Self-Service at UMB: Engaging Building Occupants in a New Waste Collection Model

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Office of Sustainability and Environmental Services (EVS) department are in the middle of rolling out a new system for waste collection across the campus. Custodial technicians from EVS will collect mixed plastics, metal, & glass recycling; cardboard and paper recycling; and trash from centrally located common receptacles. Offices operate under a “self-service waste removal model,” meaning that faculty and staff are responsible for bringing their waste to the common receptacles. This session will discuss the planning required to roll out this process improvement initiative, change management strategies employed to engage building occupants, and challenges encountered throughout the project + solutions developed to address them.