FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY

HO CHI MINH CITY CAMPUS

---------***--------

FINAL REPORT
Course: Career Development Skill
Topic: Sustainable FTU2
Challenge: Recycling Plastic Straws
Class code: ML341
Class: K63CLC9
Group number: 09
Advisor: Pham Thi Mai Khanh
Nguyen Ngoc Thuy Vy
No Full name Student ID Email

1 Nguyễn Hoàng Minh 2412155257 [email protected]

Thư

2 Lại Thị Phương Thúy 2412155254 [email protected]

3 Nguyễn Minh Thúy 2412155255 [email protected]

4 Lê Minh Thư 2412155256 [email protected]

5 Phan Thị Thu Thủy 2412155253 [email protected]

Ho Chi Minh City, 4th November 2024

 FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY
HO CHI MINH CITY CAMPUS
---------***--------

FINAL REPORT
Course: Career Development Skill
Topic: Sustainable FTU2
Challenge: Recycling Plastic Straws
Class code: ML341
Class: K63CLC9
Group number: 09
Advisor: Pham Thi Mai Khanh
Nguyen Ngoc Thuy Vy
No Full name Student ID Email

1 Nguyễn Hoàng Minh 2412155257 [email protected]

Thư

2 Lại Thị Phương Thúy 2412155254 [email protected]

3 Nguyễn Minh Thúy 2412155255 [email protected]

4 Lê Minh Thư 2412155256 [email protected]

5 Phan Thị Thu Thủy 2412155253 [email protected]

Ho Chi Minh City, 4th November 2024

 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

No. Name of figure Meaning

1 FTU2 Foreign Trade University second campus

2 SDGs Sustainable Development Goals

 TABLE CONTENTS

I. ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………1
II. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………2
1. Definition…………………………………………………………………….2
2. Importance of recycling in university environment………………………….2
III. CONTEXT………………………………………………………………...3
1. Fundamental Challenges and Areas for Enhancement………………………3
1.1 Key challenges in plastic waste management...........................................3
1.2 SWOT Analysis of Recycling Strategies ( Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats).............................................................................5
1.3 Student Perception and Engagement Survey............................................6
2. FTU2 Specific Sustaunability issues...............................................................8
2.1 Current practices at FTU2........................................................................8
2.2 Factors Contributing to Plastic Straw Waste............................................8
IV. PROBLEM
STATEMENT.......................................................................10
1. Indentification of Key issues.........................................................................10
1.1 Problem 1...............................................................................................10
1.1.1 What do they SAY?........................................................................10
1.1.2 What do they THINK?..................................................................10
1.1.3 What do they FEEL?......................................................................10
1.1.4 What do they DO?..........................................................................11
1.1.5 Conclusion......................................................................................11
1.2 Problem 2 (same)..................................................................................11
2. Detailed Problem Statement..........................................................................12
V. PROPOSED SOLUTIONS........................................................................13
1. Creating an online workshop combining the recycling of plastic straws and
crafting...............................................................................................................13
2. Creat a page to inspire handmade products...................................................17
VI. VALIDATION PLAN...............................................................................19
1. Organize an online workshop (steps to implement a workshop, including
objectives, method and outcome in each step)..................................................19
2.Create a page (objectives, key metrics, content strategy, engagement
strategy).............................................................................................................21
VII. CONCLUSION........................................................................................25
VIII. MY TEAM: THE IDEAL TEAM FOR THE TASK..........................27
IX. PROCESS BOOKS...................................................................................29
X. REFERENCES...........................................................................................31
XI. APPENDICES ..........................................................................................3
 1

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the plastic waste management at
FTU2 in detail. This research is mainly driven by the irrational use of
plastic due to the preferrence for convenience and a lack of incentive to
recycle single-use plastic. In this paper, the study was deeply evaluated
by different methods such as survey and data analysis. This research was
conducted in order to seek students’ behaviors in consuming plastic
items. We collected 60 answers from FTU2 students about their plastic
consumption. Throughout our findings, it was illustrated that despite the
availability of alternatives, 85% of students used plastic items regularly
due to their low cost, water-resistant and convenience. This figure proved
that at FTU2, there was a heavy reliance on single-use plastic, which
posed a serious problem on sustainability and plastic management.
Therefore, several strategies were proposed, relating to raising students’
awareness of recycling by organizing a handmade workshop and creating
a page on Facebook.
 2

INTRODUCTION
1. Definition

Sustainability in higher education consists of the integration of

environmental, social, and economic principles into university policies,
practices and curriculum. A university built based on a "green" and
sustainable model is supposed to be an ideal place for education about
sustainability and raising social awareness, environmental responsibility,
which are practical and essential for the students to tackle environmental
challenges in the future.

Sustainability comprises some of key components: curriculum

integration, research, campus operations, campus culture, community
engagement, leadership and governance. A strong campus culture can
promote community involvement by setting a powerful example. Even
small initial actions can result in the change of environmental, economic
and social benefits, laying a foundation for a sustainable future.

2. Importance of recycling in universities

Sustainability is currently an urgent issue in every field all over the

world, including educational institutions. Universities which play an
important role in training future generations of leaders, need to integrate
education on sustainable development at all levels. One of the most basic
criteria for sustainable development at universities is environmental
protection. Therefore, recycling is an essential action. However, this issue
is not receiving attention due to lack of resources and lack of participation
from relevant parties. This report aims to empower FTU2 staff and
students to consider sustainable development as a fundamental
proposition and not an aspiration. By devising effective strategies,
positive changes will be created, enriching the educational experience and
contributing to a sustainable society.
 3

CONTEXT

1.Fundamental Challenges and Areas for Enhancement.

1.1. Key challenges in plastic waste management
1.1.1 Excessive Use of Single-Use Plastics
University students today increasingly rely on disposable plastic straws or
plastic cups, especially in neighborhood coffee shops or restaurants, leading to
significant waste. Above all, small and light straws are often not recycled and
obviously become waste, causing environmental pollution. Universities should
encourage students to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions
such as promoting and attracting reusable straws such as metal or silicon straws
or other types of straws. Paper straws are biodegradable. This helps reduce the
amount of single-use plastic consumed on school grounds in particular, and
reduces environmental pollution in general.
1.1.2 Inadequate Recycling Infrastructure
The school campus's sewer treatment system is not fully and properly equipped
to handle small items such as plastic straws because they can easily slip
through the classification process and clog drains or block other systems.
recycling system. This affects the entire school's facilities and costs a lot of
money to repair. The direction here is that universities can upgrade recycling
infrastructure to thoroughly handle small plastic items. Additionally, deploying
trash classification to only use small items with signs will ensure the recycling
process is smooth and appropriate so as not to affect school facilities. This
motivates students to want to recycle straws that are small, but the products
they bring help life so they don't become useless straws.
1.1.3 Contamination of recycled materials
Pollution not only comes from the decomposition process of a plastic straw,
which can last from 100-500 years, but that pollution also comes from food and
drink residue left on the straws, causing difficulty for recycling in general. For
that reason, many establishments refuse to recycle plastic straws, causing an
increase in the amount of waste sent to landfills. To minimize this situation,
 4

