Proposed Solution for Reducing Plastic Pollution
To, Lena Kramali
Hello, our team is excited to inform you on our new engineering solution for reducing
plastic pollution. Attached to this email, you will find a document detailing our proposed
solution, how it will address our problem, as well as information about costs, benefits, and
potential stakeholders. Let us know what you think, we are eager for your feedback.
V/r,
David Lopez-Rivera, Yahya Alhasan, Zaber Raiyan Choudhury, and Stuart Purkiss
Integrating the use of Plastic Alternatives to
tackle Tampa’s Plastic Pollution.
David Lopez-Rivera, Zaber Raiyan Choudhury, Yahya Ahmed Awadh, and Stuart Purkiss
04/02/2021
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
Proposed Solution and Approach ................................................................................................................. 1
Sample of Expected Costs ............................................................................................................................. 2
Researching ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Designing ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Material cost ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Getting Factories to produce ................................................................................................................ 2
Transportation ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Sample of Expected Benefits ........................................................................................................................ 3
Less plastic pollution ............................................................................................................................. 3
Alternative could be better than the plastic. ........................................................................................ 3
Material costs........................................................................................................................................ 3
Saving animals....................................................................................................................................... 3
Saving people ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Sample of Anticipated Stakeholders ............................................................................................................. 5
Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Stakeholder 1: Bravo Supermarket............................................................................................................ 5
Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Expected Benefits ................................................................................................................................. 5
Appealing to Bravo Supermarket .......................................................................................................... 5
Communicating with Bravo Supermarket ............................................................................................. 5
Stakeholder 2: The residents of the Brandon Area................................................................................... 7
Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Expected Benefits ................................................................................................................................. 7
Appealing to the residents of the Brandon Area .................................................................................. 7
Communicating with the residents of the Brandon Area ..................................................................... 7
References .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Introduction
Plastics, better known as synthetic polymers, have changed our world forever. Its durability, lightweight
and cheap means of mass production has made it a staple commodity in our daily lives. However we
have abused its use with uncontrolled production and unplanned disposal. As a result, in the long run,
the commodity has turned out to do more harm than good.
Firstly, plastic is produced from the non-renewable resource known as fossil fuel. Not only is it depleting
this precious resource, additionally, the production of plastic is one of the leading contributors or carbon
dioxide emission, which leads to global warming. Moreover, the recycling process of plastic also causes
carbon dioxide emission. Secondly, the biggest problem of plastic is that it does not degrade by natural
processes. Therefore this has caused plastics to pollute our waters – rivers, oceans, lakes and even our
water supply – our air – micro plastics – and land – according to the national geographic, 79% of the
world’s land fill is made up plastic.
Tampa is no stranger to plastic pollution. Especially since it is a coastal city, most of the pollution ends
up in the ocean. Apart from plastic’s effect on our environment it also effects our health. The ingestion
of micro plastics through inhaling, drinking or eating causes dire health complications. The most notable
ones are: cancer, cardio vascular disease, and auto immune conditions. Furthermore, plastic pollution
effects animals as well. Many marine lives die due to plastic ingestion or by getting stuck in plastic
waste. Therefore, the continued plastic pollution problem is a serious concern for the people of Tampa
and the marine life.
Proposed Solution and Approach
Our solution to the Tampa plastic pollution problem is the integration of plastic alternatives in the
Tampa households and economy, which will eventually replace and reduce the use of plastics. The
alternatives of plastic include bio-degradable polymers, paper-based material, and clay. Our main focus
is on implementing bio-degradable polymers which have the same properties as plastics while having an
eco-friendly method of production and degrading through natural process. Therefore, these products
will provide a relatively smooth transition from the use of plastics to the use of the alternatives. The biodegradable polymers are made from jute, corn, and potato. A notable quality of the jute-based polymer
is that the plastic-like bags produced, dissolve in water after twenty minutes of being submerged.
Integration of these alternatives will reduce the use of plastics. This in turn will reduce the overall plastic
pollution in Tampa – especially in the long run. Therefore, Tampa will experience a decline in water and
air pollution, and a decline in the rise of landfills. Furthermore, the reduction in micro plastics will
improve the health of the Tampa residents. Lastly, the marine life of Tampa beach will begin recover
from effects of plastic pollution. Below, we have included the possible costs and benefits of our
engineering solution. Afterwards, we have included an overview of two potential stakeholders of our
solution.
