Boxes for Batteries

Purifying the Planet One Bottle at a Time

Presented by:
Malik Wilson Javier Vasquez
Esra Zahra Melissa Zhang

To Dallas Chamber of Commerce for Business Gives Back Competition 2016

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............3
1.1 Objective of Proposal ......3
1.2 Why in Dallas? ...3
1.3 Effects of the Proposal ....3
1.4 Summary of Proposal ...4
2. Background .....4
2.1 Battery Pollution Effects on Water ....4
2.2 Flint Water Crisis ..5
2.3TCE Partnership .....6
3. The Proposal ....................6
3.1 Outline .6
3.2 Box Attachments ..7
3.3 Test Areas ..8
3.4 Distribution .....9
3.5 Pickup ................9
3.6 Measures of Success ....9
4. Staffing and Budget ....10
4.1 Staff ..............10
4.1.1 Dallas Plastics Corporation........10
4.1.2 Waste Management Employees ....10
4.1.3 Community ............10
4.2 One Year Test Budget ...11
4.3 Budget Analysis ..11
Targeted Question and Answer .12
Authorization Form ...14
References.15

BOXES FOR BATTERIES

1. Introduction
1.1 Objective of Proposal
Ozarkas Project Management Team has designed a plan to present a solution to the Dallas
Regional Chamber of Commerce on the issue of battery recycling rates in Dallas. The aim of the
proposal is to increase rates through our project, Boxes for Batteries. This project will
implement a convenient way of disposing batteries. Through this program, Ozarkas team
hopes to increase awareness towards recycling, and create a positive impact in the
environmental health of Dallas community.

1.2 Why in Dallas?

The Ozarka brand has served the South Central U.S. since its founding in 1905 (Ozarka Water).
Ozarkas water is selected from three natural springs in Texas, and we want to give back to
these communities. Thus, we are proposing Boxes for Batteries to promote an environmentally
healthier Dallas.
The city of Dallas has a large population density, size, and range of influence. These
characteristics drew us to start in Dallas because we believe we will have a higher chance of
success in recycling rates. The population is very diverse and it makes it easier to gauge which
groups are more likely to recycle, whether through age, ethnicity, religion, or any other
demographic.
Batteries are often rarely recycled and its up to the community to ensure the environment is
safe from hazardous chemicals contaminating landfills. These toxins pollute both lakes and
rivers which creates a triple effect between the environment, humans, and wildlife. Ozarka
wants to make a difference in the community of Dallas, and we offer a solution to increase
battery recycling rates in Dallas.

1.3 Effects of the Proposal

Our proposal outlines a program to have DFW batteries properly recycled. The program will
educate DFW households about the hazardous effects of improper battery disposal and will
encourage them to spread the word. The program will provide box attachments to the
community and teach households how to use them. We expect to motivate DFW households to
use our box attachments and to regularly participate in curbside battery recycling. It is expected
that battery recycling rates will soar due to the convenience and education that our program
provides for the community. We expect to see a notable decline in battery acid in groundwater
over time. We hope that this program brings battery recycling to the forefront of
environmental activism and advocacy. This program should motivate others to find solutions
for the environmental issues facing the DFW.

BOXES FOR BATTERIES

1.4 Summary of the Proposal

This document informs about the effects of improper battery disposal and outlines a solution
developed by the Ozarka team. This project introduces an innovative recycling attachment box
and a plan to add batteries to curbside recycle. It details the logistics of the curbside recycling,
identifying who will collect the recycled batteries and where the batteries will be correctly
disposed. Also, it details the DFW testing areas for the project and the reason these areas were
chosen. This outlines the necessity of participation from the community and how we plan to get
the community involved. This proposal includes the necessary support for the project, including
staffing and budgeting information. Lastly, it includes a measurement to gauge the success of
the project and an expansion plan if it proves successful.
In this document, we:
1. Highlight the problem of improper battery disposal
2. Outline a solution to the problem
3. Introduce the recycling attachment box
4. Detail logistics of recycling plan
5. Identify testing areas
6. Request the community involvement
7. Explain budgeting and staffing information
8. Offer a measurement of success
9. Detail a guide for expansion

