Patrick Hu

Butt It Out

Introduction

I joined the UCSD Environmental, Health, and Safety department as the Stormwater Management Intern as part of my major’s senior internship project (Environmental Systems). My role focused on researching and analyzing solutions that would curb littering behavior on campus.

I conducted 2 experiments: Poster and Bucket experiments. To begin, I picked 2 sites for the poster and 3 sites for the bucket. Before starting anything, I assessed the trash level at all three sites and picked up all cigarette butts in the area to create a baseline for the experiment. In total, I picked up cigarette butts at the following sites: 1,500 at Pacific Hall, 60 at the Village, 200 at Rock Bottom Bridge.

The Village

Rock Bottom Bridge

Pacific Hall

Experiment 1: Poster

In the beginning of the project, I designed posters as a potential solution to change smokers’ behavior. Using an online graphic design website, Canva, I created two posters with anti-littering messages as an attempt to have them reconsider throwing cigarette butts to the ground.

These posters were posted on walls or lamp posts in two areas: the Village and Pacific Hall. I conducted weekly trash assessments for a couple weeks to measure the difference in the number of cigarette butss picked up. However, after comparing the data, I noticed that there was not a significant trend to establish how effectives the posters were. As a result, I moved on to the bucket experiment.

Experiment 2: Bucket

The second method I used was a “Butt Bucket”. I created the bucket to serve as a cigarette receptacle that would encourage smokers to utilize the bucket to dispose of their cigarettes instead of leaving it on the ground. The bucket included posters from the previous experiment to bolster the message of anti-littering. Additionally, I expanded the bucket experiment to the Rock Bottom Bridge to include another hotspot for cigarette smokers. From there, I conducted weekly trash assessment and determined that there were significant trends at all three sites.

Results

At Pacific Hall, the bucket helped reduce the total number of cigarette butts on the ground. However, based on the graph, there was a gradual increase in cigarette butts on the ground. As a result, this experiment was not effective in curbing littering behavior.

At the Village, there were mixed results based on the weekly amount of cigarette butts picked and the graph demonstrates a neutral trend. As a result, this experiment could not confirm if the bucket was effective or not effective.

At Rock Bottom bridge, the graph demonstrates a positive trend with less cigarette butts picked up each week. Overall, this site had the most significant impact in the amount of cigarettes collected in the bucket and saw a 40% decrease from the first to the last cleanup. As a result, experiment confirmed the bucket at this site was effective in curbing littering behavior.

Conclusion

This experiment provided data to support having a bucket at the Rock Bottom bridge would be the most effective way to curb littering behavior. Potential recommendations for the future would be to expand the Butt Buckets to significant hotspots on campus and designate those areas for people to smoke. Another alternative would be to reform how the UCSD Police Department gives out citations to smokers by incorporating an educational component on the dangers of smoking and cigarette littering along with a fine.

BIMAP

Biofilter Installation to Mitigate Anthropogenic Pollution

Introduction

For our final project in Introduction to GIS and GPS for Scientists, our group analyzed the impact that anthropogenic activities have on “The Knoll”, a Natural Coastal Reserve designated to protect fragile ecosystems. Due to frequent visitors that explore and hike there, the Knoll is subjected to urban runoff and other waste. Using ESRI ArcGIS to manipulate the LIDAR, SANDAG, and GPS data collected, our team analyzed the soil and elevation data to propose natural remediation biofilters to be installed at locations at the Knoll and marine coastline to minimize human impact and other negative externalities.

Data & Analysis

Hydrological Features

To begin, our group created an elevation profile with color maps and contours to depict the vertical changes on the Knoll (Figure 1). Using the elevation data and mathematical calculation, we created a contour map of of Flow Direction to illustrate the general direction of flow (Figure 2).

Figure 1

Figure 2

Using the two figures, we mapped out the stream channel network of the Knoll System, with the yellow to red gradient depicting the area of concentrated flow (Figure 4). We picked location 1 and 2 on Figure 3 as potential areas to install the biofilter system. When we factored in the fact that there is a parking lot at location 1, we determined that it would be optimal to install the filter there due to the potential pollutants the water runoff would accumulate at that location.