universities and organizations should start implementing campaigns to raise

awareness about washing items before throwing them away since that small
step will lighten the burden. weighs a lot for straw recycling. Additionally,
student volunteers can be placed contiguous recycling bins during peak hours
to encourage people to practice proper waste disposal.
1.1.4 Financial Constraints on Sustainable Upgrades
Implementing sustainable solutions such as recycling bins or constructing a
professional waste treatment system and organizing school-wide awareness
programs causes costs across the school. Public university budgets are unlikely
to accommodate this, often limiting universities' ability to prioritize these
upgrades. However, universities can seek partnerships with large organizations
for funding or collaborate with sustainability-focused organizations to help
fund environmental science research. students, or build or repair deteriorating
facilities. This approach can make sustainability more feasible without placing
undue pressure on university budgets.
The 17 SDGs from the UN present a comprehensive basis against which
pressing challenges for humankind are being addressed to secure a prosperous
future. In this project on the Recycling of Plastic Straws in Universities for
environmental responsibility and sustainable campus practices, some of the
important SDGs are directly or indirectly being attended.

First, the project supports SDG 12: In Consumption and Production. by

reducing the use of single-use plastics as well as launching a straw recycling
movement in simple ways to spread it to students. This project not only
positively addresses the disposable plastic production models that are popular
today but also promotes responsibility and awareness for each student in the
university environment.

In addition, the project also promotes SDG 13: Climate action. By limiting the
amount of environmental emissions related to plastic waste, the project also
helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to the production and
decomposition of plastic. Implementing recycling initiatives to make practical
 5

applications also contributes to educating students about the impact of plastic

on current climate change leading to global warming and causing floods.
floods, storms, and pain.

This initiative also intersects with SDG 14: Life below water and SDG 15: Life
on land by helping to prevent plastic pollution from entering ecosystems. By
recycling straws and reducing plastic waste, the project helps minimize harm to
marine and terrestrial life, conserve biodiversity and promote a healthier natural
environment.
Finally, this recycling project also connects to Sustainable Development Goal
4: Quality education, providing students with many practical and hands-on
learning experiences about management structures. waste and environment.
This promotes a culture of sustainable practice and contributes to a
comprehensive education aimed at sustainable development.
1.2 SWOT Analysis of Recycling Strategies (Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
1.2.1 Strengths
Universities excel in promoting scientific research and sustainable innovation.
Many schools in the area have implemented policies dedicated to sustainable
environmental protection, emphasizing continuous innovation, clarity and
transparency. Lecturers actively participate and work enthusiastically in
implementing scientific and technical research to support students in a
sustainable manner, ensuring effective teaching methods. Green spaces on
campus further encourage student engagement in sustainable activities
1.2.2 Weekness
In addition to those strengths being advertised, there are areas that need further
attention. The styles of leadership among the departments are not yet uniform;
hence, integration of sustainability into the students' curriculum is also not
uniform. Such uneven distribution of sustainable education across curriculums
hampers effectiveness of the project. Additionally, some funding issues can
limit the access to equipment or resources needed in some areas. A university
 6

would lack large-scale experience in recycling logistics, therefore a project

can't run smoothly and hence can't be consistent or broad in scope.
1.2.3. Opportunity
Environmentally sustainable projects can attract industry and government
through seminars and case studies and receive funding from relevant
organizations. Universities can provide grants for student-led sustainability
projects that help amplify the impact of the initiative and raise awareness of
sustainable culture on campus. At the same time, encourage more
environmentally friendly activities. In addition, this attracts large international
organizations to develop the reputation of universities in sustainability
education.
1.2.4 Threat
Weak communication and limited funding hinder sustainable development
efforts, while rapid market changes require adaptation. In addition, academic
pressure on students can affects the continuity of volunteer efforts, especially
during exam periods or breaks. While such regulatory changes in single-use
plastics can have a number of benefits in the long run, they often force abrupt
adjustments upon the operations of the project. But this is a risk that could be
mitigated through proper planning. This, therefore, will make this project a
highly valuable sustainability initiative that can hopefully inspire similar
programs all over the world in other universities.
1.3 Student Perception and Engagement Survey
1.3.2 Student perception
The environmental awareness among students and staff is surprisingly low at
FTU2. A lot of them are really indifferent to the eco-friendly initiative. Most of
them participate in green activities seemingly to gain more points in training
rather than out of commitment to living a sustainable life. The university
curriculum does not value environmental education. Such activities thus have
been left in the hands of the Youth Union and student clubs, which sporadically
organize events amid struggles with a very limited budget and volunteer
resources.
 7

Other challenges are very rampant on campus, including the fact that there are
no laid-down regulations concerning responsible use of energy or recycling of
single-use plastic items like plastic straws. Without a system of tracking energy
consumption or plastic waste, FTU2 lacks the very data necessary in the
formulation of workable sustainable plans. Plastic bag collection programs
exist but have yet to be scaled up into other single-use plastic areas. This sets
the worse scenario for environmental education at FTU2 to embark on an in-
depth and realistic road to campus sustainability.
1.3.2 Survey results
To improve the effectiveness of sustainable development in educating students
to be aware of environmental protection, it is important to capture students'
thoughts on sustainable activities. These studies mostly focus on the
perspectives of FTU2 students
First, on a scale of 1 to 5, students rate the importance of environmental
sustainability. Initial data shows that 90% of ratings 5 (high level of
importance) show students' understanding of the importance of protecting the
environment in a sustainable way, which will be a great foundation in the
future. implementation of our projects. Second, when researching and carefully
examining students' willingness to participate in sustainable projects, the results
were extremely surprising when more than 56% assessed students' readiness as
being at a low level. 5, 25% at level 4, and 15% at level 3. As students are
increasingly willing and motivated to help design initiatives that are sustainable
and effective in the long term. Third, studying the number of straws used per
day by FTU2 students, up to 48.3% of students use one single-use plastic straw
per day and 18.3% of students use more than 2 straws per day. This is a
common and common quantity, but when calculating in the long run, the
number of straws discharged each day seems alarming and directly affects the
learning environment of students. Finally, when studying the impact of student
participation in recycling plastic straws on the environment, survey-based
findings showed that more than 70% considered their impact to be very
 8

important. important and more than 10% is average (rated at level 3). This
understanding increasingly promotes rapid and effective implementation of
straw use by students, highlighting the need for action and awareness, which
can be addressed through workshops and seminars on campaigns to promote
environmental sustainability. The small number of non-users shows practical
solutions on how to significantly reduce plastic waste
By combining insights from these fields, this study aims to provide a
comprehensive perspective on students' perspectives on sustainability. The
findings will guide strategies for integrating sustainability into education and
empowering students to become environmentally conscious citizens. From
there, it will spread to neighboring universities in the area so that school space
is increasingly upgraded and improved.
2. FTU2 Specific Sustaunability issues
2.1. Current practice at FTU2:

Students of FTU2 usually buy food and drinks off-campus during their
break time, which generates a variety of waste, ranging from bottles,
plastic bags and straws. In spite of the availability of reusable and
biodegradable alternatives, students tend to choose using single-use
plastic straws instead because of their convenience. As a result, the effort
of the university to manage waste is useless due to this widespread
consumption, frequently discarding after a single use.