1
Sample of Expected Costs
Below there is a table that will describe each cost of the project. Also, it will give you
information if it is recurring or nonrecurring cost. Furthermore, it should tell you if it is
internal or external cost
Cost Factors
Sample Costs
Researching
Designing
Material cost
Getting
Factories to
produce
Transportation
Cost Description
Recurring/Nonrecurring
Internal/External
To get the best material for
changing the plastics we must
do a research to find what is the
best material that can provide
the same purpose and could be
better than plastics.
After doing the research and
finding the best alternative
material that can be used, we
will have to start making a
design which gives all the
benefits needed for the product.
It will be like it never changed.
The alternative material will be
needed to produce, so we will
have to pay for material to keep
the product going on.
After getting all the information
for the product. We will have to
find a factory that should be
producing the product
consistently. We can build a
factory or make a contract with
a factory.
We need to take the materials
to the factory as well as shipping
the product out of the factory to
the places where it should be
used or shown for sale.
Nonrecurring
Internal
Recurring
Internal
Recurring
Internal
Nonrecurring
Internal
Recurring
Internal
2
Sample of Expected Benefits
The table below will provide a list of benefits and a description of how the solution will
lead to this benefit. Also, it will include the time for the benefit to happen
Sample
Benefits
Less plastic
pollution
Benefit Overview
Description
Time to Benefit
By replacing the plastic with alternatives, it will help
people to stop using plastics that harm the
environment in several ways. This way will lead to
reduce the pollution.
Immediate (within 4 months after
getting the product done and
distributed)
Intermediate (2-5 years), after
that time plastic pollution will be
far less than what it is right now.
Long-term (5-15 years), after that
plastic pollution will be a minor
problem.
Alternative
could be
better than
the plastic.
One use plastic is used for a single purpose; however
there is some chance that the alternative could be
used for more than one purpose. Sometimes there
are better materials than plastics even for same
purpose but have not been discovered yet. So, there
is a potential that some of the alternatives could be
much more efficient, helpful, and effective than
plastic.
Immediate (It should be
noticeable as soon as the new
product has shown)
Material costs
The material cost could be cheaper than the normal
plastic cost. So, this benefit will be better for the
people and the environment as well.
Saving
animals
Some animals die due to plastic pollution; some
animals eat plastics or get stuck in some sort of
plastics which make them starve to death. So, making
another material than plastic would help animals
know that it is not supposed to be eaten. Animals eat
plastics or get stuck in some sort of plastics which
make them starve to death. So, making another
material than plastic would help animals know that it
is not supposed to be eaten.
Immediate (as soon as the
material selected by the research,
they should be able to know if it
cheaper or not)
Intermediate (it should take at
least 2 years, there should already
some plastics on wildlife and
marine life so it will need time to
take all these plastics out)
3
Saving people
This benefit is connected to the previous benefits.
There are some people that put their food on the
table depending on the animals, and if these animals
were unhealthy since they have eaten plastics. So,
after people eating these unhealthy animals there is
a chance that they can get some sort of diseases
which will affect their health condition. So, changing
the plastics to alternative will not just save the
animals it could save the humans as well.
Immediate (1 year), since plastic
pollution is still affecting marine
life and wildlife.
Intermediate (1-3 years), at that
time plastic pollution should be
way less than it is which mean
animals will be healthier than
what it is right now.
Long-term (5-10 years) this should
not be a huge problem for the
people.
There are several benefits that this project does. This project helps, people from getting diseases
Animals from dying, and environment form being polluted. So, it worth pursuing because it saves all
many living creatures.
4
Sample of Anticipated Stakeholders
Overview
We have Identified two potential stakeholders, that can benefit by helping us implement our
engineering solution.
Stakeholder 1: Bravo Supermarket
Summary
One of our many potential stakeholders in the Tampa area is the Bravo Supermarket chain. Bravo was
founded in 1991 by Luis Merejo with 5 of their 71 stores located in Tampa Florida. Bravo is a midsized
supermarket, and every store is independently owned. We believe that the most probable stakeholder
attitude is positivity. Most people will not mind replacing traditional plastic bags with a biodegradable
alternative, if it has the same function and similar specs at no extra costs. So long as customers are
satisfied, I believe that the Bravo supermarket chain will be happy with using a biodegradable bag that is
good for the environment.
Expected Benefits
A benefit that is important to the Stakeholder is the potential cost benefit. This material might have the
potential to be cheaper than traditional plastic. If we can mass produce this new material, it will bring
down the price. Another potential benefit will be creating a positive image. Bravo can lead the way in
green bags and therefore improve its public image by being seen as an environmentally conscious
business.