Figure 3

Figure 4

Soil characteristics

Using the soil data from SANDAG, we labeled the two different soil types at the Knoll in Figure 5: Chestern fine sandy loam and terrace escarpments. Some of the characteristics that are attributed to the sandy loam are slow permeability, slow to medium runoff, and gentle to moderate steep surfaces. Nearby, the Terrace escarpments are on steeps lows with sparse vegetation, except with areas of grass and shrubs; this demonstrates that runoff occurs down the cliffs and towards the ocean.

Figure 5

The two main plants that make up the Knoll are Artemisia Californica and Encelia Californica. In Figure 6, you can see the different plants in the Knoll, with large numbers of Artemisia in the northwest and southeast of the Knoll while Encelia covering most of the southwest and center of the Knoll. Artemisia generally uses less water than than Encelia; this correlates to the plant distribution in the Knoll where the areas that water flows through has more Encelia and vice versa.

Figure 6

Conclusion

The two main plants that make up the Knoll are Artemisia Californica and Encelia Californica. In Figure 6, you can see the different plants in the Knoll, with large numbers of Artemisia in the northwest and southeast of the Knoll while Encelia covering most of the southwest and center of the Knoll. Artemisia generally uses less water than than Encelia; this correlates to the plant distribution in the Knoll where the areas that water flows through has more Encelia and vice versa.

Shipment Training Reorganization

Introduction

When I first started working at Everspring Corporation as the Supply Chain Coordinator, the previous worker Crystal trained me on the Logistical/Supply Chain process. Although there was no manual guide and examples for me to follow, I took detailed notes and executed my responsibilities. When my manager notified that they were planning on hiring someone new to help out the office, I suggested that I can assist with creating a more helpful and detailed guide for the new employee.

Training Notes and Presentation

On Powerpoint, I transferred the notes used in the other documents and condensed it to list major points of the direct shipment process. This would create a more visual approach to understanding the process. I used arrow boxes to indicate the main objectives and then added arrows and boxes below to indicate the more detailed steps to take. I used the thinner arrows to indicate the direction of the steps to the next column to make it easier for new employees to follow.

Employee Evaluation

After seeing my training notes, my manager tasked me with recreating the rubric to evaluate individual performance. She wanted to conduct a peer to peer evaluation and give feedback on each employee’s progress and look for areas of improvement. The rubric previously used had many categories that was not relevant in addressing individual’s responsibilities. I combined similar categories and rewrote the description in each score per category.

Lasting Effects

My coworker told me that the notes and presentation that I created was helpful for her when she first started working here. Now, as she transitions out of her position, she refers to my notes and presentation when guiding the new employee that will replace her. Additionally, my manager expressed her appreciation with the employee evaluation rubric that I updated because it allowed provide constructive feedback to each person.

EU Should Recycle

Introduction

As a Residential Advisor for UCSD, I was in charge of providing resources and hosting events for a building of 120 first year residents. Each quarter, each building only received $125, which equated to $1 per person. I wanted to find ways to get more funding in order to put on more quality events that residents would attend. Additionally, most of the recycling bins and waste at UCSD was not processed and recycled properly so I wanted my building to play a part in addressing that issue. Many residents might have desires to help the environment but don’t know how to go about it; One idea was to create a recycling program that every resident could partake in.

The program creates a platform for them to feel empowered and take the next steps towards improving the environment. We would use the recyclables collected to exchange it for money at a recycling center addressing the funding and waste issue simultaneously. To incentivize residents to participate, I made the recycling program a competition between each suite of residents; at the end of the competition, the suite that collected the most recyclable would receive a portion of the funds collected and would use it for something that would benefit their whole suite.

Project Detail

Setup

In the beginning of the program, each suite was given a recycling basket with plastic bags to shore their recyclables collected each week. I also notified the custodial staff to not collect the recyclables since it was part of a building program and they supported us by providing larger bags to collect the bottles and cans.

