Accessible Trash and Recycling Receptacles in the US Forest Service Facilities
Information reproduced from the USDA Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails.
Trash and Recycling Containers at USFS
Trash and recycling receptacles (containers) at US Forest Service (USFS) facilities must meet the requirements in the Forest Service Outdoor Recreational Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG). The graphic on the right is representative of USFS containers.
If containers are provided in a recreation site, connect them to the area’s other major features by an outdoor recreation access route (ORAR). If containers are provided on trails, ensure that routes connecting those containers and the other major constructed features comply with technical requirements for trails rather than ORARs.
In a multi-bin container, only half the bins for each purpose must meet the accessibility requirements. For example, if a trash container has four separate compartments, only two of the compartments are required to meet the technical requirements. But all the bins of a recycling container with four separate bins to collect four different types of recyclable materials must meet the requirements. The graphic above is representative of these requirements.
A clear floor or ground space should be provided that is either 36 inches (914 millimeters) by 48 inches (1,220 millimeters) positioned for a forward approach or 30 inches (760 millimeters) by 60 inches (1,525 millimeters) positioned for a side approach to the receptacle opening at each container. The clear space may overlap the clear space for adjacent containers. The clear space must be adjacent to and may overlap the outdoor recreation access route (ORAR). The slope of the clear space must not be steeper than 1:48 (2 percent) in any direction. When the surface is unpaved or not built with boards, slopes not steeper than 1:33 (3 percent) are allowed if necessary for drainage.
The surface should be firm and stable and made from a material consistent with the setting and level of development. However, if a condition for exception in an alteration project at an existing site prohibits full compliance with a specific requirement for clear floor or ground space (surface, slope, size, or location), the clear floor or ground space only has to comply with requirements to the extent practicable.
Controls and operating mechanisms for containers should comply with the technical requirements for reach ranges and operability specified in ABAAS, sections 308 and 309. An exception is allowed for lids and operating controls designed to deter large animals, such as bears.
Bear Eating from Trash Container at USFS Facility
Safety is a primary concern when it comes to the accessibility of trash and recycling receptacles at facilities managed by the US Forest Service. In bear country, trash and recycling containers should be designed to keep the bears out to minimize contacts between bears and humans. Large animals pose a threat to humans when they become accustomed to wandering through recreation sites in search of food. Most containers equipped with accessible controls and operating mechanisms can be opened by determined bears. For this reason, containers in recreation areas where bears and other large animals pose a risk to humans do not have to comply with accessibility provisions for operating controls until accessible bear-proof containers are available from more than one source. Dumpster type trash and recycling receptacles are not required to comply with the operability requirements.
SUMMARY: With few exceptions, trash and recycling receptacles (containers) at USFS facilities must meet the requirements in the FSORAG. These requirements include clear spaces, surface conditions, and operating parts, unless large animals are a threat in the area.
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