Zero Waste Workplace

One approach to achieving 70% waste diversion at NC State University.

NC State University is striving for a 70% waste diversion by 2022. To achieve this goal, it has implemented key diversion programs that focus on source reduction, increased recycling and expanded composting opportunities. Zero Waste Workplace is one such program.

A joint effort between Waste Reduction & Recycling and University Housekeeping, Zero Waste Workplace has been recognized both locally and throughout the Carolinas for its ability to help students, staff, faculty, and departments work towards zero waste on campus.

Zero Waste Workplaces on campus include:

Administrative Services Buildings I, II, & III
Bureau of Mines
Sullivan Shops I, II, & III
JC Raulston Arboretum
Talley Student Union
Witherspoon Student Center
Schaub Food Science
Fitts-Woolard Hall
College of Natural Resources (Jordan Hall, Jordan Addition, Biltmore Hall, Pulp & Paper, Hodges).

The primary components of a Zero Waste Workplace include bin optimization, composting, specialized waste collections and education.

1. Bin Optimization

By updating and streamlining deskside bins and convenience sites to University bin standards, work space can reduce their waste-to-landfill through improved sorting and increased self-service recycling. Bin optimization also includes the use of educational backerboards & signage that provide users with images of accepted items and the miniBIN, a lightweight and portable clip-on landfill container that replaces a traditional deskside bin.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities
Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities
Capital Project Management
Design & Construction Services
EH&S Center
Facilities Human Resources
Housekeeping Services
Office of Contracts & Grants
Office of Research & Innovation
Office of the University Architect
Sustainability
Entomology & Plant Pathology
JC Raulston Arboretum
Horticulture Science
Case Dining Hall
Clark Dining Hall
Fountain Dining Hall
Budget & Resources Management
Budget Office
Campus Enterprises
HR Administration
HR Transportation
Human Resources- Staff Senate
Schaub Food Science

Office of Cost Analysis
Purchasing Department
University Controller
University Controller
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
Building Maintenance & Operations
Building Services
Busines Services
Campus Mail Services
Grounds Maintenance
Motor Pool Services
Waste Reduction & Recycling
Poole College of Management- Supply Chain Resource Cooperative
African American Cultural Center
Passport Services
Registration & Records
Student Development Health & Wellness
Student Media
Academic Student Affairs
Campus Life
Communication Technologies
Fraternity & Sorority Life
GLBT Center
Leadership & Civic Engagement

NC State Bookstores
NC State Live
Student Involvement
Ticket Central
University Theatre
Women’s Center
NC State Athletics- Case Academic Center
NC State Administration- Weisiger-Brown
Air Force, Army, Navy ROTC
Football (Muphy Football Center)
Men’s & Women’s Cross Country
Men’s & Women’s Cross Country
Men’s & Women’s Golf
Men’s & Women’s Rifle
Men’s & Women’s Soccer
Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving
Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
Men’s Basketball
Men’s Wrestling
Softball
Women’s Basketball
Women’s Gymnastics
Women’s Volleyball

Environmental Sciences
Paper Science and Engineering
Environmental Technology and Management
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Forest Management
Sport Management
Natural Resources
Sustainable Materials Technology
Biomedical Engineering (UNC/NC State)
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Forest Biomaterials
Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science

2. Composting

Composting bins are made available in breakrooms and restrooms. Acceptable items include coffee grounds & filters, food scraps, and paper towels.

Learn what can be composted at NC State

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities
Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities
Capital Project Management
College of Veterinary Medicine
Design & Construction Services
EH&S Center
Facilities Human Resources
Housekeeping Services
Office of Contracts & Grants
Office of Research & Innovation
Office of the University Architect
Communication Technologies
Building Services
Busines Services
Campus Mail Services
Grounds Maintenance
Motor Pool Services
Waste Reduction & Recycling
Schaub Food Science