The impact of plastic straws on the environment is detrimental as they are

often overlooked by consumers due to their small size and difficulty in
recycling. Consequently, students continue to use plastic straws and then
discard them after a single use instead of recycling, deteriorating the
plastic waste issue on campus. This report concentrates on tackling
plastic straw concern, highlighting the need for a cultural shift at FTU2
towards a responsible use of plastic straws and greater awareness of their
serious consequences on the environment.

2.2 Factors Contributing to Plastic straw waste

2.2.1 Plastic straws
The problem of plastic straw waste at FTU2 stems from a multifaceted set
of factors. Primarily, students tend to prioritize convenience, opting for
using plastic straws to enjoy their beverages without considering
environmental impacts. There is a widespread belief that plastic straws
 9

offer certain benefits: low cost and convenience. Thereby, this statement
discourages students from recycling. The perception of wasting time to
repurpose plastic straws for similar and different uses leads to their
disposal after single use. Additionally, reusable and biodegradable
alternatives might not be accessible or effectively promoted on campus,
resulting in reliance on plastic straws as students do not have a clear
option or incentive to switch. Those causes significantly worsen the issue
of plastic straw waste, reflecting a challenge of shifting consumer
behaviours toward a more responsible use.

2.2.2 Conclusion
At FTU2, there is a lack of awareness of environmental issues among
students and staff. Students participate in eco-activities just for gaining
their training points rather than for awaring the current issue.
Furthermore, environmental education is not focused by the university.
This can be demonstrated through several academic and leisure activities
organized by Youth Union and clubs. Financial and human resource
constraints also result in the lack of a system for recycling plastic straw
on campus. The university do not have a solution to fully address the
problem. For example, the collection of plastic straws cannot fully
address the one-use-culture. Hence, this proves to be a struggling
situation in terms of environmental education and sustainability on
campus of the university.
 10

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The group conducts survey forms and applies Empathy Map to categorize
responses by grouping them into different areas of experience : what they
say, think, do, and feel. This approach makes it easier to understand their
perspectives and needs. Moreover, Empathy Map provides a comprehensive
view, enabling us to define the problems where solutions are required.

1. Analysis of Identified Problems

1.1 Problem 1: Excessive plastic waste

1.1.1. What do they SAY?

The survey shows that most of the students in FTU2 Campus use plastic
items on a daily basis as the tendency to buy fast food and all kinds of
beverages is notably high, both for consumption within and without the
school campus. The respondents claim that they use at least one straw per
day, most of which are made from non-eco friendly materials. After
finishing their drinks, they rarely keep the straws but throw them
immediately without giving a thought.

1.1.2. What do they THINK?

When being asked whether they think sustainable environmental
development is of great importance or not, 90% of the students responded
with an affirmation, they also displayed good awareness that plastic straw-
regardless of its small size- is indisputably detrimental to the environment.
Most of the students believe that the contribution of a great number of
people can have a positive impact on the environment.

1.1.3. What do they FEEL?

Although some people are cognizant of the harm of the material, they show
no feeling about the amount of plastic waste they dispose on a daily basis as
plastic has become incredibly prevalent in packaging. Some other feel
guilty after considering how much plastic waste they have released to the
environment, and express the willingness to act, reduce, reuse, recycle, and
join the workshop that we intend to organize for the purpose of recycling
 11

plastic items, transforming them into other creative things like plant pots,
decoration accessories, etc.

1.1.4. What do they DO?

According to the survey, approximately 60% of the students show their
interest for a workshop aimed at recycling plastic items. They stated that
they had partaken in some environmental conservation campaigns and
admitted that they had made an effort to implement “Reduce, reuse,
recycle” motto but lacked consistency.

1.2. Problem 2: Students' awareness

Although most individuals are cognizant of the negative impact that plastic
waste has on the environment, they still struggle to change their
consumption patterns and initiate long-term sustainable strategies.

The familiarity students have with plastic materials have grown so strong
that they feel normal with the presence of plastic in their life, as well as the
volume of waste they release to the environment.

In modern life, plastic has become an indispensable part of the daily lives
of individuals. The prevalence of plastic products makes consumers feel
very comfortable using them, sometimes to the extent that they are unaware
of their negative impact on the environment. They may feel that using
plastic is normal and easy, but few stop to think about the long-term
consequences of this behavior.

When shopping, every product is usually packaged in plastic, from food to

personal items. This creates an unconscious usage habit, leading them to
feel that there is nothing unusual or abnormal about consuming plastic.
However, within the minds of many, there may exist conflicting feelings.
They may feel guilty about contributing to environmental damage, but that
regret feeling is always blurred away by the instant convenience that plastic
provides.

Moreover, the huge amount of people who lack awareness about the impact
of plastic waste on the environment also leaves many feeling helpless. They
recognize that the amount of plastic waste is increasing, yet they do not
know where to start and they are aware that their small contribution cannot
have a great influence on the environment if no one joins them to take
 12

action on the larger scope. This thinking somehow makes them neglect
their intention to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle. As a result, they may
continue to use plastic products, continue contributing to the problem they
wish to resolve.

In conclusion, as many people have become too dependent and familiar

with the comfort in using plastic, and the awareness that small contribution
cannot make any significant changes to the environment, actions that
should be taken are often overlooked, as more people continue to join the
trend of using plastic materials.

2. Problem statement

After examining the two primary contributors to the larger issue of

excessive plastic waste, it’s clear that the widespread use of plastic items is
a significant problem that demands collective efforts. Reducing our
dependence on single-use plastic items, such as straws, bags, and
packaging, can make a noticeable impact on campus sustainability, helping
to cut down on waste and fostering a culture of environmental
responsibility. By addressing plastic usage, we not only create a healthier
campus environment but also set a positive example that may inspire
similar efforts in other areas.

