NC APPA – Call for Papers March 2012
Applicant and presenter: Devin Hatley, Office of Waste Reduction & Recycling; UNC Charlotte,
Housekeeping & Recycling; 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223; dlhatley@uncc.edu 704-687-0606
Abstract:
Title: Remove and/or reduce the size of the trash bin: A boon for recycling, efficiency and the
bottom line.
In this program we will present how UNC Charlotte replaced the familiar 28 quart office trash bin with a 2-3 quart hanging
Mini Trash bin in all of the offices. We also removed all the trash bins from the classroom and asked everyone “to do their
part” by simply taking their trash and recyclables to a common area. This simple change has benefited the campus by
reducing waste, increasing recycling rates and increasing efficiency for housekeeping staff.
Tiny Bin = Less Trash = Saved $
In November, 2009, Facilities Management Housekeeping and Recycling teamed up to kickoff the first office
cleaning / mini trash bin pilot program in our own Facilities Management building. By February 21, 2011, we
expanded the pilot to 4 more buildings. A number of waste audits were performed both before and after the
institution of the office cleaning / mini bin pilot programs. Audit results show between a 20 and 25% reduction in
the amount of recyclables found in the waste receptacles of these buildings.
Previously, office occupants were required to take only their recycling to nearby bins such as break rooms, while
their trash cans were emptied by Housekeeping staff three days per week. This system put the emphasis on
trash and made it more convenient to throw material away. With the new program, individual office occupants are
now responsible for taking their own waste as well as their recyclables to a common area and place trash and
recyclables in the proper bins. The small trash bin and having to empty it, shifts the emphasis from trash to
resource conservation. Staff is now more aware of what is being thrown away, and what is being recycled.
The Mini trash collection receptacles hang sidesaddle fashion on the existing blue desk side recycling container
and replace the existing 28 quart brown office waste receptacle. In addition to increased recycling, Housekeeping
will save $11,000 per year by not purchasing trash liners for the 28 qt. trash cans.
As part of the program, Housekeeping only cleans offices on Wednesday night/early Thursday morning as
opposed to three times per week. Office occupants are asked to clear any surfaces in their office that they want
housekeeping to clean each Wednesday before they leave work for the day. We rolled the program out to the
entire campus between May 15 and August 15, 2011.
Classroom Trash Can Removal Program
Up until the fall of 2009, there were trash cans in every classroom on campus. Over the summer, UNC Charlotte
piloted removing the trash cans from the classrooms of two buildings. With its success and an increase in
collection of recyclables, all the trash cans were removed from all 200 traditional classrooms on campus.
In addition to the cost and labor savings, we added to the “greening” of the UNC Charlotte campus. With
everyone taking responsibility to bring the trash and recyclables out of the classroom and to a bin in the hallway
we have seen a 20% increase in the amount of bottles and cans recycled.
Target Audience: Housekeeping & Recycling
Learning Objective: (1) Attendees will learn about methods to increase recycling in academic buildings and offices
(2) while increasing efficiency in cleaning the buildings by increasing participation from every staff and student on campus.
Our methods are transferable to any campus and do not require new equipment or altering your infrastructure, just shifting
attention from trash to resource conservation. (3) Most importantly attendees will come away with information on setting
up a successful best practice and how to include all members of the campus to insure success.
Bio: Devin Hatley, Environmental Educator with Office of Waste Reduction & Recycling.
A native of Concord, NC, Hatley joined the University in July 2006. Prior to his current role, he worked for Habitat for
Humanity and served six years in the United States Navy. He completed a bachelor’s degree in communications with a
business minor from East Carolina University. Devin is married to Elizabeth and father to two daughters, Alexys, 8, and
Brooke, 6.