2013
University of Houston
Facilities Management
SUCCESS AND EFFICACY OF
UTILIZING SOLAR-POWERED
RECYCLING AND TRASH UNITS
Executive Summary:
As part of our Facilities Management Mission and Vision, We Think, Therefore We Are, Becoming
Stewards for Service, Stewardship and Sustainability, Facilities Management is working diligently to
develop a safe, efficient and effective waste and recycling collection system that protects the
natural environment and contributes to the success of the university’s commitment to
sustainability. The character and well-being of the University are directly linked to the cleanliness
of the university’s facilities, campus streets and grounds. Recycling is a key aspect of any
sustainable solid waste management operation and effort, one that calls for the participation of the
entire campus community. The University has an established recycling system that provides a solid
infrastructure for a highly successful program. The campus-wide recycling program was initiated in
October 2008 with a target annual recycle rate of 40% or greater per year by 2020. In 2012, the
university recycled 25% of its total waste stream, by weight. A continued successful and highprofile recycling system which includes utilizing collection devices like the BigBelly© solar-powered
units, will not only provide the University of Houston a chance to demonstrate its commitment to
sustainability, but it can also provide significant cost savings, financial returns and lend to the
aesthetic appeal of the campus built environment.
Solar-Powered Recycling and Trash Unit Program Summary

Pilot program started in 2012 with installation of 13 BigBelly© solar-powered units

Each BigBelly© unit provides dual functionality collection – half of the unit holds regular
trash and the other half holds recycling
Each unit replaces the capacity of 5 of the current concrete trash containers and 5 of the
current large recycling containers located across campus
BigBelly© units add to the aesthetic appeal of the campus in several ways: 1) by
replacing the current older, unsightly collection units; 2) their unique streamlined
appearance; and 3) the units are designed to fully contain contents and avoid loose
trash/recycling from overflow.
Units “inform” FM Solid Waste Operations when they are full -- crews only collect trash
when they receive notice
Fewer units to collect from coupled with collecting trash when units indicate they are
full results in reduced labor cost and time, reduced fuel costs, and more efficient use of
resources
Recycled waste that is collected is sold to various recycling companies helping provide
additional revenue
Use of BigBelly© units are projected to provide return on university’s investment 19
months of installation and utilization
Savings experienced will help solidify the recycling program as an investment and
establish a sound campus-wide sustainability program







FM Goals Include:
1) 40% annual waste diversion by 2020.
2) To ensure the location is litter and waste free and attractive for all users.
3) Install additional 70 solar units by end of summer FY13
SUCCESS AND EFFICACY OF UTILIZING SOLAR-POWERED RECYCLING AND TRASH UNITS
1|Page
Recycling statistics for University of Houston
Month
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
GOAL
Total
56.80
71.00
50.06
42.43
52.92
48.95
51.80
62.03
41.82
26.32
-
Landfill
Material
(tons)
253.56
335.23
251.15
196.62
242.45
286.68
263.98
167.89
283.80
169.35
-
Green
Waste
AVG (tons)
25
25
25
25
25
13
25
25
25
25
25
25
504.13
2,450.71
288
Recycled
Material (tons)
Waste
Total
Generated
Material
(R+GW+T) Recovered
335.36
81.80
431.23
96.00
326.21
75.06
264.05
67.43
320.37
77.92
348.13
61.45
340.78
76.80
254.92
87.03
350.62
66.82
220.67
51.32
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
3,242.34
791.63
Total
Recycling
Diversion
24.39
22.26
23.01
25.54
24.32
17.65
22.54
34.14
19.06
23.26
40.00
23.90
Landfill
Total Trees
Landfill Cost
Space Saved
Saved
Avoidance
(CY)
1,391
245
2,561.98
1,632
288
3,006.72
1,276
225
2,472.48
1,146
202
2,221.14
1,325
234
2,566.68
1,045
184
2,024.16
1,306
230
2,529.79
1,480
261
2,866.77
1,136
200
2,201.05
872
154
1,690.48
425
75
823.50
425
75
823.50
13,458
2,375
25,788.26
Benefits of Big Belly units:





It makes our campus look clean and enhances the aesthetics.
o There are no overflows since the units notifies when they need to be picked up.
o The units are fully enclosed containers, which eliminate numerous problems
created by wind, snow, rain and animals.
On average the units are picked up once a week instead of daily for the traditional trash
containers. This reduces labor and fuel costs.
Each unit replaces 5 trash containers and 5 recycling containers. It improves campus
aesthetic and cost.
The units have wireless technology to report their status into the CLEAN (Collection,
Logistics, Efficiency and Notification system) dashboard that gives UH insights for
monitoring and route optimization. The units are picked up when the indicator light is
yellow (green, yellow, red system. Red means full)
The compaction mechanism of the unit exerts 5.3KN of force, increasing the bin's
effective capacity by five. This reduced the volume of trash to be disposed since the
same amount of trash is compacted before sent to landfill. Units assist with marketing.
SUCCESS AND EFFICACY OF UTILIZING SOLAR-POWERED RECYCLING AND TRASH UNITS
2|Page
o
Fun Facts of Big Belly:
Financial Benefit:



Side panels and front hopper cover are
made from 100% post-consumer
recycled car bumpers.
Including preventative maintenance, the
average annual maintenance cost is less
than $50 per Big Belly unit.
Description
Cost per Solar unit including installation
Disposal cost of old bins
Investment per unit


The units have a 1.8 year payback
period.
The labor savings will be reinvested in
solidifying the recycling program into
the buildings.
Increased recycling will generate more
recycling revenue for the University.
Year 1
$7,083
$44
$7,083
Savings
Reduced # of trash bags per year
$58
Fuel cost per year
$92
Labor Savings per year
Savings per year per unit
Total Savings in 5 years per unit
Payback in # of years
pay back in months
$3,767
$3,916
$16,416
1.8
21.7
SUCCESS AND EFFICACY OF UTILIZING SOLAR-POWERED RECYCLING AND TRASH UNITS
3|Page