Dalhousie University
IN-24: Innovation A

Dalhousie developed Waste Bin Standards that outline bin placement and design by space type. These standards were developed to reduce waste stream contamination and increase diversion rates. The standards were developed and implemented over a 6 year period, with 13 steps. 1. Initial bin ratio and waste audits. 2. Development and issuing of standards by space type 3. Bin tender created and issued 4. Signage design 5. Creation of stores (ordering) sheet 6. Full campus space audit and recommendations 7. Pre-implementation space audits in sample buildings 8. Custodial staff training 9. Sessions with building administrators 10. Communications to Dalhousie faculty, staff and students 11. Bin standard implementation (delivery and placement of bins, re-purposing and collecting old bins) 12. Post-implementation waste audits with sample buildings 13. Ongoing maintenance The Big Switch is innovative because it follows comprehensive, campus-wide standards for waste, recycling, and organics bin placement and was executed in all spaces in a short amount of time. Following standard implementation at two smaller campuses, the Big Switch was performed in one week with a team of 30-40 people, transforming the waste bin infrastructure on our medical and main campuses. The waste bin standards are coupled with communications, maintenance, and ordering resources so that the program can be taken up and maintained by Facilities Management staff and incorporated into new projects.