Project Clearinghouse

Trial of Solar-Powered Public Waste Container System

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

Collecting and storing waste in an aesthetic manner on campus consumes fuel and uses groundskeepers' time that could be used to beautify the campus. Getting the correct recyclable and compostable material in the bins could improve the amount of waste diverted from the landfill. The Big Belly bin system is designed to improve these factors using only solar power.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Buildings & Facilities
Waste & Recycling
Project Status: 
In Progress
Project End Date: 
02/15/2023
(estimated)
Campus Organization: 
Carbon Fund
Sustainability Office
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
PPDO Grounds; Sustainability Office
Project Location: 
On campus

Prominent areas with high quantities of waste placed in outdoor bins.


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressContact NumberDepartment
Julie Sutton
jutsutto@ucsc.edu
831-459-3667
PPDO Grounds
Chris Leverenz
cleveren@ucsc.edu
831-201-9257
PPDO Grounds
Derek Martin
deemarti@ucsc.edu
831-459-3889
Sustainability Office
Funding Sources: 
Carbon Fund 50%, Physical Plant operating budget 50%

Project Description: 

The Big Belly waste bin stations will be installed at several prominent locations to assess their effect on efficiency, waste diversion, and aesthetic management of waste in public areas. The new bin stations will be installed and evaluated during the fall quarter of 2022, and recommendations from the results will be available for planning the 2023-24 budget.

Metrics for Success: 

1. How frequently Grounds staff has to empty waste containers with current bins and with test bins.
2. The quality and general quantity of the recyclable and compostable materials collected in the test bins.
3. The change in frequency of Grounds staff handling litter and doing cleaning around the bins.

Next Steps: 
1. Gather baseline data from existing bins 3/2022 - 5/2022 2. Order Big Belly bins 7/2022 3. Install bins 9/2022 4. Gather data from Big Belly bin stations 10/2022 - 12/2022 5. Final report 2/2023.
Result Categories: 
Infrastructure/Built Environment
Data Collection & Analysis
Results: 

1. Approved appearance and convenience of use of bins in several prominent test locations.
2. Assessment of whether savings of staff time from less frequent emptying of bins, and other savings, justifies expansion of Big Belly stations across campus.