To effectively tackle this issue, we need to have a multifaceted approach,

including educational campaigns, incentives for using reusable items, and
collaboration between the university and students to develop sustainable
habits and reduce plastic waste.
 13

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

According to several mentioned challenges, our team came to a conclusion that

the action involved in reducing the usage of plastic products in general and
single-use straws in particular is extremely tough and requires long-term
implementation. Especially, conducting some project aimed at the protection of
the environment by entirely replacing plastic products or trying to change the
daily behaviour of FTU2 college students demands a lot of effort from our
team. However, we were aware that the root causes originated from plastic
consumer’s consciousness, so we want to suggest some possible methods in
order to raise FTU2 student’s awareness, simultaneously with this perceptive
process of several approaches to encourage them to reuse and recycle plastic
straws for varied real-life purposes.

Understanding that it is challenging to solve the problem involved in the

consciousness of people, our team proposed a strategy directly impacting the
mindset of FTU2 college students. Our recommendation method is to establish
a project consisting of 2 main parts: Create a page to connect the green living
community and inspire handmade recycled products and Create a workshop
assisting the recycling of plastic straws and crafting

Project overview:

Project name: Sassy Straws

The reason for this name comes from the fact that disposable straw is a daily-
used product by FTU2 students, and we wanted to emphasize that even though
its size is small, its impact on the ecosystem is environmentally enormous.
Hence, university students should have the cognizance of using it with high
frequency.

We would thoroughly analyze the importance of 2 main activities in our

project:

1. Create a page to connect the green living community and inspire

handmade recycled products

Creating a Fanpage on Facebook is an initial steps in the procedure of

enhancing awareness of plastic waste problem, especially single-use straws
in the FTU2 campus
 14

Building subconscious base: We will frequently post educational posts with

vivid, visual pictures and videos about the effect of non-reusable straws on
the environment on a global scale, and continuously update its
consequences for the FTU2 environment. The most attractive aspect of this
fanpage is shown not only the world environmental situation with plastic
waste but also focusing on the concerning reality about the environment in
and ảound FTU2, which makes it closer, more profound influencing
perception when trying to convey that plastic products have been and are
directly affecting the surrounding areas where we live. We plan
meticulously about a marketing campaign by assigning our team members
to capture the images of students using plastic straws, single-use cups, bags,
…, trash cans being full-filled with daily plastic waste, plastic products
covering all the table and the floor of the convenience store chains around
FTU2 such as Circle K, 7Eleven,…where college students often visit. We
want to utilize the most familiar pictures for reducing student’s neglection,
eliminating the common thinking that their impacts are not important as
they are just on an individual scale and even the priority of the comfortable
feeling that all people using plastic products, so it is also not their
responsibilities to change their behaviours for environmental protection. In
fact, we can easily realize that just in a limited scope at the FTU2 with
approximately 4000 university students, a modest number compared to the
world, students still visually observe the large amount of plastic litter being
discharged everyday. Therefore, the pictures and videos our team capture
and use of many storylines with plastic straws would be a stern reminder of
the plastic consumer, raising their awareness to gradually adjust wrong
behaviours. Moreover, the Page also serves as a media platform to launch
more and more new environmental campaigns in the future.

Promote people to recycle plastic waste through media campaign: if the

first step is to post real-life environment picture for educational purpose, we
continue encourage college students to put into practice through some
public relations campaign which is designed to be friendly to attract the
participation of college students on Fanpage. We plan to set up some mini-
challenges for develop the interaction and page awareness, and mainly aim
at promoting them to join in this campaign. Specifically, we suggest several
some operations: sharing public the way you use alternative items such as
personal inox water bottle to but soft drink outside the school gate, buying
your meals but using your own lunchbox instead of available styrofoam
box, the way you transform your plastic bags into a handmade handbag or
reusing your single-use water bottle for moẻ than 10 times. All of listed
action do not demand too much effort and could be did before but could not
 15

retain for a long-term period. The possible explanation is that they are in a
small scale, requiring continue carrying out for being able to exert a certain
impact on people and environment around. Their effort were not
recognized, which leads to a rise in depression and turn back to their old
habit which is easier and more convenient. For example, only just bring
money and buy whatever they want to eat rather than bring their own
personal belongings. For that reason, our Fanpage is the place where your
environmental effort, even the smallest one could be recognized and
praised, and your endeavor to reduce the plastic waste would be spread out,
get attention from many people, and even get some certificates from our
team.

Building a student’s community caring about the environment: Page is not

just a place to provide and upgrade the breaking news, but also the media
platform for wide connection among people who share the same will for the
environment and obtain more new knowledge from the experienced. As we
have mentioned, these campaigns inspire participants when they inform
them that there are still companions sharing environmental sustainability
problems with them. Evere individual attempt also helps keep the project
operating. Our team hopes that community attenders could be open-minded
to share their experience about recycling plastic waste, creating the optimal
solution combining modern technology in the future. Our team is trying to
commit wholeheartedly for the benefits of the environment.

Our team utilize a Solution-Problem Fit Canvas method to get deeper

understand about the problem and offer effective solutions:

1. CUSTOMER SEGMENT

-FTU2 students with the age ranging from 18 – 24 who have interest in
crafting and handmade products, want to take part in an environment
project.

2. PROBLEMS/PAINS

- Solving the large amount of plastic trash.

- Throwing away plastic straws right after using it once.

- Because of studying too hard, they need to buy some food and drink
around the FTU2 campus to recharge their energy and in the force to use
single-use products.
 16

3. EMOTIONS

- Consuming plastic products for convenience, habit

- Not ready to change their daily habit.

- Feel alone when making an effort without community sharing.

- Do not have inspiration, being felt difficult when there are no companion.

4. TRIGGERS TO ACT

- The interest in an innovative recycling solution.

- Colorful posts on Facebook about recycling plastic straws in some

creative useful daily items.

- Being assisted to make a complete product.

- Feel responsible to the surrounding environment.

5. AVAILABLE SOLUTIONS:

- Some environmental protection propagandas such as “International plastic

free day”

Benefit: A lot of people join in because of its international scale.

Drawback: Just last for 1 day, can address the root cause.

6. CUSTOMER LIMITATIONS

- Use plastic, disposable products for convenience.

- Lack of resources, tutorial about recycling plastic straws.

7. BEHAVIOR

- Individuals just use plastic straws once before throwing them away.

- Attending a media campaign in a short-run period.

8. CHANNELS OR BEHAVIOUR:

- FTU2 Campus and surrounding areas.

9. PROBLEM ROOT/CAUSE
 17

- Can not change the habit of using plastic products of FTU2 students.

- Just propagating and educating about the consequences of them but not
providing practice sessions and implementing them in real-life situations.

- Do not have a community to promote and motivate.

- Being neglected because their mindset is their small action could not
change anything.

- Do not have any website regularly update their surrounding environment.

- Do not have alternative products with exact functional characteristics.

