Refuse, Recycling and External Service Areas
Design considerations and awareness
External refuse and recycling storage should be accessible and usable for all staff, while being inaccessible to children. An accessible path should be provided from the refuse and recycling area to the public road to ensure easy transfer of bins for roadside collection. The storage of tools, maintenance equipment, or gardening materials should also be accessible and within easy reach for staff. Taking this approach to all external storage and service areas will enable staff to work safely, effectively and comfortably regardless of age, size or ability.
It is important to locate these areas away from children’s spaces to eliminate contact with dangerous objects or hazardous materials. This will also reduce the impact of noise from bin movement or the use of tools, while minimising odours from refuse or materials such as paints or cleaning fluids. All doors or gates to these areas should be safely locked to prevent access by children.
27. External refuse and recycling area, Waterford Childcare Centre, Waterford City
External refuse and recycling area, Waterford Childcare Centre, Waterford City.
Design features
Refuse and recycling area enclosed with secure wire fence to prevent access by children.
Wire fence balances security with visual access from outside.
Generous amount of space provided within the storage area for manoeuvring bins and other large items.
Lighting fixtures to side wall to provide artificial lighting when required.
Planting along fence helps to soften its appearance.
Technical sketch 7: Indicative plan showing external refuse, recycling and storage area
A. Easy access from utility or kitchen area.
B. 1500mm clear space for wheelchair turning circle.
C. 1000mm deep storage space for wheelie bins.
D. Storage area can be fitted with roof and doors to provide greater visual screening and enclosure if required.
E. 900-1000mm clear opening to boundary gate or door to provide easy movement of wheelie bins and other large items or equipment.
F. A short and direct route to the roadside refuse and recycling collection point.
Note: Specific guidance for outdoor toys, play materials, or play equipment is provided in Section 3 as this type of storage is directly associated with outdoor play areas.
Universal Design Guidance
- Provide external refuse/recycling areas and service or storage areas in a location where they are easy to locate, accessible and easily used by all staff.
- The location of these areas should be removed from children’s space to minimise potential adverse impacts from dangerous objects, noise, or strong odours.
- Ensure there is sufficient space for storage while also allowing adequate manoeuvring space for all users.
- Provide doors that are easily opened, accessible, and fitted with usable locks and latches so they are accessible for all staff. At the same time doors should restrict access by children.
- Ground surfaces providing access to these areas should be smooth, flat and even, use materials that are non-slip, non-glare, and avoid strong patterns or sharp tonal or colour contrast.
- Provide high levels of evenly distributed artificial lighting on approach to the refuse or storage area (and internally if applicable) to ensure these areas are safe and comfortable to use, and accessible in low light conditions.
