The Benefits of Recycling for the Environment- Pollution, Air, and Water
Part One: Research Proposal
Background of the Study
Environmental pollution is a major issue across the world. Theodore & Theodore (2021) define environmental pollution as the unfavorable change in a surrounding due to human actions through indirect or direct impacts of the changes in radiation levels, energy patterns, living things, and physical and chemical constitutions. The main types of pollution are man-made and natural pollution. On the one hand, natural pollution is any pollution arising from a natural occurrence. The main sources of natural pollution are volcanic eruptions, defecation, acid rain, and Biological decay. On the other hand, man-made pollution arises from human activities. Pollutants from man-made activities threaten the health of living things, especially human beings, and compromise the environment and natural ecosystem. Generally, the main human activities associated with man-made pollution are waste disposal, consumption, energy generation, and transportation. The pollutants from these activities can enter the environment in different ways, such as water systems, the atmosphere, and soil.
Waste is among the main pollutants contributing to environmental pollution. The waste includes household waste, industrial waste, and any waste disposed of in public places such as public parks. Various waste management strategies have been proposed to reduce the waste released to the environment. According to Al Arni & Elwaheidi (2020), waste management includes a waste hierarchy that includes reusing, reducing, and recycling. The hierarchy focuses on extracting the most practical benefits from products and producing less waste. Waste management strategies may vary based on the type of waste. For instance, hazardous waste materials require special waste management presses to prevent toxic substances exposure to those in contact with the waste.
More emphasis is being placed on reducing waste through reusing and recycling. According to Milios et al. (2018), recycling is regulated by legal requirements put in place due to pressure from the public to conserve the environment and reduce waste. The main benefits of recycling for the environment are preventing air, water, and general environmental pollution. Over the years, there has been a prevalence in the use of plastics in repackaging, and most of these plastics end up in landfills. According to Madaleno (2018), landfill space reduces as communities continue developing and setting up structures on idle land. There has also been a history of poor management of landfills resulting in the diversion of waste from the landfills to the environment to create more space for waste. Research conducted by Radhakrishnan (2015) indicated that the most effective way to reduce pollution from plastics is through recycling.
The main recycling levels include tertiary, secondary, quaternary, and primary recycling. Secondary recycling includes mechanically converting waste into a product with other environmentally-friendly properties, and primary recycling includes mechanically converting waste into products with similar properties. Tertiary recycling includes recovering chemical waste, and quaternary recycling includes recovering energy from waste or producing energy from waste decomposition to create something useful, such as biogas. Besides minimizing waste, recycling also protects the environment by eliminating the need to manufacture other products, hence preventing air pollution from harmful gases emitted during the manufacturing process. The gases have also been attributed to global warming, which is among the most adverse threats to the environment. Existing research has focused on the benefits of recycling based on reducing waste in the environment. Therefore, there is a research gap on the role of recycling in reducing air and water pollution. The current research will fill this gap by reviewing the benefits of recycling in reducing and preventing air and water pollution.
Problem Statement
Fresh water and fresh air are the most important things supporting the survival of living things. They also define the quality of life. For instance, people who do not have access to clean water and clean air have a poor quality of life because they are predisposed to diseases. The main adverse effects of air pollution are depletion of the ozone layer, respiratory diseases, and acid rain. According to Müller (2012), the ozone layer protecting living things on Earth from harmful sun rays is depleted by harmful gases emitted in chemical production. The gases reduce the thickness of the ozone layer resulting in the penetration of ultraviolet sun rays that cause cataracts, skin cancer, and poor immune system. The rays also harm sensitive crops and stunt the growth of crops that human beings and herbivores rely on for survival. Acid rain contains high levels of sulfuric and nitric acid. The acids arise from sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides released from the combustion of fossil fuels. The acids are then poured into the earth as dry or wet precipitation. The acids may also be dispersed in the wind hence exposing human beings to respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and asthma.
