Recycling Infrastructure Guidelines for UBC Buildings

Recycling Infrastructure Guidelines for UBC Buildings Updated March 2, 2015

Contents 1. Background... 2 2. Overview of Requirements... 2 2.1. New Buildings Serviced by UBC Building Operations... 2 2.2. Other Buildings... 2 2.3. Existing Buildings... 2 2.4. Approvals... 3 3. Placement and Number of Stations... 3 3.1. General... 3 3.2. Offices... 3 3.3. Classrooms and laboratories... 3 3.4. Lunch rooms and kitchenettes... 3 3.5. Lobbies... 4 4. Recycling Station Configuration... 4 5. Space Provisions for Recycling Stations... 5 5.1. Full Size Stations... 5 5.2. Small Stations... 5 6. Recycling Storage Areas... 6 7. Recycling Station Types by Area... 7 8. Specifications for Recycling Stations... 11 8.1. Full Size and Small Stations - Overall Design... 11 8.2. Full Size Stations Dimensions & Signage... 12 8.3. Small Size Stations Dimensions & Signage... 14 8.4. Standard Small Size Stations... 14 9. Food Scraps Sorting and Collection Containers... 15 For more information contact: Campus and Community Planning, Water & Zero Waste Engineer UBC Building Operations, Superintendent of Custodial Services

1. Background This document provides guidelines for the incorporation of recycling (also known as waste sorting) stations into both new and existing buildings at UBC Point Grey campus. These recycling stations allow waste to be recycled and composted, rather than disposed in landfill or incineration. The Zero Waste Action Plan includes as a target the full rollout of multi-stream recycling collection in all buildings by the end of 2015, which will be necessary to reach or exceed a 70% and higher waste diversion rate, and to comply with the upcoming Metro Vancouver ban on organic waste disposal. A key requirement for success is to achieve consistency in recycling station design and signage across campus; thus it is essential that buildings and recycling stations be designed in accordance with this Guideline. Designs and specifications for recycling stations have been pilot tested and refined through several iterations. 2. Overview of Requirements All public and occupied areas in UBC buildings need to be served by recycling stations, rather than standalone garbage cans. Even if recycling stations are provided, the presence of standalone garbage cans typically undermines the intended function of the stations. 2.1. New Buildings Serviced by UBC Building Operations 2.1.1. Space must be provided and identified on floor plans to install recycling stations. 2.1.2. Standard UBC prefabricated/off the shelf stations are recommended for consistency and maintainability. These may be procured through UBC Building Operations alternatively stations may be constructed as part of the project, for example built-in millwork, in accordance with the specifications in this guideline. 2.2. Other Buildings For buildings not serviced by UBC Building Operations (for example, student housing): while such stations do not have to meet operational requirements for UBC Building Operations, stations should still meet the Overall Design and Signage requirements, to achieve consistency across campus. Locations and space allocations should also align with this guideline where appropriate. 2.3. Existing Buildings While this guideline applies to both new and existing buildings, existing buildings often have space constraints that affect placement and size of recycling stations. Stations should be installed to be consistent with this guideline to the extent possible. Moving from typical practices in the past, the recommended strategy for an existing building is to consolidate multiple garbage can locations into a single recycling station location; this can avoid increasing custodial staff workload. Page 2

2.4. Approvals As each building is different, siting and provision of recycling stations including built-in stations is to be reviewed by Campus & Community Planning, Sustainability & Engineering (new buildings) or Building Operations Custodial (existing buildings) prior to finalization of plans and construction. This potentially saves considerable effort in addressing gaps or design issues later. Approvals should be obtained before building permit. 3. Placement and Number of Stations 3.1. General On average, each recycling station can service about 1,000 m 2 of gross building floor space. When considering only occupied office spaces or classrooms, this area served may be significantly smaller. The number of stations may need to be adjusted up or down depending on the number of users and the size of stations. Typical placement is against a wall. Stations should be located such that the front of the station, and therefore signage, is facing the majority of users. Stand-alone garbage cans are to be removed from areas serviced by recycling stations. Clearance must be sufficient to meet any Building Code and Technical Guideline requirements, and positioning of the station must not block fixtures or equipment such as fire alarm pulls, light switches, ventilation openings, etc. 3.2. Offices o o o Individual offices have desk-side recycling and mini-garbage bins ( My Waste, My Responsibility system), typically emptied by occupants. Recycling stations should be within 25 m of all offices and on the same level. As per Table 1, food scraps and recyclable containers bins may optionally be omitted from an office station, provided these streams are provided at another station within 25 m (e.g., at a lunch room). 3.3. Classrooms and laboratories o o Recycling stations located within 5 m (large classrooms or lecture halls) or 10 m (smaller classrooms) of the door, typically in the hallway. Stations should normally not be positioned inside the classroom, and the classroom should generally not include standalone garbage cans. 3.4. Lunch rooms and kitchenettes o Recycling stations located in the same room or within 3 m of the food preparation area, and this station must include food scraps. Page 3

