The pandemic has changed how employees at UCSF work, as many telework from home offices while those who come to campus navigate changing protocols and daily health screenings.
Nowhere is that more evident than with the custodial staff. Because of the pandemic, it takes approximately six full-time employees more than 2,000 hours per year to meet the cleaning and disinfecting requirements to keep the UCSF community safe.
“We have allocated approximately 12,480 hours towards cleaning and disinfecting,” said Billy Reynoso, interim general services director for Facilities Services.
This is a major reason Facilities Services is now providing daily waste, recycling and compost removal only in common areas such as kitchens, restrooms, conference rooms, lactation rooms, labs and main corridors. It’s estimated that prior to the pandemic, custodians spent approximately 8,000 hours per year picking up deskside trash.
“These changes in service reflect our priority to the overall safety and wellbeing of the UCSF community and meet the demands for more enhanced cleaning during daytime hours,” said Felipe Rubio, assistant director of UCSF Facilities Services. “Our updated cleaning guidelines are in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH).”
Rubio said areas such as personal offices, private conference rooms, cubicles, desks, and huddle rooms, are not serviced as part of the Facilities Services Centralized Waste Disposal Program. If you have deskside bin, make a point of taking it to your common area once a day where your waste is picked up, and sort it there.
“We offer the option to request deskside waste bins free of charge, however, building occupants are responsible for sorting deskside waste into the larger waste receptacles in centralized locations,” he said.
Building occupants are encouraged to only dispose of dry materials in the deskside waste bins. Any items that could cause odors or leave residue should be disposed of in the larger waste receptacles found in the common areas such as kitchens. For soiled bins, a recharge request can be made by submitting an online service ticket at myFS.ucsf.edu. If you are unsure how to sort your waste, visit https://zerowaste.ucsf.edu to learn more.
As more people return to campus, the Recycling and Waste Reduction team is constantly reassessing each building to make sure there is adequate capacity for the numbers of employees and learners in each area. “We will adjust the level of service as needed so an acceptable level of service is provided,” Rubio said.
If you are unsure if your area has been assessed, you can email recycling@ucsf.edu to request an assessment.
If you need additional information, you can view a PowerPoint on the new model or two virtual meetings recorded in 2020. You can also contact specific Facilities Services members at the emails below.
PowerPoint Presentation on Day Shift Cleaning Model
Zoom Recording – Friday Oct. 23, 2020
Zoom Recording – Monday, Nov. 2, 2020
Daniel Chau, Recycling and Waste Reduction Program Manager (Daniel.Chau@ucsf.edu).
Felipe Rubio, Custodial Services Assistant Director ((Felipe.Rubio@ucsf.edu)
Billy Reynoso, Interim General Services Director (Billy.Reynoso@ucsf.edu)
