The Minibin System

UC Davis employee using her minibin

Did you know that over 70% of the materials in most office waste streams is recyclable?

In an effort to reduce stress on our natural resources and to reduce the amount of recyclables going to our landfills, the UC Davis R4 Recycling Program is initiating an innovative recycling system at UC Davis. Throughout the year we will be switching your bins to make you a better recycler and a helper in reducing waste.

Here's what will happen...

1. The new minibin will hook onto to a larger mixed paper bin.
2. You will receive an informative presentation about recycling on campus
3. You will also receive a UC Davis Recycling Guide that you can post at your desk so you can easily refer to it when needed.
4. The Custodial Staff will empty both your mixed paper and trash. Therefore, there will not be anything additional required of you except to use the bins properly.
5. If you have large, non-recyclable items to throw away, you can use the large trash receptacles in the lobby.

Here is a printable quick-start guide to the minibin system. (pdf)

What are the benefits of using the minibin system?

• Recycling 200 full mixed paper bins saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space
• Not using bag liners for 200 bins saves 2 gallons of gas
• One full minibin saves the UC 25 cents in landfill fees
• One full mixed paper bin earns the UC 50 cents
• Eliminates pests and odor
• Promotes reuse, recycling, and waste reduction

Tips for using your minibin: Switch to reusable items to reduce the amount of trash you normally throw away. For instance, you can use a ceramic mug for coffee instead of using non-recyclable paper cups or Styrofoam cups. You can also bring Tupperware from home to put food in from the Coffee House instead of using their non-recyclable containers.

You can print the poster that is used as a part of our presentation (pdf).

Check out what the California Integrated Waste Management Board had to say about the benefits of a minibin program.

Please contact Lin King: or by phone at 530-752-6970.

Buildings that are on the Minibin system