2. Background
2.1 Battery Pollution Effects on Water
According to U.S. EPA, Americans purchase nearly 3 billion dry cell batteries every year and
consumer battery recycling rates range from around 2% - 7% (Gabor, n.d.). As stated by a
report published by Carnegie Mellon University, the composition of batteries poses no threat to
human life while in use (Damian, 1991). Problems arise after a battery has been used and not
properly disposed. If not disposed correctly through the use of liners collection systems,
batteries along with other waste materials remaining properties enter the ground and
consequently contaminate soil and groundwater.
Leachate, a toxic liquid formed from disposed garbage, leaches from soil in landfills into
groundwater if not taken care of immediately. After battery components come into contact
with leachate, it creates multiple pollution problems affecting water, soil, air, etc. (Dillon, 1994).
Several chemicals found in batteries are lead, cadmium, zinc, mercury. The World Health
Organization (WHO) discovered that most types of soil have a high capacity for lead and a
neutral capacity for other metals (Bartram & Ballance, 1996). This is how battery toxins,
through the help of leachate, enter groundwater and create havoc to human life. The many side
effects of such an alarming catastrophe may lead to nausea, kidney damage, skin irritation,
abdominal pain and more (Dillon, 1994).


BOXES FOR BATTERIES

The two reported chemicals that need to

be reduced the most from batteries are
lead and cadmium which have been
proven to create the most damage
(Damian, 1991). To the right is a visual of
the effects cadmium has on plants. These
plants are consumed by animals and other
wildlife. In addition, humans consume
those animals and therefore are affected
as well.


Cadmium Effects on Plants (CMK ENG Research, n.d.)

2.2 Flint Water Crisis

An ongoing current event that we found relatable

to this project is the Flint water crisis. Flint is a
perfect example of just how dangerous batteries
could be. In April 2014, a water crisis broke out in
Flint, Michigan. Flints main water supply came
from the Detroit River. After reviewing ways to cut
budget costs, the city learned it was less
expensive to switch their water supply to Lake
Huron. Following this change, there was a
noticeable difference between Detroits water
and Hurons water. The water from Huron was
discolored and sandy looking (refer to the picture
on the left). It was later discovered that the water
was contaminated, and between 6,000 to 12,000
children were diagnosed with high lead levels
(Chapman, 2016).
Flint Water Comparison (Flint Water, 2015)
Although the water crisis had nothing to do with batteries, Flints contaminated water was still
associated with the batterys properties. It was determined that the river water, which, due to
higher chloride concentration, was leaching lead from aging pipes (Flint Water, 2015). Lead is
the most prominent chemical found in a battery, and it also holds the highest capacity in soil
(leading to groundwater) which is what contaminates the water. Months have gone by and no
lasting solution has taken effect. Flints residents continue to suffer being forced to rely on
other methods of acquiring water, such as bottled water from depleted supplies.

BOXES FOR BATTERIES

2.3 TCE Partnership

Ozarka has chosen to partner with the Texas
Campaign for the Environment (TCE) in the
Boxes for Batteries effort. TCE is a grassroots
advocacy organization that focuses on health
and environmental issues in the state of Texas.

TCE Logo (TCE, 2016)

Started in 1991, TCE has a long-standing record for influencing governmental policy, increasing
awareness and mobilizing the community to action. Its very first success is a great testament to
its record: from 1991 to 1992, TCE raised community awareness of the necessity of curbside
recycling in Dallas and Arlington. After amassing 90,000 votes from like-minded civilians, TCE
successfully convinced the cities of Dallas and Arlington to adopt the first citywide curbside
recycling programs in the DFW (Victories, 2016).
A decade later and with 15 notable successes under its belt, TCE convinced the Austin
Independent School District to use cleaner-burning diesel fuel for its busesmaking breathing a
bit easier for school children in 2001 (Victories, 2016). Pushing forward another decade, TCE
added the Texas TV Takeback law to its then 50-item-long results list in 2011 (Victories, 2016).
This law requires TV manufactures to collect and recycle obsolete TVs and is just one of many
other laws pushed forward by TCE.
Through its 25-year record, this organization has shown itself to be adamantly principled and
results driven. We at Ozarka believe that this group would be the best to help initiate this
project.

