An old shampoo bottle. A flattened cereal box. An empty glass jar of pickles. When we’re done using our household items… we do the right thing… and we recycle the containers. What happens next, after the old containers are picked up from our recycling bins?
“Recycling centers are on the outskirts of town - we don’t get to see what’s happening. It’s out of sight, out of mind,” says Tabassum Kalam Khandoker, a master’s student studying architecture at Portland State University. “It’s challenging work to deal with waste materials, and people don’t want it within their eyesight.”
Tabassum has an idea to change this. She wants to create more visibility and connectivity for recycling, encouraging the community to not only take increased responsibility for recycling, but to learn how to upcycle and reuse materials as much as possible. Her idea is called “Community Recycling Park” and the ultimate goal is to reduce the amount of waste that is thrown in the garbage by converting it into resources.
Tabassum’s vision is a recycling center that serves as a hub for community members – a place to learn about waste management and innovative ways to use upcycled materials. The recycling center would be integrated with other everyday destinations such as grocery stores, gyms and retail stores. She also has hopes that the center could provide some cultural or recreational activities, further uniting the community.
“My project is not a single idea. It is an architectural proposal that incorporates not only environmental issues, but also community issues. It involves economic, cultural, and some policy making issues as well. My project is unique because it will require collaboration from multidisciplinary organizations.”
Sustainable living is a passion and a daily practice for Tabassum. She believes in respecting the natural resources we use and creating a better environment for society. “If I can propose a solution that is helpful to waste management and the whole recycling system, it will serve the community very well,” says Tabassum.
In the USA, the recycling rate is only 7%, whereas in Europe it is around 40%. The reasons behind the low recycling rate include a lack of public awareness, poor accessibility to recycling centers, high recycling cost, and government policies. Tabassum believes her idea will help mitigate this increasing waste management issue.
Participating in the Cleantech Challenge gives Tabassum a platform to showcase her project and share her ideas with the broader community. She notes, “I appreciate the opportunity to spread awareness of my idea among those involved in environmental issues, green architecture, and sustainable living. It’s high time to think about a solution for the waste management system. If I can get funding, it would be very helpful to develop the project and serve the community.