Recycling Programs & Education > The Mini Bin Program > Benefits and Savings of the Mini Bin Program
Benefits and Savings of the Mini Bin Program
Take 1,000 people using traditional under-the-desk garbage cans and liners along with a deskside recycling container.
Calculations are based on the following:
- The average office worker generates 2.2 pounds of garbage per day.
- The average office worker works 250 days per year.
- Cost of waste disposal is $100.00/ton
- Janitoral savings are based on $9.00/hour/one cleaner, cleaning 350-400 bins per night.
- Under the desk garbage can plastic liners $0.04 per bag, three times a week.
Current Costs
Cost of Tipping Fees
| $100/ton/day (1,000 employees x 2.2 lbs) x 250 days | 
$25,000.00 | |
Cost of Under the Desk Garbage Can Plastic Liners
| $0.04 x 3 per week x 52 weeks (1,000 employees) |
$6,240.00 | |
Janitoral costs to empty Garbage Cans
| 2.5 workers x 8 hours x $9.00/hour x 5 days x 52 weeks |
$46,800.00 | |
| |
Total $78,040.00 | |
Potential Costs when program is implemented
(based on minimum reduction of 50% less garbage)
Cost of Tipping Fees
| $50/ton/day (1,000 employees x 2.2 lbs) x 250 days |
$12,500.00 | |
Cost of Mini Bin Liners
| $0.04 x 1 per week x 52 weeks (1,000 employees) |
$2,080.00 | |
Janitorial costs to empty bins*
| Workers empty their own bins |
$0.00 | |
| Liners for central bins (1 bin for every 15 employees) x $0.04 |
$416.00 | |
| |
Total $14,996.00 | |
Savings: $63,044.00
Average savings per employee $63.04 per head.
*Depending on janitorial contract terms, the savings can be realized immediately through negotiations or the janitors assuming "extra" duties. there will be less savings if the janitors now assume the task of emptying the central collection containers.
Information based on studies from the:
National Office recycling program USA
Environment Canada "No Waste" Program
More Benefits:
- The Mini Bin serves as a constant visual reminder to reduce garbage. On the desk and 'in your face'.
- Very little paper fits into the Mini Bin so people have to change their wasteful habits.
- Successful reduction in garbage and an increase in recyclables will be seen overnight.
- A reduction in garbage means a reduction in tipping fees and transportation costs.
- Increased recyclables can potentially (depending on market conditions and existing recycling contract) lead to increased savings.
- A saving of $50 per person, per year can be possible if janitoral contracts are renegotiated to reflect reduced labour time in not having to empty garbage bins.
- The Mini BIn changes the way people deal with their waste.
- You can use reduced waste and increased recyclables' figures to put together a Public Relations campaign to give a profile of your savings.
The Mini Bin Program is saving a minimum of $50.00 per employee annually when combining:
Reduction on tipping fees;
Savings on garbage can plastic liners;
Savings on janitorial costs.