FAQs - Coastal Carolina University
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Mini-bins

What's a mini-bin?

Where do I take my mini-bin waste?

What if my mini-bin gets dirty or smelly when I put items such as food waste in it?

Will I be provided with trash bags?

Do I have to empty my mini-bin?

What will the custodian do instead of taking out the trash? Is this a way of eliminating jobs?

What will happen to my old trash bin?

Who do we call if our central recycling station needs attention?

Recycling

Do I have to remove staples or plastic windows from envelopes before I recycle them?

Do I have to wash the container before placing it in the recycling receptacle?

What is paperboard and can I recycle it?

 


What's a mini-bin?

A mini-bin is a trash waste receptacle that attaches on the side of a personal recycling bin. Mini-bins will be deployed into academic and administrative offices. Non-recyclable items like food, gum, chip bags and wax coated drink cups go in the mini-bin. Most office waste is recyclable and can be mixed together in the large teal recycling bin. A mini-bin system typically increases recycling by 30 percent.

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Where do I take my mini-bin waste?

Each floor of all academic and administrative buildings have multiple collection points for trash waste, single-stream recycling, and techno waste recycling. These can be found in break rooms, workrooms, exits and a central spot on each floor.

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What if my mini-bin gets dirty or smelly when I put items such as food waste in it?

Bin liners will not be provided for mini-bins so we recommend that dirty items and/or smelly food items be placed immediately in the central recycling stations. Some staff may opt to use grocery bags as bin liners for the mini-bins. You can also rinse when needed and wipe your mini-bin with a paper towel.

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Will I be provided with trash bags?

Bin liners are just another form of trash. In office spaces, alone Coastal Carolina Univesity uses over 150,000 plastic trash liners every year. Bin liners will still be used in central collection cans, but office mini-bins will be liner-free.

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Do I have to empty my mini-bin?

Yes. We are putting the responsibility of deciding when and what to recycle on you as an office holder. By making you aware of your waste and recyclables you are more likely to make a conscious decision about what happens with that waste and ultimately how much waste you produce. It can be done any time you get up to take a break or walk to the office copier. Custodians are not responsible for emptying your mini-bin.

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What will the custodian do instead of taking out the trash? Is this a way of eliminating jobs?

No. Custodial Services is becoming more efficient and calculated in our approach to cleaning. The time saved from the task of removing trash from office spaces will provide our staff with more time to disinfect high use areas like bathrooms, classrooms, and hallways. Find a detailed list of our service levels established by our Quality Assurance Unit here.

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What will happen to my old trash bin?

Your old trash bin will be reused or repurposed. It will NOT be thrown away.

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Who do we call if our central recycling station needs attention?

If you central recycling station needs attention please call 843-349-6954 or email recycle@coastal.edu.

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Do I have to remove staples or plastic windows from envelopes before I recycle them?

No. Without removing staples, paperclips or plastic windows from envelopes you can place them in the recycling receptacle.

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Do I have to wash the container before placing it in the recycling receptacle?

The container does not need to be washed, but it does need to be 'rinse-clean'. Food residue is considered contamination and while some residue is acceptable, a considerable amount is not and could cause materials to be sent to the trash. Rinsing or wiping food residue keeps odors to a minimum and reduces pests. Paper products with food residue should not be recycled.

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What is paperboard and can I recycle it?

Paperboard is thin cardboard packaging that is often used for cereal and cracker boxes. It can be recycled in any single stream recycling container throughout campus.

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