Competition

In order to get residents to participate in the program and other programs I hosted, I created a point system for each suite to earn points. There were two ways to earn points: attend weekly newsletters and/or collect cans and bottles to be recycled. For each resident that attended newsletters, they would get 1 point; for each bottle/can they collect, they would be .1 points.

Lasting Effects

At the end of the program, the winning suite was 400; they collected a total of 1,259 bottles/cans. Collectively as a building, we recycled over 4,200 bottles/cans. Towards the end of the program, our residents recycled less per week. While that can easily be attributed to a lack of participation or interest, it was actually due to their desire to be more sustainable. When residents saw how much plastics and aluminum cans they accumulated per week, they began to shift to more sustainable options such as using reusable aluminum bottles sold at the bookstore.

EU Programming Committee

Introduction

I was a Residential Advisor for a group of 120 first year residents. One of my main responsibilities was creating events for residents to partake in. However, towards the end of the year, some residents wanted to and were eager to be more involved with the residential community. As a result, I formed a new programming committee called the Europe Hall Programming Committee (EUPC) for residents who wanted to contribute more. Since we had 13 members, we split our committee split in two and featured one small and one large project for the building.

Events/Projects

Merch and Mac

One thing that some residents wanted to see was merchandise for Europe Hall, something tangible that they can remember by and show off to other residents. The first group was responsible for designing and ordering stickers and pins. On the stickers, they created something that embodies Europe Hall; On the pins, they designed it to indicate which RA they support (jokingly).

Once the merchandise was ordered, the residents created a facebook event to invite and welcome their peers to attend; they included food in the form of macaroni and cheese to get more participants. Over 40 residents attended and picked up merchandise. The next couple of days, other residents were talking about Europe Hall merchandise that we passed out to our residents. After the merchandise gained more visibility, our residents that did not receive it started asking us for them!

Europe Hall Yearbook/Oh My Dawgs

Our other group in the committee was in charge of creating a yearbook for all the residents at the end of the year, similar to what seniors do at the end of high school. Additionally, they wanted to expand the event to have something to include the whole community by incorporating dogs for residents to come and play with.

To publish the yearbook, the group went around to all the suites and took pictures of the residents in each suite. They also asked residents to nominate superlatives such as “Best…” and “Most likely…”

Once the yearbook was published, the group began to plan for the event with dogs, Oh My Dawgs. They contacted students, professors and administrators that had dogs and invited them to bring their dogs to the event.

The event got the attention as word spread throughout the community that there would be dogs. Many residents saw the group’s booth and multiple dogs running around the area and participated in the event; the turnout of the event was over 80 participants.

Lasting Effects

While most of the events were at the end of the year, the residents of Europe Hall noticed the groups efforts and praised their efforts. Many even wished for events like these to have been held earlier during the year. It was encouraging to see that their peers were asking for more events to be put on by EUPC, demonstrating the positive impact that this group has on Europe Hall and the community.

As an RA, the goals are to get residents involved in the community and hosting events for them to attend. EUPC fulfilled both goals; it made the job easier by having an established and comprehensive programming models that encourage peer to peer interaction and community growth through well executed events that caters to the community. With this experience, many members of EUPC have branched to student leadership positions within the community or have taken more responsibilities with their campus organization.

Patrick Hu

Contact

Here's a resume!

Butt It Out

BIMAP

Shipment Training Reorganization

EU Should Recycle

EU Programing Committee

Butt It Out

Introduction

Experiment 1: Poster

Experiment 2: Bucket

Results

Conclusion

BIMAP

Biofilter Installation to Mitigate Anthropogenic Pollution

Introduction

Data & Analysis

Hydrological Features

Soil characteristics

Conclusion

Shipment Training Reorganization

Introduction

Training Notes and Presentation

Employee Evaluation

Lasting Effects

EU Should Recycle

Introduction

Project Detail

Setup

Competition

Lasting Effects

EU Programming Committee

Introduction

Events/Projects

Merch and Mac

Europe Hall Yearbook/Oh My Dawgs

Lasting Effects