10. YOUR SOLUTION

- Building a page to inspire the attendees who care about environmental

issues.

- Make a plan to organize a workshop, providing a unique solution

combining crafting with recycling disposable straws.

In conclusion, the purpose of this Fanpage is to approach the young generation

in FTU2 to raise their consciousness, promote practical action and build a
community for the environment by helping people with recycling plastic
straws. Therefore, our Fanpage plays an important role in spreading out the
useful information and campaign of the Workshop.

2. Celebrate a straw-recycled workshop

1. Collect and compile plastic straws from students studying in the

university and from convenience shop around the school campus.
2. Classify and clean the straws to prepare for the workshop.
3. Use straws to create useful items.
4. Take pictures of outstanding products to make a video recap and behind
a behind the scene video.

This Workshop is proved their attraction through the given survey results. We
would provide detailed guideline and assist participants to make the useful
products from plastic straws such as wallets, handbags,… throughout the
Workshop. Moreover, our team also instruct people to find other recycling
guideline in the internet, for instance, joining in our Fanpage. From there, not
 18

only they practice crafting in the Workshop but also in their daily life,
promoting environmental consciousness and a sustainable lifestyle.

Applying SCAMPER to develop the quality of workshop

1. Substitute: Substituting theory lessons over environment which focuses on

criticizing plastic users by practical experience on recycling plastic straws.

2. Combine: Classify and clean the straws to prepare for the workshop.

3. Adapt: Adapting how workshops approach people from criticizing to

praising their small actions, which motivates everyone to mitigate the plastic
waste problem.

4. Modify: We can transform personal activities into group activities,

facilitating teamwork skills in each participant. Moreover, it is a good way for
the workshop to have experienced supervisors and be connected with such a
large community, especially with many social media platforms like Facebook
or TikTok.

5. Put to another use: The recycled products can be lovely gifts for
participants or sold as souvenirs, funding for other environmental events.

6. Eliminate: Aiming at a harmonious environment, our workshop hopes that

participants can freely create cute products from used straws or paper.

7. Reverse: Changing people’s perception from “waste is waste” to “waste is a

resource” to utilize and maximize the products’ life span.
 19

VALIDATION PLAN

1.Organize an online workshop (steps to implement a workshop,

including objectives, method and outcome in each step)

1.1 Online Workshop: Detailed Steps and Practical Implementation

Workshop Title:
"Turning Waste into Wonder: How FTU2 Students Can Lead the Eco-
friendly Movement with Sassy Straws".

Step 1: Pre-Workshop Assessment:

Objective: Determine potential people's knowledge and interest in plastic

straw recycling and creative reuse and encourage the collecting of plastic
straws from surrounding cafes, Circle K, and student hangouts near
FTU2. And we have tried our best to create products from straws before
introducing and guiding them to you.

Method: The workshop should emphasize student engagement and the

local environment of FTU. Workshops may emphasize the effects of
plastic straw, especially around campus. To increase student
participation, collaborate with nearby vendors such as Circle K and Seven
Eleven. These partners may assist co-host the event or offer incentives for
students to collect plastic straws from their businesses, making the project
more practical and relevant to their daily lives.Conduct surveys and in-
depth interviews. Surveys will assess current understanding of plastic
straw recycling, desire to attend workshops, and familiarity with crafts.
Interviews will focus on opinions related to plastic straw use, previous
recycling experiences, and barriers to environmentally friendly actions.
And we have tried our best to create products from straws before
introducing and guiding them to you.

Outcome: Analyze data to determine participant interest in the workshop,

identify educational requirements, and customize material to meet their
needs. A clear subject and target audience provides relevance to FTU
 20

students as well as local community involvement, resulting in a better

sense of ownership and participation in recycling initiatives.

Step 2: Workshop Implementation

Objective:Evaluate the workshop's success in teaching how to recycle

plastic straws into craft decorations. Guarantee student attendance by
setting up at a reasonable time, avoiding academic peak periods (e.g.,
during exam breaks or weekends).

Method: Create a workshop effectively in the work of guiding viewers

about recycling plastic straws into environmentally friendly objects.
Based on the survey and the class schedule as well as the exam schedules,
I have unified and created a perfect Workshop to convey to all FTU2
students.

Outcome: To evaluate our workshop, we will collect architectural

opinions and reviews from the empty shelf products who have registered
for the workshop. And we will use that feedback to form the basis for
future courses and careers.

Step 3: Post-Event Follow-Up

Objective: Maintain engagement and develop interest into action.Measure

the long-term impact on participants' recycling behaviors and attitudes.

Method: Conduct follow-up activities one to three months following the

workshop. To examine long-term recycling behaviors and craft
participation. To specify, after the workshop, send a thank-you email
summarizing the key information and including links to the recorded
event. This email should also inform students how they may continue to
support the Sassy Straws campaign, such as how to collect straws from
local cafes or attend future events. To keep the excitement pressing, set a
challenge in which students upload images of their eco-friendly efforts on
social media using the hashtag #FTUSassyStraws. Offer modest prizes
for the most imaginative postings to stimulate participation and
excitement about the program.
 21

Outcome:Analyze data to assess the workshops' long-term impact and

find options for continued assistance and community participation, which
will influence future sustainability initiatives.

2. Create a Page for Sassy Straws

Objectives:

 Raise awareness about sustainability concerns, including plastic

straws.
 Advertise the workshop on recycling plastic straw into decorations.
 Increase engagement with the target audience, who are interested in
crafts and sustainability.
 Increase attendance at the workshop.

Key Metrics:

 Page likes/ followers

 Rates of interaction( like, share, comments,..)
 Engagement rate for workshop forms.
 Workshop attendance.

Content and Engagement Strategy:

1. Use a mascot (Name: Sassy Strawny): Create a fun and relatable

mascot- Sassy Strawny. And 5 straws represent 5 hardworking and super
active members.

2. Use vibrant, eye-catching visuals: Design vibrant visuals that illustrate

the process of converting plastic straws into eco-friendly products. Use
bright colors(bold pink) and “before and after” comparisons to highlight
the impact of recycling, making it easy to understand and visually
appealing.

3. Write captions that are friendly and accessible to young people:

Include emojis and trending sentences to create a friendly tone. For
example: "As you can see, we travel everywhere, whether in
the sky, on the streets or on the high mountains, wherever
you think of us, we are always there".
 22

4. Not only provide information about straws in Viet Nam but also
highlight the local plastic straw problems around FTU2: Share both
global statistics on plastic straws and local information on environmental
issues around Foreign Trade University (FTU2). For example, Circle K or
Seven 11 where students often hang out to be more close and relevant to
FTU2 students.

5. Highlight the impact of straws: small but big consequences: Explain

the harmful effects of plastic straws with real-life examples, such as sea
turtles being harmed by straws blocking their airways. Use powerful,
emotional images and events to convey the message.