3. The Proposal
3.1 Outline
Ozarka aims to increase the rates of battery recycling among different communities of Dallas,
and to promote overall environmental health.
We propose a solution to low battery recycling rates by providing easier access for people to
recycle batteries. Our plan is to distribute containers for households and commercial areas. We
will try our plan in different test areas of Dallas to see the results and what we can do to
improve battery recycling participation rates.
We will implement a one year testing period of battery recycling collection to see if its results
are effective in increasing battery recycling rates in these test areas. The goal of this one year
testing period is to see an increase of at least 20% in battery recycling participation rates. If the
project is successful, we would like to expand this project to other areas in Dallas, or perhaps
the whole Dallas community, and implement a long-term process.
The costs of our project will total to $53,256.00 for our initial testing period. Half of the costs
will be funded through our nonprofit partner, Texas Campaign for the Environment, and by the
BOXES FOR BATTERIES

city of Dallas. We ask the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce to fund the other half of our
project.

3.2 Box Attachments

What we found is that the most important thing to encourage consumers to recycle is
convenience (Gabor, n.d.). Call2Recycle research found that consumers defined convenience
as a combination of easy and distance to travel (Gabor, n.d., p.1). As a result, our Ozarka
team has designed battery containers that provide an easy way to dispose of dead batteries.
These box attachments will hold dead batteries to be picked up and recycled. The containers
will be a bright blue to make sure it is noticeable and easy to locate. It will be able to close
securely during inclement weather and has hooks that can attach to the side of a recycling or
garbage bin.

BOXES FOR BATTERIES


We expect commercial areas to have a larger amount of dead batteries to be recycled. As a
result, commercial areas will receive larger containers that can be left next to their outdoor
dumpsters. These larger containers will look similar to the residential test area attachments.
They will still be bright blue, and closeable, but just larger in size to accommodate more
batteries.

3.3 Test Areas

A 2014 report by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) shows that people from ages
eighteen to thirty-four were 33% likely to recycle, and people over the age of thirty-five were
54% likely to recycle (ISRI, 2014). This report also shows that young adults are more likely to
recycle than the older generation, so we chose to focus on a young to middle age range from
eighteen to fifty (ISRI, 2014). Our team also
believes that this group would be the most
influential to others, and would encourage the
people around them to recycle. Based on this
information and the population density of
Dallas, we chose four test areas for our initial
testing period.

Richardson
Garland
Highland Park
Oak Cliff

Census Viewer Interactive Map (Census Viewer, 2010)

BOXES FOR BATTERIES

During our testing period we will gather information about the demographics of the test areas
and their rates of recycling. We will also see if battery recycling rates will increase as a result of
Boxes for Batteries.

3.4 Distribution
We will distribute these box attachments and informational letters through the postal service
to the residential testing areas. Residents in the test area will put their battery box attachments
onto their normal garbage or recycling bins. Commercial areas will receive a larger battery
disposal box delivered by Dallas Plastics Corporation. The commercial area box will be placed
on-site next to their dumpster.

3.5 Pickup
Both the residential and commercial areas will
have their dead batteries picked up by Waste
Management employees along with the normal
garbage pick up. The dead batteries gathered by
Waste Management will be sent off to battery
recycling drop-off locations.
Rapid Rail Truck (Heil of Texas, 2007)
The purpose of Boxes for Batteries is to make recycling batteries easier, not to recycle to
batteries themselves. Therefore, we would pass them off to existing drop-off locations for them
to be recycled.

3.6 Measures of Success

We will measure our success based on the increase in percentage of battery recycling from
before and after our project implementation. Our goal is to have a substantial increase of at
least 20% in battery recycling rates of our test areas. At an increase of 20% or more, we will
consider our project successful.
If the increase is 20% or less, we will not continue Boxes for Batteries into a long term plan. If
results on battery recycling are lower than expected, we will go back to our project plan and
see what needs to be improved upon to increase battery recycling rates.
If our project is successful, we will look at the data we have gathered and see what areas had
the highest turnout for recycling batteries. We will also see if our project can be expanded into
other areas of Dallas, and will start building a long term plan for Boxes for Batteries.

