Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

I led a project to facilitate recycling in my neighborhood, Sherwood Park. PVC Recycling Bin Carts were constructed to make the movement of recycling bins to the curb easier. In addition, damaged recycling bins were replaced through the Solid Waste Authority (SWA).
My neighborhood houses approximately 170 residents. I created a survey that was mailed to each resident. The survey explained my project, and asked if the resident currently recycled, the condition of his recycling bins, and if he was interested in a Recycling Bin Cart. The surveys were returned to a receptacle next to my mailbox.
My project was split up over two weekends. The first weekend was designated for cutting the PVC pipe. My project required over 1,200 feet of pipe which came in 20' lengths. I had five men with miter saws cutting the pipe into set lengths. I also had two boys per adult to bring more pipe and hold the other end up as it was cut.
The second weekend was for assembly. All of the different pipe lengths were arranged in boxes and laid out with boxes of fittings. I organized my volunteers to build a cart assembly-line-style with each station gluing on an additional piece and passing it on. In total, my 41 volunteers built 56 carts.
In addition, using the information from the returned surveys, I called the SWA at 1 (866) NEW-BINS and ordered replacement bins for the addresses that requested them. The bins were delivered to the residents with their carts.
These carts made it easier for the residents of my neighborhood to recycle. Many of the residents of Sherwood Park are elderly or just lazy and do not recycle because of the difficulty in moving the bins to the curb. To put this problem in perspective, my neighborhood is zoned as R-1-AAA-B. This means a minimum setback from the street of 35 feet. In addition, Sherwood Park pays for side-yard pickup of trash. This means that it is significantly easier to throw something away than it is to recycle it. My project aimed to change that mentality and reduce my neighborhood's environmental impact.