Acid rain also damages plants and makes water unsafe for consumption and aquatic animals. Air pollution also plays a major role in global climate change due to the imbalance in the gases in the atmosphere, increased methane and carbon dioxide, and increasing temperature levels. Water pollution is among the main types of pollution affecting human life. A study conducted by Owa (2014) indicated that water pollution contributes to approximately 14,000 deaths daily, particularly in poor neighborhoods and areas near manufacturing plants. Water pollution also causes various diseases by harboring viruses and bacteria. For instance, water contamination is the leading cause of cholera, resulting in a high mortality rate among people in poor neighborhoods (Srivastava, 2013). Water pollution also affects plant nutrition, thus affecting human health. Human beings rely on nutrients from plants to live a healthy life and increase their lifespan hence the need to grow plants with clean water. Water pollution is also a leading cause of the depletion of aquatic life. Some communities, particularly those living near water bodies, rely on fish for food and a source of income; thus, preventing water pollution is critical.
Based on the important role that water and air play in human lives and the adverse effects of water and air pollution, it is important to create awareness of proper waste management practices. Recycling is among the most effective waste management practices that can reduce the amount of waste produced per household. Therefore, this research will hypothesize that recycling can effectively prevent water and air pollution. The main research questions that will be answered to test this hypothesis are;
What is the role of recycling in preventing air pollution?
What is the role of recycling in preventing water pollution?
What waste can be recycled to prevent water, air, and general environmental pollution?
Scope of the Study
The scope of the study will be the impact of recycling on protecting the environment. The main research areas that will be reviewed are the role of recycling in preventing water and air pollution and the types of waste that can be recycled to prevent water, air, and general environmental pollution. In reviewing the role of recycling in preventing water and air pollution, the researcher will consider the role of waste in water and air pollution and the most appropriate recycling methods to prevent these types of pollution. The review of the waste that can be recycled to prevent water, air, and general environmental pollution will be considered the most common waste generated in most households.
Significance of the Study
Environmental pollution continues to affect most societies. Currently, people recognize the need to conserve the environment due to the realization of the negative impacts of environmental pollution. Organizations and brands, particularly globally recognized brands, are creating awareness of the need for environmental conservation hence making their initiative to conserve the environment. Governments are also setting policies to encourage environmental conservation and reduce the waste generated per household. The most effective way that waste can be reduced is through recycling. Although the concept of recycling has been in public discussions for a long time, people are still reluctant to recycle due to ignorance or lack of awareness of the extent to which their recycling practices can save the environment. The research intends to create awareness of the role of recycling in conserving the environment by preventing environmental, water, and air pollution. The study’s findings will be significant to manufacturers because they can understand the value of manufacturing products that yield recyclable waste. The research findings will also enhance awareness among the public about the importance of recycling to prevent water, air, and environmental pollution. The research will also contribute to the large body of related research by adding information on the important role of recycling in preventing environmental, air, and water pollution.
Part Two: Research Design
Type of Study
According to Flick (2020), the type of research study is dictated by the research topic, the hypotheses to be tested, timing, sample size, and statistical significance. Timing is linked to the data collection method, hence dictating the research design. Statistical significance arises from the need for highly data-driven and transparent research results or statistical evidence. Hypotheses dictate whether the researcher needs to understand opinions, reasons, motivations, or perceptions. The research will adopt the descriptive research design. According to Miksza & Elpus (2018), descriptive research includes using various quantitative and qualitative research methods to gather data that is then used to address the research problem and test the research hypothesis. It mainly focuses on answering when, what, how, or where research questions. In the current research, the descriptive design will be applied to address the question; how does recycling prevent environmental pollution? The descriptive design will be combined with the qualitative research design, which includes collecting and analyzing non-statistical data to understand experiences, opinions, and concepts. The qualitative research design has been selected because the researcher will use non-statistical data to test the research hypothesis. The qualitative research design has also been selected because it is cost-effective and will enable the researcher to fund the research without financial assistance from a third party.