BOXES FOR BATTERIES

4. Staffing and Budget

4.1 Staff
Our staffing includes Waste Management employees, Dallas Plastics Corporation, and most
importantly, the community. We will need the Waste Management employees to pick up
batteries from the containers in residential and commercial areas, and drop them off to battery
recycling locations. This project is largely based on community involvement. The community is
already involved in recycling paper with city sanitation services. We want to expand that
relationship and encourage households to recycle batteries using the same relationships and
materials they currently use to recycle. The job of our organization is to teach and encourage
the community to reach the next step in recycling which results in a healthier environment.

4.1.1 Dallas Plastics Corporation

Dallas Plastics Corporation will be producing the residential bin attachments and commercial
battery recycling bins for the project. It will take the plastic manufacturer an estimated three
weeks to complete the order. Dallas Plastics Corporation will ship the bin attachments via USPS
to the residents and will deliver the commercial bins to their expected locations. This project
will be ready to begin August 2016.

4.1.2 Waste Management Employees

After speaking with the City Manager of Dallas, it was determined that this service will be free
for all residents during the testing period. The Waste Management employees will pick up the
recyclable batteries on the same days as the recyclable trash. Once the recyclable batteries
have been picked up, they will be dropped off to recycling centers at the end of each week.

4.1.3 Community
Ultimately, without the community this project can
not be completed. Texas Campaign for the
Environment has had previous success in Houston
with a similar battery recycling project. This non profit
organization concluded that if recycling is well
implemented and made convenient to the residents
of Dallas, many will recycle.

Keep Calm Poster (KeepCalm-O-Matic, 2013)

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4.2 One Year Test Budget

Staff
Residents of the test areas $0.00
Dallas Plastics Corporation $0.00
Waste Management Employees $0.00
Total Staff $0.00

Funding for Residential Test Areas
Recyclable Bin Attachments $35,200.00
(6400 Bin attachments x $5.50 = $35,200.00)

Total Funding for Residential Test Areas $35,200.00

Funding for Commercial Test Areas
Commercial Recyclable Battery Bins $12,000.00
(1200 Bins x $10.00 = $12,000.00)

Total Funding for Commercial Test Areas $12,000.00

Support Materials
Informational Letters $1,920.00
(6400 x $0.30 = $1,920.00)
Cost to Mail Letters $3,136.00
(6400 x $0.49 = $3,136.00)
Total Support Materials $5,056.00

Extra
Miscellaneous $1,000.00
$1000 for Additional Expenses
Total Extra $1,000.00

Grand Total for Project $53,256.00

4.3 Budget Analysis

The Boxes for Batteries Project will cost a grand total of $53,256.00 which will cover expenses
including a total of 6400 residential recycling bin attachments and 1200 commercial battery
bins. The support materials for the project consist of $0.49 to mail each letter and $0.30 to
create the informational letters that will be sent to each resident. Each residential address
selected in the test area will receive a letter informing the resident when and what theyll be
receiving. Also, an additional $1,000.00 is included to prepare for any unanticipated expenses.
Each residential test area will receive 1600 plastic bin attachments where they will be able to
dispose their batteries correctly. Each commercial test area will receive 400 commercial
recyclable battery bins. Texas Campaign for the Environment and the City of Dallas will cover
$26,628.00 of the project budget. The Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce will cover the
other $26,628.00.
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11

Targeted Question and Answer

What are some of your long term plans?
If the data from the test areas suggest promise, we will expand the project to similar areas. It is
our hope that the City of Dallas is convinced of the value of the project and the efficiency of the
solution. We plan to introduce battery recycling to regular waste management in the city. If this
happens, donations will no longer be needed. The City of Dallas will adopt our solution and
charge the cost of waste management to all households.
Where are the batteries going that we are picking up?
There are already battery drop-off locations somewhat unevenly placed in all cities. A lack of
information and inconvenience prevent people from disposing batteries in these designated
locations. We want to reduce the communitys job to simply removing batteries from the house
and onto the curb. The work of taking batteries to dispensaries will be delegated to sanitation
workers.
How will the batteries separate from the trash once dumped into the truck?
The box attachments are the first way that batteries will be separated from other waste.
There will be compartments designated for batteries on each participating truck. These
compartments will serve to keep batteries separate.


