Sanitation Services trashes traditional bins to encourage zero waste goals

To help foster a green office culture, and recycle as much as possible, Sanitation Services is piloting a “binless” office program.

“We’re all busy during the day so there are times when we inadvertently toss trash into the recycling bin or recycles into the trash bin,” said Sanitation Services Coordinator Murray Myers.

With the new binless system, two waste stations will serve the entire office and trash and recycling bins at each desk will be removed. Discarded materials must be taken to the waste station for sorting. Myers says the benefits to the community will far outweigh the convenience of a desk-side bin. Two waste stations will include a blue recycling bin for paper, cardboard, metal containers, plastic containers (#1-5,7) and cartons and a trash bin for non-recyclables, including food waste, shredded paper, plastic film, and other trash items.

Going binless reduces the amount of time needed for trash and recyclable pickup and will enable city staff to get moving which, in turn, supports the City’s Wellness program. The binless office also increases the office’s recycling rate since the waste station provides more time to determine if an item is recyclable. Myers says it is all in an effort to move the entire City towards zero waste.