Data Collection Methods
The type of research being conducted dictates data collection methods. For instance, the data collection methods in qualitative research are different from those used in quantitative research. According to Sapsford & Jupp (2006), data collection methods in quantitative research include controlled observations, experiments, polls, interviews, and longitudinal studies. On the other hand, qualitative data collection methods include open-ended questionnaires and surveys, one-on-one interviews, observation, focus groups, and case studies. One of the data collection methods for this research is questionnaires. The researcher will develop questionnaires with open and closed questions to gather information on the role of recycling in preventing environmental pollution based on the changes that people have observed in the rate of environmental pollution since the recycling practice was introduced in their community.
The questionnaires will be distributed online to reach as many respondents as possible so that the researcher gathers enough information to address the research question. Online research participants will be approached via Facebook groups to discuss environmental issues and environmental conservation measures. The researcher will also collect data through observation. This method will include observing the changes in pollution based on the amount of waste in landfills. The third data collection method will be reviewing data from environmental reports published online. The researcher will look for the most recent environmental reports detailing the changes in the environmental pollution patterns in different regions and those demonstrating the relationship between recycling and environmental pollution levels. The researcher will also collect data through focus groups of environmental activists and environmental researchers. The focus group discussion will be held on Facebook groups that discuss environmental pollution and conservation issues.
The Sampling Design
The research will have a large sample size hence the need for a sampling technique to reduce the sample and gather data that is easy to manage in the data analysis process. Sampling includes selecting a subset of the selected study population to enable the researcher to obtain enough information to address the research questions without considering the information provided by the entire population. Guetterman (2020) argues that sampling is important in research because it determines the accuracy of the research findings. However, researchers must first specify the sampling frame, which is the group of people from which the research sample will be drawn. In this study, the researcher will use the random sampling method. According to Guetterman (2020), a random sampling technique includes giving every research sample an equal opportunity to be selected without any bias. The main types of random sampling include simple random, cluster, stratified, and systematic sampling.
A simple random sampling technique includes selecting a sample based on randomly selected numbers. Cluster sampling includes dividing the study participants into small classes. Every class should have attributes similar to the whole selected sample. A stratified sampling technique includes dividing the study population into small groups with similar attributes and taking a random sample from every group. A systematic random sampling technique includes selecting specific members or individuals from an entire study population through a predetermined interval, such as the kth member or group. For instance, the researcher may choose the members or group that submits their filled questionnaires fourth, first, or last. In this research, the researcher will use stratified random sampling. The study population will be divided into environmentalists, community members, manufacturers, and environmental researchers.
Data Analysis
Data analysis includes the systematic application of logical and statistical techniques to describe the scope of data gathered during research, modularize the structure of the data, illustrate the data using images, graphs, and tables, compress the data, and evaluate probability data, statistical inclinations, and derive sound conclusions (Mihas, 2019). This research will apply descriptive, content, and exploratory analysis. The descriptive analysis method includes arranging, manipulating, and interpreting raw data from different sources to create valuable insights. The exploratory analysis method includes drawing connections in the data collected during research and generating hypotheses and solutions for the problems identified in the research (Mihas, 2019).
The content analysis method includes determining the presence of specific content in a wide range of data collected during research. The researcher will begin the content analysis process by selecting the specific content that will be analyzed, such as information on the changes in the level of pollution as indicated in the environmental reports and the reduction of waste in landfills. The second step will be distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant data. The third step will be categorizing data based on similarity in their content. For instance, data on changes in environmental pollution will be put in one group, and the other group will include data on the changes in the amount of waste in landfills. The researcher will then analyze the results by looking at the patterns and correlations in the grouped data.
Proposed Time Frame of the Study
The research timeline will determine the scheduling of activities in the research study because the research results have to be submitted to the research sponsor within a reasonable timeline. The proposed timeframe for the research is two months. In the first week of May, the researcher will identify all relevant sources of information for the research, including the environmental reports that will be used. The researcher will also create a research plan during the first week of May and select the area where observation will be done to determine the relationship between the changes in the level of environmental pollution and households and manufacturing companies’ recycling habits. In the second week of May, the researcher will draft the different sections of the research paper and create an outline that will be used to ensure that no critical data is left out. The researcher will also issue an informed consent to individuals interested in participating in the research.