6. Small, practical actions to get attention (posters about straw recycling

around campus and surrounding areas): Design simple but eye-catching
posters and display them in Circle K, Seven 11, and general areas around
FTU2. These posters can highlight the dangers of plastic straws and
encourage participation in the Sassy Straws initiative. Include a QR code
on the poster that links to the page or workshop registration for students
to easily participate.

7. Use this as an incentive to promote recycling workshops: Use the page

to promote upcoming workshops, highlighting how students can learn
practical skills to recycle plastic straws. Create introductory posters to
generate interest.

8. Encourage people to participate in the campaign by posting how they

are applying what they learned from the workshop: Invite students to
share photos of how they are applying their new recycling knowledge to
real life, such as collecting straws or making eco-friendly products.
Encourage them to use a campaign hashtag like #FTUSassyStraws and
rewards the most creative or impactful posts with small prizes. This not
only drives engagement but also builds a sense of community around the
initiative.

3. Surveys

Interviewer: What types of plastic waste do you typically see around the
FTU campus, especially in the surrounding areas?
 23

Student: We often come across items such as plastic straws, cups,

utensils, and packaging materials from CIRCLE K, SEVEN 11, and areas
near the ftu2 campus.

Outcome: Staff identified plastic straws as a significant waste problem,

which reinforced the need for the “Sassy Straws” initiative to address this
particular issue by turning them into environmentally friendly products.

Interviewer: How do you currently handle the collection and disposal of

plastic straws and other types of waste?

Students: We try to separate our waste, plastic in one bin, organic waste
in another

Outcome: Although waste is separated, the lack of recycling

infrastructure highlights the importance of the "Sassy Straws" project,
which offers a more sustainable way to dispose of plastic straws by
reusing them for environmentally friendly purposes.

Interviewer: What inspired you to attend the "Turning Waste into

Wonders" workshop?

Student: We weren't really aware of the impact of plastic straws until we

saw the advertisement for the workshop. The idea of learning how to
recycle them into useful items sounded interesting

Interviewer: How did you feel after attending the workshop?

Student: It was really eye-opening! We learned that something as small as

a plastic straw can cause big environmental problems.

Outcome: The workshop raised students’ awareness of plastic waste,

especially straws. Their positive feedback about learning new recycling
skills and the impact of their actions suggests that the workshop inspired
a change in attitudes towards environmental responsibility.
 24

Interviewer: Would you like to participate in more workshops or projects

like this in the future?

Student: Absolutely! We would love to participate in more activities to

teach practical ways to protect the environment. The workshop was not
only informative but also really engaging. We hope to see more initiatives
like this at FTU2.

Outcome: The enthusiasm for participating in future workshops shows

that students are interested in environmental projects, further supporting
the expansion of the “Sassy Straws” initiative and other similar efforts on
campus.
 25

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, whatever the significance of the plastic waste problem, it

stems from students’ lack of understanding of the environmental impact
of plastic straws and a lack of focus on awareness programs to increase
knowledge of sustainable practices across campus. The presence of
plastic straws is particularly concerning due to their non-biodegradable
nature and low recycling value. By implementing creative solutions such
as workshops that teach students how to recycle plastic straws into
reusable products and setting up a Facebook page dedicated to inspiring
these crafts while collecting straws on campus, the project aims to
promote a culture of sustainability and waste reduction.the “Sassy
Straws” project has proven to be an effective initiative in promoting
environmental sustainability and reducing plastic waste, especially plastic
straws, within the FTU2 community. By focusing on an often overlooked
but ubiquitous form of waste, the project has successfully raised
awareness of the harmful impact of plastic straws on the environment,
locally around the university campus.The core element of the
WORKSHOP, the “Turning Waste into Wonder” workshop, has proven
to be a significant success in engaging students. By introducing this
approach, the workshop has enabled FTU2 students to transform
discarded plastic straws into eco-friendly products, such as handmade
decorations. This not only imparts valuable skills but also makes
environmental protection tangible and accessible. Students reported that
the workshop opened their eyes to the scale of plastic pollution,
especially how something as small as a straw can have serious
consequences, such as harming marine life. The workshop created a space
where learning and creativity met environmental responsibility, giving
students a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. Additionally, by
making it easy for students to recycle straws, the project ensured that
more waste could be diverted from landfill and used for creative and
practical purposes.The use of engaging imagery, friendly language, and
relatable mascots in the project’s digital and physical campaigns also
helped draw attention to the issue of plastic waste. Focusing on both
global environmental concerns and local issues, such as the accumulation
of plastic waste near the university, made the project relevant and urgent
for students. This approach successfully personalizes the issue and makes
 26

it clear that everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment,

starting right where they are.In a nutshell, these insights are further
explored through interviews with FTU2 staff, illustrating the potential
impact of the collection stalls established by “Sassy Straws: Turning
Waste into Wonder”.
 27

MY TEAM: THE IDEAL TEAM FOR THE TASK

Our team was the ideal team for this project due to our perseverance and high
commitment to the project. We are open-minded and are willing to accept new
ideas, therefore creating ideas to brainstorm solutions. We know how to define
goals and create specific plans and are ready to change strategies when
necessary to optimize efficiency. We are also good at designing, slide making
and creating surveys.

Envisioning the Ideal Team Profile

The ideal team profile consists of a harmonious blend of diverse skill sets and
personalities, which fosters creativity and innovation. As each member has
unique technique, ranging from technical knowledge to problem-solving skills,
all aspects of the project can be addressed effectively. This allows us to
brainstorm the root cause and thereby, proposing feasible solutions for FTU2
campus within a tight deadline.

Team Composition, Core members and Advisors

We depend on Belbin’s results for team Composition and role allocation, which
are in Appendix…

Strategies for reaching agreement and resolving conflicts

1. Conflicts

Our biggest challenge was lack of motivation. Initially, we decided to research

peer pressure of FTU2 students and then other topic of balancing between
study and leisure activities. However, we had to abandon those projects as they
were common topics. Another conflict was from unequal workload
distribution, which made the work progress slow.
2. Strategies for effective teamwork

- Regular meetings: We organize online meetings through Google Meet and

also offline meetings. This help us to foster interaction and collaboration while
also help us to generate new ideas in spite of occasional creative blocks
-Instant messaging: with Messenger, it allows us to share our ideas, provide
feedback, clarify doubts and stay connected
-Project- Tracking: We first define our goals, create a specific plan, set a
deadline for tasks and check our project weekly. This helps us to monitor
progress and adapt if necessary.
 28

-Empathy: This helps us to understand other emotions and perspectives and

assign roles based on their situation. Moreover, we can support other members
when they face scheduling difficulties
-Role allocation: Initially, we assigned roles randomly, which resulted in
conflicts and also inefficiency. However, with Belbin’s test, we can allocate
roles correctly, optimizing potential and ensuring an effective teamwork.
 29

PROCESS BOOK
1. Description

1.1 Project Overview:

The "Sassy Straws: Turning Waste into Wonder" project is designed to address
the growing problem of plastic waste, especially the ubiquitous plastic straws.
The main objective is to raise awareness within the FTU2 community about
plastic pollution and teach students how to creatively recycle plastic straws into
eco-friendly, reusable products through engaging workshops. The initiative
includes both hands-on workshops and an awareness campaign to encourage
straw collection around the FTU2 campus.

