Expanding Zero Waste Pop-ups with a Fourth Bin
Over the last year, our signature Zero Waste Pop-ups have been expanding! In addition to being at more events and physical locations, Race to Zero Waste has begun the implementation of a “Fourth Bin” at our Zero Waste Pop-ups! The Fourth Bin is the reuse bin! We are, of course, continuing outreach and education in traditional waste sorting with our original three-bin system: compostables, recyclables, and landfill. This new focus on community-building and reuse helps us further communicate the message of the zero waste movement.
The First Fourth Bin
Our first Fourth Bin was implemented at Ocean Beach in February 2021 in collaboration with Richmond District Rising to benefit Project Homeless Connect.
The Ocean Beach Zero Waste Pop-up received 50 volunteers for the beach clean-up and 20 cars for the donation drop-off. We removed 175 pounds of CRV, clothing, e-waste, hazardous waste, compostable items, microplastics, and other landfill items from the Ocean Beach area. Thanks to the success of our pilot, we received a 2021-2023 grant from the San Francisco Department of the Environment (SFE) to continue this work and expand our reach.
What’s the Fourth Bin for?
The Fourth Bin is used to collect gently-used items for donations to community groups like HealthRight 360 and Project Homeless Connect. We have collected things like working chargers, backpacks, and coats to support our neighbors in need. We have also used the Fourth Bin to collect canned goods as donations. R20W is dedicated to creating partnerships and fostering community involvement to make reuse convenient and accessible for all.
Race to Zero Waste has also used the Fourth Bin to promote the use of durables. We have collaborated with Dispatch Goods to be a collection point for their takeout containers in order to make drop-off more convenient for clients. This way, we encourage people to use DG reusable containers instead of single-use packaging.
Our Zero Waste Pop-ups help us engage the public with our campaigns, including #Ditch6. #Ditch6 asks folks to switch to reusable cups instead of hard-to-recycle #6 plastics like red Solo cups. With the Fourth Bin, we can engage passers-by in discussing reuse and the importance of using durable goods.
What’s the motivation behind the Fourth Bin?
As part of Race to Zero Waste’s mission to reduce waste upstream, we are emphasizing the importance of reuse as a key solution to waste issues. We continue to divert waste from landfill using the three-bin system of compostables, recyclables, and landfill. While these allow us to recover important resource material at events and in public spaces, we want to add the zero waste principle of reuse to our Zero Waste Pop-ups. Sometimes that looks like donation drives of gently-used items, and sometimes it’s collaborating with Dispatch Goods or other durables providers!
Reuse helps reduce the need for raw materials and helps extend the useful life of items that would otherwise be sent to landfill. This is particularly important for the issues of textile and e-waste. We are in the beginning stages of implementing the Fourth Bin and are always looking for more community partners who could benefit from the collection of gently-used items. Get in touch to collaborate!
As of July 2022, we’ve collected more than 250 pounds of goods to reuse and support our community partners!
How can I participate?
Each donation drive is different, as we want to support community organizations with their most current needs. Sometimes we are looking for specific items to fulfill partners’ needs.
Our next Fourth Bin will be out at the Jerry Day celebrations at McLaren Park Saturday, August 13th! We will be collecting chargers and travel-sized hygiene products to benefit Project Homeless Connect. Have old working chargers? Bring ’em over! Have a gift of soap or body wash someone gave you that you never opened? Let someone else enjoy it!
Be sure to follow us on social media @racetozerowaste to find out when and where the next Fourth Bin will be!
