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Recycling / Composting Operational Process Question

I've written waste and recycling policies many a time before for both construciton and operations... but in a volunteer committee application this morning, the maintenance team got bogged down on "how do we collect recycling without plastic bags" question. I told them there's not any kind of plastic bag that I'm aware of which can be thrown into a recycling dumpster, but they're hesitant to collection without bags. Also had a lot of concerns about "what about when people throw half full sodas in there"? type questions. 

Curious what kind of resources or guidance anyone has on ongoing waste management operations from a staff training perspective to address these type of concerns? 

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Sat, 11/18/2023 - 04:32

Wondering from the crickets if this is either too obvious, or we don't have ready answers. Assuming the latter, I'll compile what results I'm finding from my other connections in case others might find it useful! I do love a good process but this is - as you'd suspect - messy. From the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), their Environmental Services (EVS) team collects recyclables in poly bags and then segregates them at the dock into appropriate waste stream totes.   Creighton University faces similar challenges. They use bags in their recycling bins, and it’s the responsibility of the janitorial staff to empty the contents into larger dumpsters without the bags. For smaller recycling bins, especially for paper, no bags are used, simplifying the process. However, they face issues with contamination leading to recyclables being thrown away. They also have a 7 percent contamination rule to avoid fines, and are focusing on better signage, staff training, and student awareness.

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