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:
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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
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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:
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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):
o 7 garbage bins
o 3 recycle bins
o 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:
o Garbage = Black/grey
o Recycle = Blue
o Compost = Green
 Increase the number of stations from 7 to 9
 Even distribution of the stations as indicated on the included maps
 Consistent grouping:
o Full station = Garbage, recycle, compost
o 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
Global Industrial Supply
Uline
Rubbermaid for Less
Home Depot
Black
$50.95
$49.00
NA
$64.16
Blue
$47.95
$50.00
$56.61
$44.67
Green
NA
$50.00
$55.01
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
Global Industrial Supply
Uline
Rubbermaid for Less
Home Depot
Black
NA
NA
$68.36
$55.97
Blue
$60.95
$69.00
$68.36
$59.95
Green
NA
NA
$68.36
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
Global Industrial Supply
Uline
Rubbermaid for Less
Home Depot
Blue
$699.00
$675.00
$833.97
$664.76
Green
$699.00
NA
NA
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
http://www.seattle.gov/util/cs/groups/public/@spu/@garbage/documents/webcontent/02_015209.pdf
Summary of Washington State Hazardous & Solid Waste Management Plan
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/0407022.pdf