Classroom Waste Chaos



Jana Vodicka - 06.11.2014

Hey everyone,

I’d like to get your input on an issue with classroom waste. 
The recycling coming out of our classrooms is non-existent.  
We have a “no food/drink” policy, but it is not enforced by faculty, and based on survey results many either do not know about it or care to enforce it.

We provide small (8gall.) colour coded, stackable bins for paper, containers, and waste in all classrooms, with custom signage posted with each set.

The problem: these bins are small, our housekeeping staff can’t access the rooms to empty them during the day, so they over flow and become general garbage. 

There is no budget to spring for larger bins to at least accommodate the volume of material coming out daily. Our housekeeping contract doesn’t allow for major changes in collection schedules or adding additional work for staff, so any end of the line solutions are a hard sell.

Question to you OCUSP-ers: 

What have been some of the successful actions you have taken on classroom waste and recycling? 


Tim Lang - 06.11.2014

We just do no bins in classrooms, but make sure that all big classrooms have large waste bins directly outside the door. We also have waste bins placed pretty frequently in our halls. That being said, our contamination rates are pretty bad. 
Tim



Stephanie Foster - 07.11.2014
Hi Jana, 
We do not have any waste/recycling containers in classrooms with a few exceptions. A couple of years ago we installed new 3-stream waste recycling bins (see photo attached) in the hallways thinking we could eventually remove the existing hallway waste containers, many of which sit right outside classrooms.  However, at certain times of the day these still overflow so we unfortunately, have not been able to remove them yet

​Sorry I can't be any more helpful! - Stephanie


  

Jonathan Rausseo - 09.11.2014

uOttawa is working towards what Tim is doing. We don't have anyone enforce the no eating policy so we are looking to put large recycling stations outside the clusters of classrooms.


Hope this helps.