MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

are in the heart of your memo.  However, recall the cognitive wedge?  Less is more.  This is a recommendation memo, and needs to be relatively short.

"Meh" paragraph
Plastic and paper cups pose problems for recycling. Ceramic cups are very energy intensive to produce. Recycling seems environmentally-sound.  Paper does not degrade deep within most landfills and the plastic coating is also difficult.  Not all plastic can be recycled.  You need to check the bottom of the container.  Landfills are increasingly full.  There is a huge "patch of garbage in the Pacific Ocean.

Better paragraph
Paper and plastic both pose disposal problems.  First, not all plastic can be recycled. Check the bottom of the plastic container. "No. 1" and "No. 2" types can be recycled by most facilities. Second, paper does not degrade deep within most landfills because of low oxygen conditions. The plastic coating also interferes with decay. Landfills are increasingly full.  There is a huge "patch of garbage in the Pacific Ocean.

Even better paragraph (can you see the re-thinking of content as well as sentence-level revision)
Paper and plastic -- including Styrofoam -- both pose disposal problems.  First, not all plastic can be recycled. Check the bottom of the plastic container. "No. 1" and "No. 2" types can be recycled by most facilities. However, Styrofoam recycling is not well established in most locations. Second, paper does not degrade deep within most landfills because of low oxygen conditions. The plastic coating on hot beverage cups also interferes with decay. Landfills are increasingly full, with paper and plastic part of the waste stream. Not all plastic is recycled or landfilled. Huge amounts of both paper and plastic refused enter waterways, the result being huge ocean garbage "patches" now documented particularly in the Pacific Ocean.

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Now we can talk about a working arrangement for the whole memo: (by paragraphs, with volumn of text controlled at beginning by cognitive wedge, the paragraphs controlled by stasis theory)

Polite one-sentence opening, where you reveal your policy recommendation

Description para with quanitfiers about office problem (NO SOURCES)

Review briefly the three choices in two categories -- Use one or two paragraphs 1) compare contrast of paper/styrofoam 2) description of ceramic option as main reuse-able (NO SOURCES)

Define LCA (needs EPA source) and explain this is your main decision criteria (first person voice)

Hocking's work OPTIONAL PLACEMENT FOR THIS PARA (Para is a summary of process, which is a kind of cause-effect stasis, plus specific values) (SOURCE IS HOCKING)

Moore's work OPTiONAL PLACEMENT FOR THIS PARA (Para is a summary of process, which is a kind of cause-effect stasis, plus specific values) (SOURCE IS MOORE)

Recommendation paragraph (use bold on your recommendation sentences to flag this part of the memo)

Acknowledgement of other readings of the options

Example paragraph

Polite closing