1.2 Research and Planning:

1.2.1 Initial Research:
We conducted thorough research on the impact of plastic straws on the
environment. After class, our team stayed behind to finalize the product before
delivering it to students. Through interviews and surveys with FTU2 students,
we assessed the current level of awareness about plastic straw pollution and
recycling activities.

1.2.2 Planning:
Based on this research, we came up with a plan to conduct workshops,
engaging students in the collection and creative reuse of straws. Straw
collection at nearby cafes (Circle K, Seven Eleven) ensured that students could
easily collect straws and contribute to the initiative.

1.3 Ideation and Prototyping:

1.3.1 Ideation:
Our brainstorming sessions revolved around practical, hands-on ways to
encourage recycling. We decided to teach students how to turn plastic straws
into decorative items such as pencil cases, flower pots, and faux flowers. We
also came up with the idea of a mascot to make the campaign more relatable,
eventually creating fun characters representing “Sassy Straws.”

1.3.2 Prototyping:
We created early prototypes of straw-based products, experimenting with
different techniques such as weaving, cutting, and bending. These prototypes
served as inspiration for workshops, demonstrating how simple materials can
be repurposed into useful items.
 30

2. Feelings:
Throughout the process, the team felt both excited and nervous. Our team faced
many challenges throughout this project, evoking a range of emotions. Despite
the initial feelings of anxiety and overwhelm, we turned them into
determination and resilience. The research phase proved to be intellectually
stimulating, uncovering valuable insights and creative solutions. Challenges
and setbacks tested our patience, but each obstacle became a learning
opportunity, fostering creativity and perseverance. The joyful moments, such as
the encouragement of colleagues in workshops and receiving positive feedback,
filled us with pride and motivation to continue. Looking back on our journey,
we are grateful for the opportunity to make meaningful contributions and look
forward to applying our experiences to future projects.

3. Reflection and Self-Assessment:

The project was a unique opportunity to combine creativity with sustainability.

It allowed us to interact directly with our peers and encourage positive
environmental change. Through this initiative, we were able to see the tangible
impact of our efforts on campus waste reduction and community engagement.
We excelled at planning and prototyping but could improve our time
management. We confronted our biases and assumptions head-on, recognizing
the importance of feasibility and truth. We learned to embrace diverse
perspectives to understand the needs and concerns of our fellow students and
were open to constructive criticism from our partners.
 31

REFERENCES

1. Life cycle assessment of environmental impact of disposable drinking

straws: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8897272/?
fbclid=IwY2xjawGQsF1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfIrjtnj3gG4H6YBzYSAAA
hJsKq7a_lIDVECnzLY2TN1ewgQsOtsxxx9mA_aem_cb3fzV1Di2UDoFSiQa
_i1Q

2. Gibbs Reflective Cycle: https://www.ed.ac.uk/reflection

3. Sustainable Waste Management Practices in a Higher Education Institution

of Ghana: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9565194?
fbclid=IwY2xjawGQsRBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTdiNoaLvyvpOXTXUMev
0tFcMG0JetZZK0kim3_O7Q6sTO2njoiOpE6gNg_aem_MZjbKxkfkkeCCalV
HSw20g

4. Toxic Waste Management towards Sustainable Development: Perspectives

from Business party: https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/living-lab/toxic-waste-
management-towards-sustainable-development-perspectives-from-business-
party?
fbclid=IwY2xjawGQsWNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbODOlnxCWAqyeXg2isr
5aZ8E4_I6ZQihfTunwsjArWQrx72OOcNG2yW6Q_aem_FLjpVd12VG0lJqS
50-2m_w

5. Universities are showing the way in sustainability practices. (n.d.).

University World News: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?
story=20231109133726622

APPENDICES
 32

APPENDIX 1. SURVEY RESULT............................................................................33

APPENDIX 2. ELEMENTS INVOLVED IN WORKSHOP..................................39
APPENDIX 3. MY TEAM..........................................................................................42

APPENDIX 1. SURVEY RESULT

COMPLETE RATING
 33

1: Completely disagree

2: Disagree

3: Neutral

4: Agree

5: Completely agree

RATE OF PLASTIC USE

FREQUENCY OF BUYING FAST FOOD AND DRINKS WHILE GOING TO CLASS

FREQUENCY OF BUYING FAST FOOD AND DRINKS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN

OTHER OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL
 34

AFTER DRINKING, THE RATE OF RETAINING THE STRAW

MOST STRAWS THAT PEOPLE BUY ARE PLASTIC OR ENVIRONMENTALLY

FRIENDLY?
 35

RĂTE OF STRAW USE IN 1 DAY

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

EXCESSIVE USING OF PLASTIC STRAWS AFFECTS THE ENVIRONMENT

THE LEVEL OF PEOPLE RECYCLING PLASTIC

 36

ARE PEOPLE TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE USE OF STRAWS TO REDUCE

WASTE?

WILLING TO RECYCLE PLASTIC STRAWS

MASSIVE STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN RECYCLING HAS AN

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
 37

LEVEL OF WORKSHOP ORGANIZATION RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT AT

FTU2

WORKSHOP AUDIENCE’S RECEPTION LEVEL

LEVEL OF WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN STRAW RECYCLING

WORKSHOPS
38
 39

APPENDIX 2: ELEMENTS INVOLVED IN WORKSHOP

Appendix 2.1. Timeline/ Activities

No. Time Duration Activity Note

1 17h45-18h 00:15 Checklist attendees

2 18h-18h15 00:15 Wrap-up games

2 Welcome and Introduction -Introduce about project

“Sassy Straws” and our
mascot “ Sassy Strawny”

- Explain the workshop's

goals and environmental
benefits.

- Disadvantages of plastic
straws

- Sample

4 18h15-18h30 00:15 Crafting Time (step by step) - Listen to music to relax

during crafting time (lofi,
6 18h30-19h15 00:45 Crafting Time gen-Z, piano,..).

- Taking some snacks

 40

and drinks for granted.