Sustainability
JC Raulston Arboretum
Horticulture Science
Case Dining Hall
Clark Dining Hall
Fountain Dining Hall
Budget & Resources Management
Budget Office
Campus Enterprises
HR Administration
HR Transportation
Human Resources- Staff Senate
Office of Cost Analysis
Purchasing Department
University Controller
University Controller
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
Building Maintenance & Operations

Poole College of Management- Supply Chain Resource Cooperative
African American Cultural Center
Passport Services
Registration & Records
Student Development Health & Wellness
Student Media
Academic Student Affairs
Campus Life
Fraternity & Sorority Life
GLBT Center
Leadership & Civic Engagement
NC State Bookstores
NC State Live
Student Involvement
Ticket Central
University Theatre
Women’s Center

Environmental Sciences
Paper Science and Engineering
Environmental Technology and Management
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Forest Management
Sport Management
Natural Resources
Sustainable Materials Technology
Biomedical Engineering (UNC/NC State)
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Forest Biomaterials
Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science

special waste examples include shredded paper, pallets, electronics recycling, compostable items from events in a clearstream, and plastic syringe cases

3. Specialized Waste Collections

The variety of research and academic programming available on campus means that buildings on campus generate very different types of waste. The Zero Waste Workplace program collaborates with building faculty and staff to identify and divert materials that typically cannot be managed through standard recycling/composting collections.

4. Education

A successful Zero Waste Workplace program requires continued education and collaboration between many individuals. WRR provides ongoing assistance to groups and individuals through presentations and trainings regarding recycling, composting and the zero waste workplace on campus.

Zero Waste FAQs

Contact Us and we will discuss feasibility! Composting requires access to external compost dumpsters and/or carts. University Housekeeping may also have to be contacted for services, depending on the type and level of composting you want to implement.

Contact Us and we will schedule a site evaluation. Based on the size and type (appropriated vs. receipts) of your building, WRR will provide you with estimated cost lists (if any) and timeline.

It depends! Individuals are responsible for emptying their deskside recycling containers and miniBINs in appropriated office buildings. Self-service sorting by individuals increases recycling rates and provides individuals with an opportunity to fully appreciate how their personal choices affect the landfill, recycling, and composting efforts for the campus and the global community. Some receipts-operated departments still have Housekeeping empty their deskside bins.

Housekeeping will regularly empty the convenience sites as well as the additional compost containers in the breakrooms and restrooms if a Zero Waste Workplace is installed.

Honestly it may not hold it all– which is the point! One of the benefits of the miniBIN is to have users put bulk material, excess food & trash into the central convenience site landfill and recycling bins vs leaving it at their office desk to attract rodents and other pests. You may need to empty the mini-bin every day- OR, you may realize how little landfill waste you produce!

Hospitals, governments, businesses, and universities across the country have found great success with the implementation of a miniBIN program:

-The City of San Jose established the miniBIN program in 1997. For the city’s two largest buildings, city hall and police headquarters, landfill waste disposal pickup was reducing by roughly 50% resulting in collection fee savings of $11,000.
-UNC-Charlotte discovered about a 15 % increase in recycling and a savings of about $13,000 annually in waste liner reduction.
-Porter County, Ind., reduced its waste pickup cost by one-third.
-Kalamazoo County saved about $4,000 annually with an elimination in waste liners.

Waste Reduction and Recycling is committed to testing initiatives that influence both source reduction and waste diversion. Use of the miniBIN is only one step in many initiatives across campus to do just that. As we pass the 50 percent diversion rate margin, we must continue the momentum towards zero waste.

By optimizing bins, adding composting, and providing education to building occupants, Zero Waste Workplace provide multiple benefits, including:
-increased diversion of materials from the landfill
-elimination of deskside bin liners, which saves purchasing costs and labor
-pest & odor prevention by reducing waste kept in deskside bins
-lighter bag pulls due to reduced bin sizes
-creating a closed-loop system for organic waste
-cultivating a culture of sustainability
-advancing campus goals set by NC State’s Sustainability Strategic Plan
-answering commitments mandated by UNCGA Sustainability Policy to develop policies & programs that work toward zero waste

Zero Waste Workplace