Identify the Current Issue/Problem in Your Neighborhood/Community : Persuasive Communication Assignment, NTU, Singapore

Problem 

• Identify the current issue/problem in your neighborhood/community
• Provide background information regarding the issue/problem
• Identify who is affected by the issue/problem
• Ensure that the cause(s) of the problem is(are) clearly written
• Provide sufficient evidence to support the problem statement

 According to the National Environmental Agency (NEA), textile waste had increased from 150,700 tonnes in 2016 to 220,800 tonnes in 2018. Singapore’s textile waste recycling rate remains stagnant at a low rate of 10 percent since

In which only 6 percent of the total textile waste was recycled in 2018, and the remaining 94 percent was then incinerated into residual ash and disposed of at the Semakau landfill. (National Environment Agency, 2018).

From my observations, there has not been any such outlets where people in Tampines can conveniently recycle their textile waste at any time.

Purpose (approximately 40 – 50 words)

• Ensure that the purpose of the proposal is specific
• State who is your target audience/approving authority
• State what you aim to achieve
• State how your aim will be achieved

To persuade the RC chairperson to encourage textile waste recycling by introducing Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) for textile waste whereby residents can conveniently recycle their old clothes at any time.

Proposed Solution

• Give a concrete description of the solution.
• The solution must be new, or an improvement or adaptation of an existing one.
• Explain how the solution solves the problem
• Provide facts and/or statistics to back your claims
• Use persuasive elements in your explanation
• Use visuals to enhance your explanation

Introduce Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) similar to those for collecting recyclable plastic bottles. However, this RVM is designated for textile waste, such as clothes.

Users can recycle any article of clothing, including tops, pants, dresses, jackets, etc., at any time and be awarded incentives.

These RVMs should be placed at void decks near lifts and coffee shops around the neighborhood, where it is convenient and easily accessible for the residents. Additionally, there would be many passers-by around those areas to be aware of these RVMs.

Thus, they would be more inclined to recycle their old clothes. Users are able to accumulate points for every kg of item recycled (e.g.1kg=5points). After accumulating 15 points, users can receive incentives such as vouchers or non-monetary rewards like Sentosa Fun Pass tokens. This is to motivate them to recycle their textile waste. 

Potential Benefit (approximately 80 – 150 words)

• Describe one potential benefit of the solution
• Include evidence (such as statistics, case study, testimonial) to illustrate the benefit of the proposed idea/solution

With the implementation of the RVMs for textile waste, people will be more encouraged to recycle their old clothes due to their convenience.

Thus, increasing textile waste recycling rates within the neighborhood will ultimately reduce the volume of textile waste going into landfills.

Conclusion (30 – 50 words)

• Ensure that the ending uses persuasive elements
• Reinforce your key message
• Do not include any new information