o As per Table 1, provided there is a paper recycling bin/station nearby, these spaces may use a 3-stream station with the paper bin omitted, where space is constrained. 3.5. Lobbies o Recycling stations situated such that most building visitors will be able to see at least one fullsize station when entering or leaving the building through main entrances. 4. Recycling Station Configuration Recycling stations are configured to collect waste in separate streams (refer to the sustain.ubc.ca recycling web site for detailed information on which materials are accepted in each stream.) The following four waste streams represent the majority of operational waste generated on campus, requiring collection in most types of occupied non-residential areas. While all stations may potentially be configured as 4-stream, the streams marked Standard are to be provided at a minimum. Table 1. Primary Recycling Station Streams Stream Recycling Streams by Area Type S=Standard O=Optional Public Areas* (4 streams) Offices (2-4 streams) Lunch Rooms & Kitchenettes (3-4 streams) Mixed paper S S O O Recyclable containers S O S S Food scraps and soiled S** O S S paper Garbage S S S S Food Service Outlets & Dining Halls (3-4 streams) * Public Areas include building lobbies, hallways (especially near classrooms), larger lounges and study areas, and event spaces. **There may be restrictions on food scraps receptacles in certain areas for example, food-prohibited areas in libraries. Other materials (for example, batteries or soft plastics) may also be collected in occupied areas, subject to availability of collection services. Refer to the sustain.ubc.ca recycling web site for more information on available programs. Page 4

5. Space Provisions for Recycling Stations 5.1. Full Size Stations Full size stations apply to indoor space types with higher traffic and usage, where space is available, including building lobbies, classroom hallways, libraries, food service outlets and others. These stations enclose the standard 35 gallon recycling and food scraps carts (and also garbage receptacles) used by UBC Waste Management. Space is to be provided for recycling stations with dimensions as per the following table. Table 2. Full Size Recycling Station Dimensions No. of streams (as per Depth & Height Width 1 Table 1) 4-Stream 27 d x 50 h (69 cm d x 127 cm h) <112 (285 cm) 3-Stream 27 d x 50 h (69 cm d x 127 cm h) 87 (221 cm) 2-Stream 27 d x 50 h (69 cm d x 127 cm h) 62 (157 cm) Minimum 36 clearance is required in front for doors and custodial removal of recycling carts. 5.2. Small Stations Where space is too constrained for full size stations, or where traffic and usage is lower, smaller stations that use small plastic bins rather than the 35 gallon carts may be used. Typical examples would be lunch rooms, existing buildings with very office spaces, or small buildings with lower occupancy. Capacity of small stations is much smaller than large stations, therefore they may need to be situated closer together to provide adequate capacity, depending on occupancy and usage. In these circumstances, space is to be provided for a four-stream recycling station with the following dimensions: Table 3. Small Recycling Station Dimensions No. of streams (as per Depth & Height* Width Table 1) 4-Stream 24 d x 43 h (61 cm d x 110 cm h) 66 (165 cm) 3-Stream 24 d x 43 h (61 cm d x 110 cm h) 50 (127 cm) 2-Stream 24 d x 43 h (61 cm d x 110 cm h) 35 (89) *When mounted on a dolly, overall height is 47. Minimum 30 clearance is required in front for custodial removal of bags. 1 The new generation of recycling stations (early/mid 2015) may be slightly smaller width. Page 5

6. Recycling Storage Areas In addition to the four primary recycling streams listed earlier, each building requires storage for corrugated cardboard collection, and optionally a number of other materials depending on the building, as shown in the following table. Refer to the sustain.ubc.ca recycling web site for more information on available programs. Table 4. Streams to be Stored for Collection Recycling Streams S=Standard O=Optional* Mixed paper S Recyclable containers S Food scraps and soiled paper S Garbage S Corrugated cardboard S Electronics O Soft plastics O Styrofoam O Other O *Collection of the Optional streams listed above is only provided at select locations by Building Operations. The following table summarizes the area recommended for recycling storage in non-residential buildings 2. Note however that storage area needs will be influenced by factors including waste and recycling pickup frequency and inclusion of optional recycling streams. Table 5. Storage Area Guidelines Building Floor Area (m 2 ) Minimum Area for Recycling Storage (m 2 ) 0-465 8 466-1400 12 1401-4650 16 4651-9300 21 9300-18600 26 >18600 47 Storage spaces must also provide adequate ventilation, especially important given the need to store food scraps bins. Refer to applicable UBC Technical Guide sections and BC Building Code requirements for garbage storage for more information. Outdoor storage areas should be covered and enclosed with fencing or other means to prevent access to recycling bins by the public. 2 Based on LEED 2009 Reference Guide, Storage and Collection of Recyclables. Page 6

