Mini-Bins

Waste Less and Recycle More with a Mini-Bin

The waste reduction Mini-Bin is a new system that Environmental and Cleaning Services is adopting campus wide to reduce waste going to landfill and increase recycling. Individual waste bins are becoming a redundant and an old fashioned way of dealing with waste.

The system involves substituting the normal general waste bin under your desk with a small desk-top Mini-Bin, and the provision of a co-mingled recycling bin under your desk. Staff then empty their own Mini-Bin into central general waste bins located in staff rooms, kitchens, foyers or corridors. Recycling bins and the central waste bins are then emptied by the cleaning staff as per usual.

The main aim of the Mini-Bin system is to remove waste bins from under desks with the purpose of:

• increasing recycling
• reducing waste going to landfill
• increasing individual responsibility for the waste they create
• reducing time cleaners spend on emptying bins
• reducing the number of plastic liners going to landfill

The University’s recycling contractor has stated that at least 80% of the waste that is generated at the UWA Crawley site is recyclable. While over the years the range of materials that can be recycled has increased, having individual waste bins under each staff member’s desk discourages recycling by individuals.

When individual waste bins are removed it becomes easier to recycle due to the fact that the temptation to throw recyclable materials into the rubbish bin is removed. The programme will therefore encourage everyone to increase recycling and consciously think about the amount of waste you as an individual produce.

For further information contact the Waste Management Officer or visit the Mini-Bin FAQ page.