Centralized Waste

Why Centralize Waste?

Replacing individual desk-side bins with shared, three-stream waste stations (recycling, paper, landfill) in high-traffic areas reduces plastic liners, improves sorting accuracy, reduces pest risk, and improves Facilities efficiency, while saving money and reducing emissions.

More information about waste at Columbia

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Over 20,000 deskside bin liners are thrown away annually.

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77% of office waste is recyclable. Centralized waste collection influences employees to sort their waste correctly.

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Centralized waste prevents pests and leads to cleaner workspaces.

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"Some hesitation at first, but looking back was easy, and no regrets. Plus it opens up floor space." Lerner Hall administrator on their Waste Centralization pilot.

Step-by-step plan

Pre-analysis meeting

  • Meeting between Office of Sustainability and client school/department
  • Identify workstations for transition
  • Select central waste collection points
  • Identify service improvement change (Facil)

Internal preparations

Office of Sustainability will:

  • Generate expected savings report
  • Finalize plans and timeline

Notice to Facilities

  • Office of Sustainability notifies Facilities of transition plan
  • Facilities delivers central bins (arranged by Office of Sustainability)

Email notice

Office of Sustainability provides draft email template to impacted employees that:

  • Introduces Waste Centralization
  • Explains why it’s beneficial
  • Sets date for live presentation and waste sorting education game, Know Where to Throw

Live presentation

Office of Sustainability will present to employees:

  • Why Waste Centralization is beneficial
  • Know Where to Throw game
  • The new waste collection point layout
  • Go-live implementation date
  • Answer questions

Implementation

  • Collect bins as per agreed plan 

Post-implementation check-in

Meet with Office of Sustainability to:

  • Discuss any challenges
  • Office of Sustainability will complete post implementation survey
  • Office of Sustainability will write news story

Click on each tab to view steps to waste centralization.