North Seattle College - Grove

Waste Can & Signage Improvements

Executive Summary

Seattle has set a citywide goal of recycling 70 percent of its waste by 2025, the following recommendations provide actions and strategies for reaching this goal. This proposal includes best practices from Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and Waste Management Northwest (WMN) in order for North Seattle College to meet the following city and campus waste goals:

  • Comply with Seattle's recycling and composting laws
  • Reduce campus waste and save money on bills
  • Reduce overall campus carbon footprint
  • Meet criteria for STARS – Waste category

To address the waste stream improvements in the grove, the Sustainability Office has researched various models that comply with SPU and WMN recommendations for waste bin coloring and labeling. Both the SPU and WMN systems rely on consistency of colors and identifiable signage to help people recognize the proper bin to put their waste.

The model recommended by SPU and WMN consist of three bins:

  • Garbage = (Black or Grey) - w/standard signage
  • Recycle = (Blue) - w/standard signage
  • Compost = (Green ) - w/standard signage

This is also the same model adopted by other colleges in the district and private industry throughout the Puget Sound. The consistency of our cans and signage is critical to the performance of our waste system.

To meet the requirements of the commons areas in the Grove, we have designated a total of 9 waste station locations. For the 1st floor of the grove we are recommending that all 6 stations be equipped with a garbage, recycle and compost bin. For the 2nd floor, we are recommending 3 stations consisting of a garbage and recycle bin. These should stay at an agreed upon location and all bins will stay within close proximity so users will not have to look for a missing bin. (See attached map for these locations).

Conclusion

  • The Sustainability Office is recommending the purchase and installation of 9 waste stations in the grove, 6 full stations and 3 partial stations.
  • These stations should be comprised of color appropriate Rubbermaid Slim Jims so we can utilize the existing bins inside the Gluttons to reduce cost and waste.
  • The recommended locations are indicated on the included map and have been determined based on user traffic, eating and lounging locations, and facility management efficiency.
  • For the initial installation we will use the free signs given to us by SPU so we can make adjustments to locations without having to invest in other signage or holders/stands.

Currently the Grove has:

  • 4 different styles of bins that vary in shape and size
  • Each station’s bins number from 1 to 4 (counting the glutton as 4) bins.
  • Lacking appropriate number of cans; What we currently have (1st floor Grove):
  • 7 garbage bins
  • 3 recycle bins
  • 3 compost bins
  • 5 out of 7 stations are located on one end of the grove
  • Of those current 7 stations, 4 are located within very close proximity
  • Of the remaining 3 stations only one has a garbage, recycle and compost bin.
  • Improper, missing and inconsistent signage
  • Bin liners appear to be properly used, thanks go out to the guys picking up the trash!

Goals and Checklists

Goal #1 – Deploy a working system

  • 1 style and 1 size of can with separate colors for:
  • Garbage = Black/grey
  • Recycle = Blue
  • Compost = Green
  • Increase the number of stations from 7 to 9
  • Even distribution of the stations as indicated on the included maps
  • Consistent grouping:
  • Full station = Garbage, recycle, compost
  • Partial Station = Garbage, recycle

Goal #1 Checklist

Stakeholders need to agree on a size and style of bin for the waste stations

Stakeholders need to agree on locations of the waste stations

Agreed upon bins need to be purchased and installed

Goal #2 – Engaging users

  • Label bins to further indicate their purpose
  • Create and support a way of educating users who may not be familiar with our system of waste handling.

Goal #2 Checklist

  • Attach signs provided by Waste Management directly to the front of each bin via adhesive tape.

(We are not recommending hanging signs on the walls at this time)

(We are not recommending employing the use of sign holders at this time)

  • Integrate NSC waste stream policy into new student orientation

The Sustainability Office will work with Student Leadership and other administration to accomplish this.