Appealing to Bravo Supermarket
The problem we are facing is plastic pollution. A lot of plastic pollution is caused by plastic bags which
can be replaced with a biodegradable alternative. We believe that Bravo can help lead the way by
replacing its plastic bags with a biodegradable alternative. We believe that we can get Bravo on board,
by providing a bag which is the same cost if not cheaper than traditional plastic bags, carry the same if
not more weight and hold just as many items. There will be no compromises, costumers will be just as
happy, and at the same time will improve their image by going green. After all Bravo wants to help its
community, reduce cost, and shine a positive image. We can help Bravo do all this with a biodegradable
bag that is cheap and good for the environment compared to its traditional plastic bags. I think that for
these reasons we will be able to share meaning with Bravo and potentially work together.
Communicating with Bravo Supermarket
Making Contact
Our plan to communicate with Bravo begins with first collecting necessary information, that they will
want. We need to show them a product, the cost of production, how it compares with traditional plastic
bags, and a costumer survey. Then we can confidently reach out to local Bravo store owners since they
are all independently owned and sell them on a superior product. Since Bravo likes to stand out from
other Supermarkets by specializing in products relevant to its local ethnic population, and they go out of
their way to learn about their community, scheduling a person-to-person meetings via email and then
visiting individual stores, is the most appropriate way to reach out to them and sell them on our Idea.
5
Building Trust and Relationships
After making contact we will continue building our relationship by continuously visiting stores, getting
feedback to improve our products, and always addressing any issues. We will shine them in a positive
light by publicly thanking them and showing their contribution towards fighting plastic pollution.
6
Stakeholder 2: The residents of the Brandon Area
Summary
We have identified another stakeholder in the residents of the Brandon Area, a large suburb of the city
of Tampa. Reports from the most recent Census (2020) found that the population of this area is mostly
people who are upper middle class and mostly older, being either late in their careers or in retirement.
However, the same census also found the average age on a downward trend as more young people look
for housing outside the city where they work. The majority of residents of the Brandon Area do their
shopping at local supermarkets and at the nearby Westfield Brandon Shopping Center, where most
purchases are kept inside traditional plastic bags. We identify this as a major area for the
implementation of our alternative product. We believe that this potential stakeholder would be very
excited about our product as this area is very environmentally conscious as it is near the Tampa Bay and
the Gulf of Mexico and would have a mostly positive attitude toward our products implementation.
Expected Benefits
Our project has many potential benefits to this stakeholder. The easiest one to discern is the positive
impact our product will have on the environment. As the purpose of our product is to replace the use of
common single use plastics, by being biodegradable it will directly reduce the amount of plastic waste
that finds its way into the environment. A second less apparent benefit for our stakeholder is a
reduction of cost. Because our product will be cheaper that the traditional plastic, the cost of acquisition
will be reduced. Additionally, as the nature of the product is to reduce waste, local was management
will require less tax spending from local government.
Appealing to the residents of the Brandon Area
Our team will attempt to appeal to this stakeholder through a two-pronged method of implementation
in local businesses as well as a local government initiative to encourage our products use as well as
educate the population on its uses. This is important to do as it introduces our product as the “chique”
item to use over the traditional alternative. By establishing our product as the environmentally friendly
option, we will be able to find common ground with this stakeholder as they also have an interest in
environmental impact.
Communicating with the residents of the Brandon Area
In order to ensure success for our project, it is important to maintain proper communication with this
stakeholder. We believe that an appropriate channel of communication would be through our website,
the web address to which our stakeholders will be able to find on our product as well as on various
promotional materials found around the implementation area. This will provide a user-friendly way of
communicating between the stakeholders and our company while also reducing overall spending.
Making Contact
By basing communication on our website, we make communication with our company accessible to a
large portion of our stakeholders. Because the Brandon Area is mainly upper middle class, most
residents have access to a mobile phone with internet access. Additionally, by being online we gain the
ability to survey our stakeholders while they communicate with us.
Building Trust and Relationships
7
By being available on our product, our stakeholder will be able to discover how to communicate with us.
By being online, we will be able to maintain a 24-hour communication line that will help to build and
maintain trust. Finally, through good customer service our stakeholder will feel comfortable with being
honest when talking of our product.
8
References
-2020 Census information for Brandon, Florida (Brandon, Florida Population 2021 (Demographics, Maps,
Graphs) (worldpopulationreview.com))
-"Plastic Pollution Facts And Information". Environment, 2021,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution.
-"Home". Bravosupermarkets.Com, 2021, https://www.bravosupermarkets.com/.
"Potato Plastic | James Dyson Award". James Dyson Award, 2021,
https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/en-SE/2018/project/potato-plastic/
.
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