Office of Waste Reduction & Recycling

OWRR Design Guidelines

Site & Space Planning C&D Waste Management Access to Buildings During Construction Requirements by Phase Waste Reduction Home

Printable Version

Site and Space Planning
Outdoor Service Areas Indoor Recycling Sites Walkway Sites
Needs Based on Building Use Containers & Equipment Overview Service Vehicles

Indoor Recycling Sites
Cabinets (Bin Enclosures) Standard Bins

This information supports and supplements information included in the UNC-Chapel Hill Design Guidelines—specifically, Chapter V: Section 02475 B and Section 12300. Contact Amy Preble (919) 962-5169 for more information.

Indoor Recycling: Site and Space Planning

Interior space for recycling collection must be allocated based on where and how much material is generated. There must always be a trash can adjacent to or as part of the indoor recycling site. Office paper, newspaper/magazine, and bottle/can recycling locations should be located on each floor.

In non-public areas, standard OWRR-provided bins are sufficient. In public areas, recycling cabinets may be used instead of OWRR’s standard bins.

All containers shall be located on an accessible path of travel per the ADA and State Building Code. Care should be given to locate containers away from exit doors, elevators, or in areas that may impede movement in the event of an emergency.  In accordance with applicable codes, recycling containers should be placed away from fire alarms, extinguishers and automatic door openers.  Recycling containers shall not be placed in stairwells.

Whenever possible, departments should share recycling areas. When this is not possible, each department should have its own recycling areas. If there is only one department for the whole building, there should be a recycling center for office paper, newspaper/magazine, and bottle/can collection on each floor.

Click here for photos of recycling cabinets installed in various campus buildings.

Also see: Needs Based on Building Use

General: Indoor recycling must be provided in the following areas:

  • work rooms*
  • copy rooms*
  • break rooms**
  • computer labs*
  • lounges**
  • outside classrooms and auditoriums**
  • other areas where people will congregate or generate recyclables**

* Copier, mail and work rooms must have a trash can and two recycling bins (one for office fiber and one for newspapers/magazines).

** Public areas must have a trash can, bottle/can bin, and newspaper/magazine bin. In some situations, office fiber bins are also needed in public areas.

Buildings such as residence halls, dining halls, athletic facilities, theatres, conference centers, shipping and receiving areas, animal quarters, etc. may have special needs. Consult the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling for assistance with planning space for indoor recycling in these areas.

OWRR will work with designers and building occupants to determine location, the number and type of bins needed.

Footprint: While there are several different styles of indoor recycling bins, planning for a footprint of 24" W x 24" D per container is adequate.
Service Vehicles: The Waste Handling Vehicles page gives complete dimensions for all of the vehicles used to service indoor recycling.
Abbreviations:
updated 6/18/07

BC = Bottles/Cans

OF = Office Fiber

NM = Newspapers/Magazines

MP = Mixed Paper

The information on this page can be found in the UNC Design Guidelines, Chapter III. University Planning Standards, Section C. Space Planning Requirements, 2. Building Service Areas, d) Indoor Recycling Bins/Locations.

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