Waste Bin Pricing and Options

Option #1: Slim Jims

approx. cost to implement: $650.00

Cost is based on: Purchase of 13 new Slim Jims

Utilizing the existing garbage bins inside the Gluttons(8 bins)

Rubbermaid Slim Jim / Black / Blue / Green
Global Industrial Supply / $50.95 / $47.95 / NA
Uline / $49.00 / $50.00 / $50.00
Rubbermaid for Less / NA / $56.61 / $55.01
Home Depot / $64.16 / $44.67 / NA

This is the best viable option for the Grove and is recommended by the Sustainability Office

Pros: Able to be oriented to be thinner or deeper, lids are available, able to match the current industry accepted model, able to conform to building structures and furniture, this option allows us to utilize the one existing station that is in compliance with accepted models, this option allows us to utilize the existing bins inside the Glutton cutting the purchase cost by approx. $800**

Cons: N/A

Waste Bin Pricing and Options

Option #2: Untouchables

approx. cost to implement: $1,632.00

Cost is based on: Purchase of 24 Untouchables

Rubbermaid Untouchables / Black / Blue / Green
Global Industrial Supply / NA / $60.95 / NA
Uline / NA / $69.00 / NA
Rubbermaid for Less / $68.36 / $68.36 / $68.36
Home Depot / $55.97 / $59.95 / NA

This is a good viable option for the Grove and is recommended by the Sustainability Office.

Pros: Bins are unobtrusive from any angle, smaller in appearance but still hold 23 gal., lids are available, match the current industry accepted model, conform to building structures and furniture

Cons: Bins costs slightly more than the other viable option, we cannot utilize the bins inside the Gluttons with this option

Waste Bin Pricing and Options

Option #3: Glutton’s

Approx. cost to implement: $4,893.00

Cost is based on: Purchase of 7 more Gluttons

Rubbermaid Glutton / Blue / Green
Global Industrial Supply / $699.00 / $699.00
Uline / $675.00 / NA
Rubbermaid for Less / $833.97 / NA
Home Depot / $664.76 / NA

This is not a viable option for the Grove and is not recommended by the Sustainability Office.

Pros: All bins are located together, lids are included

Cons: Shaped openings confuse users and make disposing of waste sometimes difficult, they are one color which confuses users, they have 4 bins grouped to these stations adding more confusion to users, limited to one shape since all bins fit in an outer shell which cannot be installed to accommodate building structures and furniture, cost

Signage



Seattle Signage Examples

Northgate Mall Ivar's Seattle University







Cherry Street Coffee Ballard Brothers Seafood Seattle University

City Ordinance

Recycling Requirements

City of Seattle Ordinance #121372 effective January 1, 2005 and Ordinance #124313 effective July 1, 2014 prohibit the disposal of certain recyclables from residential, commercial and self-haul garbage. Ordinance #124582 effective January 1, 2015 prohibit the disposal of food waste and compostable paper from residential, commercial and self-haul garbage

What is required according to the Seattle Municipal Code? Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 21.36.082 and 21.36.083 details the recycling and composting required by all residents, commercial businesses:

How does the city enforcement Business Owners or Property Managers
Effective January 1, 2015 the City’s solid waste inspectors will mail to the garbage account holder up to two warning notices (pdf) for significant amounts of compostables and recyclables found in the garbage. Beginning January 1, 2016 the two warning notices will be followed by a $50 fine added to the account holder’s garbage bill.

Food Waste Requirements The Seattle City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting food from Seattle’s residential and commercial garbage on September 22, 2014.

What items do not go in the garbage? Effective January 1, 2015, all food and compostable paper, including food-soiled paper towels, paper napkins and cardboard, will not be allowed in the garbage and are required to be composted. Recyclable items, such as paper, uncontaminated cardboard, bottles, cups, jars and cans are currently prohibited from the garbage. Plastic, such as bags, is not allowed in compost containers.

What are the requirements? Effective January 1, 2015, all commercial establishments that generate food waste or compostable paper must subscribe to a composting service, compost their food waste on-site, or self-haul their food waste for processing. (Single-family and apartments are already required to have composting service.

Appendix

City of Seattle Solid Waste Management Plan

Summary of Washington State Hazardous & Solid Waste Management Plan