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D.6.6 Accommodating Recycling Activities
It is estimated that the typical office building generates approximately one pound of waste per day for every occupant. Design features encouraging recycling help divert waste from over-burdened landfills. They also save virgin materials and a large component of the energy necessary to process materials into final products. For example, recycling aluminum can save up to 95 percent of the energy used to first produce the aluminum.
Identify the potential waste streams that the facility will produce. Formulate plans to handle the separation, collection, and storage of common recyclable materials such as paper, glass, plastics, and metals. Make the collection points easily accessible to occupants. For example, separate chutes in a multi-story building may be dedicated for the various recyclables. In low-rise buildings, provide at least one collection point on each floor level. Design the loading dock or dumpster area for easy central collection. Identify all recycling needs and facilities during the design phase and incorporate them into the building plans. Making these decisions early can save floor space by avoiding later placement of recycling collection centers after the building is occupied.
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