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How does the Flint Water Crisis relate to your project?

The Flint Water Crisis is associated with our project in that both highlight the contamination of
water due to harmful chemical such as lead. The source of the lead is the difference in our
project and the Flint issue. We focus on lead contamination due to batteries while Flints water
was contaminated due to lead pipes. We mentioned the Flint Water Crisis to highlight the
hazardousness of battery chemicals through a recognizable current event that focuses on a
similar core issue: water purity.

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Authorization Form
Please authorize initiation of our Boxes for Batteries Project with the form below
Authorization
The Dallas Chamber of Commerce hereby authorizes Ozarka to initiate the Boxes for
Batteries Project, as presented on April 22, 2016. The Dallas Chamber of Commerce
also agrees to remit funding for the project by July 5th, 2016, including their half of the
cost - $26,628.00. Ozarka and Texas Campaign for the environment will fund the
remaining $26,628.00 for the project.
Notarized Authorization Signatures
Dallas Chamber of Commerce
________________________
Printed Name

________________________
Signature

____________
Date

________________________
Signature

____________
Date

Malik Wilson

_________________________
Signature

____________
Date

Esra Zahra

___________________________
Signature

_____________
Date

Melissa Zhang

___________________________
Signature

_____________
Date

Ozarka
Javier Vasquez

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References
Bartram, J., & Ballance, R. (1996). Water Quality Monitoring. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/wqmchap7.pdf
Census Viewer Map. (2010). Dallas, Texas Population. Retrieved from
http://censusviewer.com/city/TX/Dallas
Chapman, L. (2016). United Way Estimates Cost of Helping Children $100M. WNEM (Meredith
Corporation). Retrieved from http://www.wnem.com/story/30995770/united-wayestimates-cost-of-helping-children-100m
CMK ENG Research. (n.d.). Cadmium Effects on Plants. Retrieved from
http://www.uhasselt.be/UH/CMK-en/CMK-eng-Research/Researchgroups/Environmental-Biology.html
Columbia University. (n.d.). Battery Recycling. Retrieved from
http://ehs.columbia.edu/RecycleBattery.html
Denchak, M. (2016). Recycling: Beyond the Bin. Retrieved from
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/recycling-beyond-bin
Dillon, C. (1994). The Ecological Impact of Batteries. Retrieved from
http://repository.cmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1216&context=ece
Flint Water. (2015). Flint Water Comparison. Retrieved from
http://flintwaterstudy.org/tag/comparison-tests/
Gabor, Linda. (n.d.). Curbside Recycling: Will convenience increase battery collections?
Environmental Leader. Retrieved from http://www.call2recycle.org/curbside-recyclingwill-convenience-increase-battery-collections/
Heil of Texas. (2007). Rapid Rail Truck.
http://www.heiloftexas.com/productsItem.asp?intProductID=RapidRail
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. (2014). Harris Survey on America's Attitudes and
Opinions. Retrieved from http://www.isri.org/docs/default-source/recycling-analysis(reports-studies)/harris-survey-on-america's-attitudes-and-opinions-about-reycling2014.pdf?sfvrsn=4&sfvrsn=4
KeepCalm-O-Matic. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calmand-recycle-batteries-2/

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Metal Conversion. (2015). BRME Outlines the Importance of Battery Recycling. Retrieved from
http://metalconversion.com/brme-outlines-the-importance-of-battery-recycling/
Ozarka Water. (n.d.) Our Story. Ozarka Water. Retrieved from
https://www.ozarkawater.com/our-story/
Texas Campaign for the Environment. (2016). TCE Logo. Retrieved from
https://www.texasenvironment.org
Victories - Texas Campaign for the Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2016, from
https://www.texasenvironment.org/victories/
Wieman, B. (n.d.). Importance of Recycling Batteries. Retrieved from
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/importance-recycling-batteries-79299.html

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