Project Overview
Reverse Vending at UVic
I, along with my team, conducted an in-depth analysis on implementing Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) at the University of Victoria (UVic) as a sustainable solution to improve recycling rates and reduce waste on campus. The proposal examined the financial viability, environmental benefits, and social impact of reverse vending.
Research Objectives
The research focused on addressing the following key questions:
- How would the implementation of RVMs affect recycling rates at UVic?
- What would be the financial costs and socio-environmental benefits of this investment?
- How could marketing and education be implemented to maximize stakeholder engagement?
- How could we work within the bounds of existing regulations?
My Contributions
Skill Development and Team Collaboration
Throughout ATWP 250 my team and I developed a comprehensive collection of documents necessary to author our proposal on the implementation of RVMs at UVic. Through the various aspects of this group project I have improved upon my communication, teamwork, critical thinking and financial analysis skills.
Team Charter Development
Through our team charter, my team and I effectively created a framework with which we could quickly get passed storming and norming, and begin performing (McCahan et al., 2015). Some effective aspects of this charter included creating a team rubric, which gave all the group members a clear sense of the expectations of the team.
The group rubric helped us establish clear responsibilities, communication protocols, and standards for our collaborative work. This structured approach allowed us to resolve potential conflicts early and focus our energy on producing high-quality deliverables.
Writing Plan Creation
After the team charter, I helped my team to create an effective writing plan. Through my contributions to the writing plan Gantt chart, we were able to have a clear sense of our writing tasks and the timelines in which they needed to be completed.
The Gantt chart became essential to our project management process, allowing us to track progress, identify potential bottlenecks, and ensure all team members were aligned on deadlines and deliverables.
Research and Proposal Development
The most important aspect of my growth and development as a writer in this course came through the development of our proposal.
Source Acquisition
I built upon my research skills through reviewing a large variety of sources to back up each of my financial claims. Along with this, I supported both the education and marketing aspects of the proposal with research from peer-reviewed journals. I believe that through this evidence driven strategy, I was able to give our proposal credibility and make it highly persuasive.
Financial Analysis
Through this proposal, I was able to further my financial analysis skills. I developed a thorough cost analysis on the implementation of RVMs, including the costs of marketing, labour and stakeholder education.
To ensure that the projected costs were accurate, I engaged in in-depth product cost research and received quotes from multiple sources to verify these costs.
Marketing Strategy
Along with the financial analysis, I developed a comprehensive multimodal marketing plan. Through this plan, I was able to enhance my critical thinking skills.
The marketing plan encompassed social media marketing, a series of information nights, and an innovative student ambassador program designed to promote stakeholder awareness and engagement across campus.
Final Thoughts
Overall, through the development of our reverse vending proposal, I strengthened many of my writing skills and other applicable business skills. I now feel confident in authoring persuasive business style content. I also feel much stronger in financial research and presentation. These skills will be vital for my continued success throughout the BCom program, and for my future career success.