7. Recycling Station Types by Area Page 7

Standard Stations AREA TYPE STATION TYPE & EXAMPLES MAX. FOOTPRINT 112 Higher traffic & waste volume High visibility Example: ground floor lobby Full size enclosed station Type A (Overall height 50 ) 27 Constrained spaces with smaller waste volumes Lower visibility Examples: small academic office or lunch room Small Station Waste Watcher shown. Type D 66 (Overall height 43 ) 24 Note typically a bin liner is required to keep food scraps (and sometimes container recycling) bins clean. If plastic bags are used for food scraps collection they must be removed prior to emptying contents into green food scraps carts. See section 9 for more information. Page 8

Alternative Stations Areas with special architectural requirements or built-in millwork Example: executive office May be full size or small See specifications in next section Custom millwork station (small station example) 66 (Overall height 43 ) 24 Page 9

EXAMPLE CONFIGURATION ACADEMIC BUILDING 112 Lobby and classroom hallway: A-4 Food scraps, containers, paper, garbage 27 66 Smaller office area, lunch room: D-4, D-3 Food Scraps, containers, paper, garbage (paper may be omitted in lunch rooms) 24 Office photocopier areas may optionally include a stand-alone paper recycling cart, if no full size station is adjacent. Page 10

8. Specifications for Recycling Stations 8.1. Full Size and Small Stations - Overall Design 8.1.1. Standard configuration accommodates four waste streams (carts or bins); cart/bin requirements are in the next section. 8.1.2. Individual modules (including backboard) that can be connected together in the field is preferred, due to variable space constraints and the need to change streams 8.1.3. Recycled and recyclable plastic lumber material is preferred 8.1.4. Standard body colour is Pantone 7540C or as close as possible. Alternative materials or colours are possible if needed to match architectural context. Materials must consider durability and maintenance needs. 8.1.5. Contemporary design details with flush exterior surfaces e.g., panels flush with posts, if posts are used 8.1.6. No casters (station is to stay in place); levelling feet 8.1.7. Doors to have a robust magnetic latch and pull handle on front 8.1.8. Door for recyclable containers to include a lock with a standard master key for Building Operations 8.1.9. Top is flat, not sloped 8.1.10. Top cutouts and colours as shown in following sections. 8.1.11. Where there are architectural requirements regarding colours, single colour tops with the appropriate cutouts are possible. 8.1.12. Where different coloured tops are used, they are interchangeable in the field 8.1.13. Bullnose (rounded) front edge on top 8.1.14. Smooth, flush joints between tops and on sides of tops A closable, attached cover is required for food scraps, recyclable containers and garbage, which can be included or deleted depending on the context (see example photos below) Example of cover for food scraps. Page 11

8.2. Full Size Stations Dimensions & Signage 8.2.1. Accommodates Schaefer 35 gallon carts with lid open at back; design must allow empty and full carts to be rolled in and out easily 8.2.2. Minimum Inside dimensions 39 high, 24 ½ wide, 23 ½ deep 8.2.3. Height of top approx. 42-43 8.2.4. Max outside width of four chambers 111 8.2.5. Top cutouts and colours as shown below: 8.5 dia 8.5 dia 6x12 8.5x8.5 Food Scraps Pantone 355C or similar Recyclable Containers C0, M0, Y0, K60 Paper Pantone 301C or similar Garbage Black 8.2.6. Backboard maximum 6.5 high, clear window for mounting a printed sign of 6.25 high behind. Viewable area at least 5.5 h for each stream, with signage frame as narrow and flush as possible. Signs should be changeable for each stream separately. 8.2.7. Door fronts should include standard text and fonts as per the signage adaptation toolkit. Sort It Out and ubc sustainability branding is optional. See figure below for door signage information. Signs should be printed and mounted such that they can be easily replaced with new paper signs in the future for example, via a transparent acrylic frame. Page 12

