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Waste Reduction and Recycling

Zero Waste Workplace: Advancing NC State’s Sustainability Goals

February 21, 2025

NC State University is committed to sustainability, with a bold goal of achieving 70% waste diversion, as outlined in the Sustainability Strategic Plan. One key initiative driving progress toward this target is the Zero Waste Workplace program, a joint effort between Waste Reduction & Recycling (WRR) and Environmental Services. Recognized across the country, the miniBIN system helps students, staff, faculty, and departments adopt responsible waste management practices.

Expanding Zero Waste Workplace on Campus

The program has continued to grow, with recent expansions into Nelson Hall, Weaver Labs, Hunt Library, and Fox Teaching Labs. These buildings have long awaited Zero Waste Workplace implementation, and WRR is excited to bring the program to them! Since its pilot launch in July 2016, the program has helped departments reduce landfill waste, improve recycling and composting efforts, and enhance campus sustainability.

Key Components of Zero Waste Workplace

Zero Waste Workplace focuses on four primary components:

  • Bin Optimization: Updated centralized collection sites, including landfill, recycling, compost bins, and miniBINs to replace traditional deskside bins.
  • Composting: Compost bins for paper towels in restrooms and food scraps in break rooms help divert organic waste.
  • Specialized Waste Collections: Unique materials that cannot be processed through standard recycling and composting are properly managed in collaboration with building faculty and staff. Learn more about Specialty Recycling here.
  • Education & Engagement: WRR provides educational tabling, staff training, printed flyers, digital billboards, and soon-to-be-released online videos to help building occupants understand and participate in Zero Waste Workplace.
Composting: Closing the Loop on Campus

Composting bins placed in restrooms and break rooms accept coffee grounds, filters, food scraps, and paper towels. The collected material is processed at NC State’s Compost Facility and Research Cooperative, creating nutrient-rich soil amendments used in campus landscaping, research, and at the AgroEcology Farm to grow produce for University Dining. This closed-loop system reinforces NC State’s commitment to sustainability.

Benefits of Zero Waste Workplace

Research has shown that implementing miniBINs – small, personal waste bins – successfully reduces landfill waste across hospitals, businesses, and universities. Additional benefits of the program include:

  • Lower waste disposal costs by eliminating deskside bin liners and housekeeping labor
  • Pest and odor prevention through daily waste disposal at central sites
  • Empowers individuals to contribute to a more sustainable campus 
Understanding MiniBINs & Environmental Services Role
  • How can the miniBIN hold all my trash? It might not – and that’s intentional! The miniBIN encourages users to dispose of bulk materials like excess food and trash in central landfill and recycling bins, preventing odor buildup and pest issues at desks. We recommend emptying it daily. Maybe you’ll realize how little landfill waste you actually generate! If that’s the case, give yourself a pat on the back! 🙂
  • Will Environmental Services empty my deskside recycling miniBIN and compost bins? No, self-service sorting increases recycling rates and fosters awareness of personal waste habits. Housekeeping does empty convenience site bins and additional compost bins in break rooms and restrooms.
How You Can Participate

If your building has recently adopted Zero Waste Workplace – congratulations! Composting is a privilege, and it’s essential to understand what materials belong in the compost bin. If you have questions, want to bring the program to your building, or haven’t seen an educational event scheduled, reach out to our office at recycling@ncsu.edu or follow @NCStateRecycles on Instagram.

Upcoming Zero Waste Workplace Education Events

  • Friday, Feb 21st at 1:00 PM – Zero Waste Workplace presentation via Zoom organized by Nelson Hall (Meeting ID: 959 8637 1234
  • Tuesday, Feb 25th from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM – Zero Waste Workplace tabling event at Fox Science Teaching Labs
  • Hunt Library session coming soon…

Join us in making NC State a leader in sustainability by embracing Zero Waste Workplace. Every effort counts towards a zero waste campus!