Purifying Air with House Plants

Project timeline:

This project would begin with emails, posters, flyers, and advertisements from UIC encouraging students to bring with a houseplant from the provided list below of plants that purify our air on the first day of school.

→ Aloe Vera

→ English ivy

→ Golden Pothos

→ snake plant

→ spider plant

 

→ Chinese Evergreen

Description

According to Sustainable baby steps, the three indoor toxins that we should be worried about are benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. These houseplants decrease your risk of cancers, asthma, allergies. Depending on the turn out, UIC can then use buckets outdoors so that when it rains, the rainwater can be used to hydrate these plants. According to Gardener’s Supply Company, they sell a set of two barrels for $289.00 including 2 barrels and the hose connected to the barrels. UIC might need this set of 2 barrels per building that has a gutter system. UIC would spend approximately $867 not including tax for Lincoln hall, grant hall, and douglas hall. 

Budget

Students would be purchasing one (or more if interested) houseplant to bring to school on the first day. Since we have buildings that were made in a style named brutal, meaning that it looks and feels like a prison with no windows and confusing(an example is BSB), students would need to bring in their plants to a classroom with access to sunlight. Such as in  Lincoln hall, Grant hall, Douglas hall. So having a place with sunlight, and rain water available and stored when it rains, these plants have a chance of living and expanding in classrooms. The cost of these plants is affordable. In Lowe’s online website I found snake plant and pothos for $3.48. I later did more research and also found the aloe Vera houseplant at Lowe’s for $3.48. The barrels that are needed to house the rain water cost 

Refrences:

LaLiberte, By Kathy. “Rainwater Collection with Rain Barrels – Rainfall Calculator.” Gardeners Supply. AMERICA’S GARDENING RESOURCE, 2016. Web. 17 Sept. 2016.

 

“Outdoors.” Shop House Plants at Lowes.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

 

“11-oz Aloe Vera (L4365).” Shop at Lowes.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

 

“Rain Barrels.” Gardeners Supply. AMERICA’S GARDENING RESOURCE, 2016. Web. 17 Sept. 2016.

 

“Types of Houseplants That Clean Indoor Air – Sustainable Baby Steps.” Types of Houseplants That Clean Indoor Air – Sustainable Baby Steps. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 Sept. 2016.