one of the main ones. Nowadays, the culture of recycling is not a common matter for most of the population and it is still not well positioned as an important issue. Thus, having the first green constitution of Latin America it is fundamental to take action on the matter and implement strategies to help the environment. By all means, it is relevant to consider this matter of study for this innovating project.

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