7 19h15-19h30 00:15 Conclusion (Taking photos,

sharing with hastag
#FTUSassyStraws, and receiving
lovely gifts)

Appendix 4.2. Poster, handout

41
 42

Appendix 2.4. Images of the workshop

Appendix 2.5. Interviews from audiences

APPENDIX 3. MY TEAM
1. My team:

The Right Team for the Job: Our team is well-equipped for this project because
of our resilience, strong drive and dedication. With a focus on sustainability,
we bring a wealth of innovative ideas to create effective solutions. Our team is
a mix of action-oriented and thinking individuals, ensuring we can quickly turn
ideas into tangible results. We also excel in essential areas such as design,
presentation creation, survey development and workshops, which were crucial
to the success of this project.
2. Envisioning the Ideal Team Profile:

A well-rounded team of doers, thinkers, and people-oriented members is

essential to our sustainability efforts. This diversity allows us to explore core
issues and come up with viable solutions for the FTU2 campus, all within a
tight timeframe. Each member plays a vital role, from taking proactive steps to
thoroughly analyzing challenges and engaging with relevant stakeholders. And
in this Sassy Straw project we have brought you a complete, attractive and
engaging report with different and interesting solutions.

3. Team composition, Core Members, and Advisors.

Our a core members are:

Nguyen Hoang Minh Thu (Leader of the team-Monitor Evaluate)
Phan Thi Thu Thuy (People-oriented Coordinator)
 43

Le Minh Thu (Action-oriented Complete Finisher)

Lai Thi Phuong Thuy( Thought-oriented Specialist)
Nguyen Minh Thuy (Resource Investigator)

Advisor:
Pham Thi Mai Khanh (PhD in International Economics)
Nguyen Ngoc Thuy VY( Master of Finance)

4. Evaluating Team Members and Role Allocation:

Nguyen Hoang Minh Thu: As the team leader, Minh Thu is responsible for
making sure the team’s project runs smoothly. She carefully monitors progress
and makes sure tasks are divided equally and completed on time, such as noting
all the tasks of every member in the team, and she also unify ideas into a
successful project.Moreover, she also joins in organizing a survey for data
analysis and creating a data validation map.

Phan Thi Thu Thuy: In addition to her strong communication skills, Thu Thuy
is also excellent at brainstorming and content creation. She plays a key role in
generating creative ideas during group discussions, especially when we come
up with solutions to recycle plastic straws or create eco-friendly messages for
our campaigns. She also brainstorms the table content of the workshop which is
the foundation for the project success.

Le Minh Thu: With good speaking skills she has the ability to inspire her ideas
and interests into a group. Moreover, she can make the table content of our
report easily and express her voice in our presentation.She also shares her ideas
about some methods that are used in the project.

Lai Thi Phuong Thuy: Phuong Thuy is a professional in project management

and she brought in-depth knowledge and research skills to our project. She
helped us explore innovative ways to recycle plastic straws and contributed
ideas for the content we would share in the workshop, ensuring everything was
accurate and impactful: she came up with communication ideas, such as
creating, designing and content for the page perfectly.

Nguyen Minh Thuy: She is responsible for identifying issues and documenting
environmental issues. She actively seeks partnerships with on-campus vendors,
such as food stalls and cafes (circle K, Seven 11 or nearby cafes), to collect
plastic straws for recycling. She also participates in leading workshops to voice
 44

her ideas, and she also records images from the workshops to document the
project.

=> Members engage fully in online as well as offline meetings and confidently
express different ideas. They also share their voices in various projects and
methods for this project. And all members join hands in establishing pages and
creating contents for pages. In addition, they also participate in plastic straw
recycling work, create eco-friendly products and do a seeding to FTU2 students
to make a perfect report.Each person plays an integral role in the Sassy Straws
project, which has contributed to its success.

5.Mechanisms for Achieving Consensus and Managing Conflicts

5.1 When we have conflicts? What did we do?
There are 2 biggest conflicts in our team is a lack of motivation and the debate
in ideas. Actually, we are freshman so we have no idea about balancing our
study and extracurricular activities and we have too much content and ideas
about different projects which leads to conflicts. The first idea project of our
group is about Financial Management and we had to abandon this project due
to our limited knowledge of creating apps to solve this problem, forcing us to
restart a new plan about environmental issues “Sassy Straws” ( recycle plastic
straws into eco-friendly products). In addition, there are too many activities
from FTU2 such as Opening Ceremony, FTU’s DAYs, Club Fair, the
icebreakers,... that lead to the lack of motivation and being tired of participating
too much.

5.2 Strategies for Effective Teamwork

5.2.1 Regular Meetings:
We hold regular meetings via Google Meets and Microsoft Teams, we also
create some offline meetings to enhance progress. Each meeting took 1-2
hours, involving 5 members.Thanks to these meetings, it helps us generate new
ideas easily.
5.2.2 Lend an ear:
Empathy plays a vital role in team projects by promoting understanding and
cooperation among team members. When individuals demonstrate empathy,
they actively listen to each other’s ideas and concerns, creating a supportive
environment that encourages open communication. This emotional connection
helps build trust, resolve conflicts effectively, and enhance team morale,
ultimately leading to improved project outcomes. Empathetic team members
are more likely to consider diverse perspectives, which can spark creativity and
 45

innovation, ensuring that everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute

their best.
5.2.3 Project-Tracking:
We use project-tracking to identify our goals:holding weekly meetings to
review progress, address challenges, adjusting our tasks as needed, and
promoting open communication among team members. Additionally, we will
track measurable outcomes, such as the number of plastic straws collected and
the number of people attending our workshops, as well as our surveys, allowing
us to gauge our success. Feedback from workshop attendees will provide
valuable insights to assess our impact and identify areas for improvement.
Ultimately, this structured approach will help us stay focused and effectively
achieve the goals of our sustainability initiative.
5.2.4 Messaging:
We use Messenger for instant messaging, and created a group “ Career
Development Skills: group 9 <3333” to share ideas and give online meeting
links. We also share some funny videos about our project and this app
encourages us to connect as long as we have internet access and phones. By
this way, we can easily stay on well with every member in a team.
5.2.5 Role Allocation:
Initially, the first thing that we should do was selecting the leader- who will run
and represent the group in research as well as communicate with the class’s
monitor and teachers.If we divide the task randomly, there will be a conflict
and inefficiency. After that, following the guidance of Ms. Mai Khanh, we use
the Belbin app to assess personality as well as the ability to divide work
reasonably so that each person is free to create, think and maximize each
member's potential and improve teamwork.
6. Conclusion:
In conclusion, despite the conflicts and lack of motivation, our team completed
this project successfully. With different roles, important meetings and empathy,
our team was well-equipped to solve the project's problems and obstacles while
working on the project. And with our tireless efforts, determination and
perseverance, from morning to night, the project 'Sassy Straws' brought
creative and interesting knowledge to FTU2 students.