waste in the workplace waste in the workplace keep america beautiful, inc

WASTE IN THE WORKPLACE

Waste In The Workplace

Keep America Beautiful, Inc.


Keep America Beautiful

• National, nonprofit organization

• More than 580 local, state and international affiliates

• Mission: engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving community environment


The Issue:

• 230 million tons of trash are created each year in the U.S.

• Commercial waste is almost ½ of MSW


What Can We Do?

The answer is in: Waste In The

Workplace• Small business waste

audit guide• Developed with the

assistance of the solid waste community


Why Minimize Your Waste?

3 Good Reasons:1. Good for the

Environment 2. Good for Your

Bottom Line3. Good for Public

Relations


The Bottom Line:

Waste minimization will make your business more efficient and competitive.


The KAB Way

• Get the Facts• Involve the People• Develop a Plan• Focus on Results• Provide Positive

Reinforcement


Get the Facts


Involve the People


Develop a Plan


Focus on Results


Provide Positive Reinforcement

http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Vision_for_America_Winner_2008


Waste In The Workplace:The Guide

Commercial Waste OverviewChapter 1: Conducting a Waste

AuditChapter 2: Implementing a Waste

Minimization PlanAppendices


Chapter 1:Conducting A Waste

AuditSelect a waste audit team to begin collecting background information about your current waste status.


Select A Waste Audit Team

• Represent all areas of your business• Team size will vary


The Waste Audit Team• Maintenance• Cleaning• Mailroom• Purchasing• Building Manager• Clerical• Management• Production Line

Include representatives from each area of your business.


Top Management

• Top management must be involved

• Need decision-making authority


The Walk-throughProfile 1

• Inspect where, how and how much materials are being received.

• What is thrown away in each area?


The Trash Sort Profile 2

Sort through the waste generated in one day:

• Spread out a large plastic sheet

• Dump the day’s waste on it • Estimate the % of each

category in the waste stream• Clean up afterwards


Materials Quantification

Profile 2• Identify Waste • Determine the % of the waste

stream represented by each type of waste

• Conduct a trash sort• If waste changes over time, you

may need to repeat the trash sort


Materials Quantification

Profiles 3A & 3B

Purchasing records will help• What products are ordered?• What is used?• What is recycled?• What is left to throw away?


You do the Math

+ Material received

– Material not discarded

– Amount recycled

= Amount of material discarded

(waste you PAY to have disposed)


MSW


Chapter 2:Implementing A Waste

Minimization Plan

Analyze Waste Audit Results• Evaluate source reduction options first• Consider largest % of the waste stream• After considering reduction and reuse

options then, look at recycling options• Start with simple reduction goals


Developing the Plan

• Identify expectations• Identify responsibilities• Establish a timetable• Gather data• Analyze results• Make recommendations


Work Systematically

Consider:• Quantity generated• Probability of success• Regulations or state laws and • Economics (which will cost you the

least to recycle)


Waste reduction is a company-wide effort.

Educate and Inform: all employees, including management, of the plan and its goals.


Ways to raise employee awareness:

Continuous Education • Small Division Meetings• Trainings (production line, copier,

etc.)• Updates • Posters • Mascot


Focus on Results

• Keep good records• Conduct periodic samplings• Measure the waste being diverted

from disposal


Celebrate Your Success

Reward those who make the plan work

• Give recognition to the audit team • Reward suggestions and/or actions • Offer financial incentives


Have a party!


Waste Minimization Tips

• Educate all employees• Gain upper management support• Organize an audit task force • Establish a baseline to measure

progress• Commit to accurate waste accounting • Incorporate a source reduction ethic

into corporate culture • Evaluate the program


Source Reduction and Reuse

The three R’s:•Reduce•Reuse•Recycle•Recycling should be the last of the

three that you do.


Before you commit to a recycling program:

Are you willing to:• Accept initial and on-going costs?• Assign staff to oversee the program

on a long-term basis?• Join forces with a neighboring office

or business, if needed?


Recycling Considerations

Appendix A• Markets• Volume• Security• Equipment• Compostin

g


Commercial Recycling Tips

• Educate and involve all employees• Conduct a Waste Audit• Research Markets (Appendix B)• Identify and contact hauler • Determine space, container, equipment

needs (Appendix C)• Publicize revenues and costs• Purchase materials that can be recycled

locally • Purchase materials that contain recycled

content (Appendix D)


Keys to Success

PERSISTENCE


Waste in the Workplace

waste in the workplace waste in the workplace keep america beautiful, inc

Documents

waste streamafter

waste streamclean

waste auditselect

days waste

waste auditchapter

waste audit teamrepresent

community environment

current waste status