Hi all,
I have a project that is pursuing this pilot credit, as it aligns with city requirements for separate collection for organic waste. The building is 15 stories, and corridors are all exterior. Because of this, there are not trash rooms on each level - only chutes. It was not practical for the project to have an organic waste chute for maintenance, and having bins for collection on each level could cause issues with birds (or other animals) being attracted to the compost bins. The have one main trash room, where the trash, recycling, and compost bins will be. Has anyone else had experience pursuing this pilot credit in a similar building?
George Oakley
Project ManagerArchEcology LLC
January 2, 2025 - 3:25 pm
Hi Emma,
My admittedly somewhat limited experience with this has been with multifamily midrise buildings that have interior corridors. Even in these projects typically there no chutes for compostables, just waste and recycling. Residents are responsible for taking their own compostables to the main trash room where the compost bins are stored alongside the compactors for trash and recycling. To keep the chutes out of the corridors, these projects have rooms on each level where the chutes are accessible. It is possible, but often impractical, to have small compost bins in these rooms.
Based on your description, it sounds as if the chutes in your project are accessible directly from the exterior corridor space and do not have a small room that must be entered for access. If that is the case, it seems that the chutes themselves may become an attractive nuisnace as well. Perhaps a secure compost bin with a lid that closes tightly could work as a possible solution. Form & Surfaces or Landscape Forms may be able to customize one of their standard units to provide an attractive and secure option.
Best.