In the third week of May, the researcher will distribute the questionnaires to individuals who submit a signed informed consent form and record the observations about the amount of waste in landfills and the recycling habits of manufacturing companies and households in the selected study area. The researcher will then start writing the research in the fourth week of May. The research writing process will take three weeks because the researcher has to repeat the observation of the study area to determine changes in the amount of waste in landfills in relation to the changes in households and manufacturing companies’ recycling habits. The researcher will then finalize writing the research paper in the first week of June. The written research will be submitted as a draft to the research supervisor and institution research board in the second week of June. In the third week of June, the researcher will begin editing the research based on the feedback provided by the supervisor and institute research board. The final research paper will then be submitted to the sponsors in the fourth week of June.
Research Budget
| Item | Amount |
| Transport | $500 |
| Observation data collection assistant | $1000 |
| External hard disk | $2000 |
| Internet | $500 |
| Consultation | $500 |
| Total | $4000 |
The budget includes all anticipated costs that the researcher may incur based on the nature of the study and data collection methods. However, it may change based on any unforeseen costs during the research. Therefore, the final budget will be provided upon completion of the research.
References
Al Arni, S. S., & Elwaheidi, M. M. (2020). Waste Management Hierarchy. Concise Handbook of Waste Treatment Technologies, 23-28. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003112266-5
Flick, U. (2020). Introducing research methodology: Thinking your way through your research project. SAGE.
Guetterman, T. C. (2020). Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research sampling strategies. Education. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199756810-0241
Madaleno, M. (2018). Environmental pollution, waste generation, and human health. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.26717/bjstr.2018.08.001671
Mihas, P. (2019). Qualitative data analysis. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1195
Miksza, P., & Elpus, K. (2018). Descriptive research design. Oxford Scholarship Online. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199391905.003.0003
Milios, L., Esmailzadeh Davani, A., & Yu, Y. (2018). Sustainability impact assessment of increased plastic recycling and future pathways of plastic waste management in Sweden. Recycling, 3(3), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling3030033
Müller, R. (2012). Stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change. Royal Society of Chemistry.
Owa, F. (2014). Water pollution: Sources, effects, control and management. International Letters of Natural Sciences, 8, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.18052/www.scipress.com/ilns.8.1
Radhakrishnan, S. (2015). Environmental implications of reuse and recycling of packaging. Environmental Footprints of Packaging, 165-192. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-913-4_7
Sapsford, R., & Jupp, V. (2006). Data collection and analysis. SAGE.
Srivastava, B. S. (2013). Cholera and drinking water. Water and Health, 75-92. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1029-0_5
Theodore, M. K., & Theodore, L. (2021). The pollution prevention concept. Introduction to Environmental Management, 267-275. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003171126-35
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Question 
Complete the following requirements for the Business Research Proposal – Part 2 assignment:
Make edits to Part 1 of the Business Research Proposal based on the feedback received from the instructor for the assignment submitted at the end of Week 4. Also, adjust your working title as needed to correspond with the research study as closely as possible.
The Benefits of Recycling for the Environment- Pollution, Air, and Water
Describe the research design, showing how you will plan for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data created to answer the research questions. The research design should address these areas:
2.1 Type of study – exploratory and descriptive.
2.2 Data collection methods – established how data or information will be collected to answer the research question or test a hypothesis.
2.3 The sampling design – the method that supports the process of selecting the right individuals, objects, or events as representatives or a subset of the population to be studied; and
2.4 Data analysis – using statistical methods to organize, represent, describe, evaluate, and interpret data.
3. Describe the proposed time frame of the study, including information on when the written report will be handed over to the sponsors.
4. Create a budget that details the anticipated costs of specific expenditures related to the proposed study.
5. Include a “Reference List” of all sources used that is formatted in APA writing style.