Top door decals are 10 w x 5 h 3.75 Refer to current artwork files for backboard graphic signage Bottom door decals are 22 w x 9 h 10 Note doors may be single or double (double shown) Signage artwork files (including both graphics and text) can be found here: http://sustain.ubc.ca/sites/sustain.ubc.ca/files/images/campusinitiatives/recycling_signage_kit.zip http://sustain.ubc.ca/campus-initiatives/recycling-waste/sort-it-out/resources under Recycling Signage Kit Page 13

8.3. Small Size Stations Dimensions & Signage 8.3.1. If the stations are to be serviced by UBC Building Operations, bin sizes to be accommodated are as follows: accommodates plastic bins up to 11 w x 15 d x 20 h (i.e., Rubbermaid 2957 wastebasket), plus a vertical clearance of 2. Depending on the desired top height, an internal shelf may be required to bring the bins to the appropriate height. 8.3.2. The openings for food scraps, containers and garbage may require closable covers (see Full Size Stations for examples). 8.3.3. Top cutouts as shown below. Colours are as per Full Size Stations. 6 dia 6 dia 3x12 6x6 8.3.4. For small size stations standard signs are 8 ½ x 11 portrait or landscape format, mounted on the backsplash (one per stream). Signs should be printed on paper with UV-stable ink, with a transparent cover (e.g., acrylic) that allows cleaning and allows signs to be easily replaced with new paper signs in the future. Signage artwork files (including both graphics and text) can be found here: http://sustain.ubc.ca/sites/sustain.ubc.ca/files/images/campusinitiatives/recycling_signage_kit.zip http://sustain.ubc.ca/campus-initiatives/recycling-waste/sort-it-out/resources under Recycling Signage Kit 8.4. Standard Small Size Stations 8.4.1. Preferred model is Busch Waste Watcher. 8.4.2. Black bodies and coloured lids/tops as per standard colour scheme. 8.4.3. Food scraps, recyclable containers and garbage to include closing lift lids. 8.4.4. Integrated signs that include standard UBC signage in portrait format. Page 14

9. Food Scraps Sorting and Collection Containers This section provides additional information on options for collection of food scraps, including bin liners. More information on these products can be obtained from manufacturer web sites. At the time of writing, compostable plastic bags are not acceptable at the UBC Composting Facility. Bin Type Available Non-Plastic Liners Comments Sure-Close small pail 7 litres Bag to Earth paper bag liner 7 litre Liner not carryable Paper liners tend to collapse a bit on the sides Used in most student residence units, and also in the voluntary food scraps program for offices, where small volumes are generated Must be emptied into the green carts Bin Fresh Kitchen Bin Liners - beige Thicker, heavy duty liner that can be reused a limited number of times (this may require a change to existing procedures) Good fit for this pail, does not collapse. Busch KC2000 pail Approx. 9 litres Bag to Earth small food waste bin liners Liner not carryable Paper liners tend to collapse a bit on the sides Used in a small number of residence units and offices where small volumes are generated. Must be emptied into the green carts 30.3 cm H x 19.6 cm W x 12 cm D 11.5"H x 7.75"W x 4.75"D Page 15

Bin Type Available Non-Plastic Liners Comments Bag to Earth small food waste bags Can be carried (more moisture proof) provided it is not left in the container too long More expensive 29.5 cm H x 18.5 cm W x 10 cm D 12"H x 7"W x 4"D Bin Fresh Kitchen Bin Liners - Green Thicker, heavy duty liner that can be reused a limited number of times (this may require a change to existing procedures) Good fit for this pail, does not collapse. 11"H x 7"W x 7.5"D Page 16

Bin Type Available Non-Plastic Liners Comments Rubbermaid 2957 Wastebasket 39 litres Bag to Earth Large paper bag liner See earlier comments on paper liners or food waste bag Fit is not ideal may need a mechanism to hold the bag open at the top for best results and/or a plastic liner (periodically removed) underneath to keep the bin clean Proposed future system - this would be integrated within a station for areas with moderate volumes generated e.g., lunch rooms or lounges Would be collected/emptied by Custodial staff 55.9 cm H x 31.4 cm W x 21.3 cm D 22"H x 12"W x 8"D Page 17

Bin Type Available Non-Plastic Liners Comments Schaefer USD 35 green cart approx. 140 litres None identified Carts are typically washed at South Campus composting facility after tipping into a hopper using a mechanized lifting system Used to collect from smaller pails and in areas with large volumes generated Moved from inside the building to loading bays, picked up by UBC Municipal Operations Used stand-alone and also within large recycling stations Page 18