ORDERING BOARDS?
If you want to order the dry-erase boards, please email Project Leader, Abby Jo Crooks ajcrooks@mail.umkc.edu!
How to Get Involved
Join the project meetings! Contact Leah McIntyre for more information!
Who We Are
Generation Green is a UMKC Enactus student-led project dedicated to repurposing plastic waste and encouraging interactive learning.
We began by noticing excess plastic waste in Missouri. With 3 million pounds being thrown out every day, irreversible damage is done to our wildlife underwater and on land, all while the continuous production of new plastic is furthering climate change. At the same time, we interviewed teachers, who told us that with an average $100 budget for school supplies, they were spending anywhere from $400-$500 to replace what had broken – specifically, whiteboards. Kansas City teachers are in need of supplies that are durable and long lasting. We ideated possible solutions for these two needs and found an innovative way for the needs to solve each other. By recycling plastic into colorful, durable dry-erase boards, we could benefit both teachers, prevent new plastic production, reduce waste, and protect the planet.
Outcomes
Generation Green won the Unilever Bright Future Accelerator Award in Fall 2019 and is now competing to earn further funds from the award by showing our progress and impacts at Enactus USA National Exposition in May 2020!
Contact Information
Project Meeting Time: Mondays from 11am to 2pm at Arts Tech and Saturdays at 11am to 4pm
Project Leader: Abby Jo Crooks ajcrooks@mail.umkc.edu
Contact: Leah McIntyre lkmghx@umkc.edu
FAQ
- What kind of recycled plastic is used to make Generation Green’s dry-erase boards?
- Generation Green uses Shatto milk lids which are made up of Type 4-LDPE plastic.
- Is it safe to melt these plastics?
- Type-4 LDPE is generally safe to melt. There can be some mild irritation if the dust from it gets in your eyes or you inhale it. Aside from this, melting LDPE is very safe. For more information, check out the Product Safety Assessment.
- Are there any regulations against melting plastic in Missouri?
- After searching and reading regulations regarding recycling and plastic, there are not restrictive regulations that prevent us from melting the plastic and making the dry-erase boards. Sites searched include:
- https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2018/04/04/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-plastic-and-recycling/
- https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/the-very-important-guide-of-plastic-safety
- https://sciencing.com/ldpe-recycled-6360593.html
- http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDOWCOM/dh_091f/0901b8038091f9e0.pdf
- After searching and reading regulations regarding recycling and plastic, there are not restrictive regulations that prevent us from melting the plastic and making the dry-erase boards. Sites searched include:
- How can you tell what plastics are safe to melt?
- On most plastics or boxes that contain plastic, there will be a recycle sign with a number that tells you what kind of plastic it is and how safe it is to recycle or to melt. For more information, check out this short guide so you can understand what plastics are safe to melt and which ones are dangerous.