Zero Waste Central: Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District s School Zero Waste Program. Waste Stream Audit Manual

Transcription

1 Zero Waste Central: Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District s School Zero Waste Program Waste Stream Audit Manual Leading Member Communities to Reduce Waste Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District 137 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT Created By: Gwen Lyons-Baker, School Program Manager

2 Table of Contents Introduction What is a Waste Stream Audit? Why is a Waste Stream Audit important? Waste Stream Audit Steps for CVSWMD School Zero Waste Program Staff Waste Stream Audit Steps for Schools The Waste Stream Audit Time Materials Before the Audit Safety Considerations Conducting the Waste Stream Audit Post-Waste Stream Audit Activities

3 Introduction Welcome to Phase II of the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District s School Zero Waste Program: Waste Stream Audit - Recyclables and Garbage! This phase of the School Zero Waste Program assists schools with taking a closer look at their waste stream. Each school has already done a great job reducing waste through the implementation of the School Composting Program (Phase I). This next phase allows the school to dig deeper in their waste stream to determine if there is anything they can do to reduce the amount of waste they produce. If there are areas that need improvement, CVSWMD School Zero Waste Program staff will work with the school to increase and improve education, signage and available programming. Have fun and good luck! What is a Waste Stream Audit? A waste stream audit is an easy, efficient and organized way of determining what materials (and how much) are being thrown away. During a waste audit, garbage and recycling from one day is collected and sorted into categories (typically: recyclable materials, compostable materials, reuse, and true trash ). The weight and volume of each category is recorded. After the audit is completed, the results will be reviewed to see if there are any pieces of the waste stream that could be improved (recycling, composting) or reduced (true trash) in any way. Why is a Waste Stream Audit Important? Waste stream audits are important because all waste that s thrown into the garbage in a central Vermont school will go to one of two landfills in Vermont (Coventry or Moretown landfills). According to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermonters generate approximately 600,000 tons of trash per year. This equates to almost one ton of trash per person every year! Through reuse and recycling, Vermonters kept about a third of these materials out of the landfill in Getting schools involved in the waste reduction effort will not only teach students to be become better citizens, but help keep Vermont s environment clean. After analyzing the results of the waste stream audit, schools can determine what areas they need to focus on reducing waste. Schools can reduce waste through increased recycling, reuse and bulk purchasing. By reducing waste, schools cannot only help Vermont s environment, but they can often save money as well. A waste stream audit is also a great learning experience for students.

4 Waste Stream Audit Steps CVSWMD School Zero Waste Program Staff Step 1: Set up initial informational meeting with school Administrators, maintenance staff, interested teachers and students (student group) Waste stream audit presentation o What is a waste audit? o Why should your school participate in a waste stream audit? o What will the waste audit look like? Pre-Audit questionnaire give to student group/faculty advisor to complete with school staff Step 2: Set date for waste stream audit Recruit student, faculty and staff volunteers to help Step 3: Conduct Waste Audit Step 4: Compile and Analyze Results Using photos and recorded information, fill out report card Step 5: Waste Stream Report Card Easy to read/understand Include all necessary data/photos Compile suggestions for school Step 6: Present Waste Audit Results and Suggestions to School Gather same group of administrators, maintenance, kitchen staff, teachers and students If possible, make presentation to entire student body. Step 7: Follow-up Work with faculty to implement educational programs, etc Check in throughout the year to see if school has implemented any of the suggestions Has maintenance seen a change in trash or recycling streams? Has school been able to change/adjust waste hauling rates by negotiating with the waste hauler because of reduced trash?

5 Waste Stream Audit Steps School Students, Faculty & Staff Step 1: Set up initial informational meeting with CVSWMD School Zero Waste Coordinator Invite administrators, maintenance staff, interested teachers and students (student group) Pre-Audit questionnaire complete with students/student group prior to waste stream audit Step 2: Set date for waste stream audit Recruit additional student, faculty and staff volunteers Decide how to present results to school o Are students going to walk through sorting area guided tour? o Will there be an assembly immediately after the audit or at a later date? o What information do you want to share with the student body? Step 3: Conduct Waste Audit Step 4: Meet with CVSWMD School Zero Waste Coordinator Discuss waste stream audit report card Discuss next steps increased education, new programming, etc Step 5: Present Waste Audit Results and Suggestions to School Work with CVSWMD School Zero Waste Coordinator to create presentation (or do it on own) Gather same group of administrators, maintenance, kitchen staff, teachers and students If possible, make presentation to entire student body. Present results, suggestions and ideas for increased education, programming, etc. Step 7: Follow-up Work with CVSWMD to implement educational programs, etc Work toward implementing new programs and suggestions Keep in contact with maintenance staff- Has maintenance seen a change in trash or recycling streams? Work with maintenance and administration staff - Has school been able to change/adjust waste hauling rates by negotiating with the waste hauler because of reduced trash?

6 The Waste Stream Audit Time: Approximately 3-4 hours +/- (dependent on size of school) Materials (amount dependent on # of helpers*): Gloves*- rubber or garden reusable gloves Jumpsuit/Boots*- (to cover clothing) (2-4)Blue ground tarps (to empty bags of trash on) Trash Bags (to re-bag trash) Recycling Bins Buckets/boxes (to separate out food/liquids and recyclables) Clipboard/audit sheets/pen* Digital camera (document for final report) Scale (weigh waste) Signs for each category (trash, compost, recycling, reuse) Before the Audit: Make sure maintenance staff knows when the audit is happening so they can set aside trash and recycling collected from the day before (Be sure that they know to keep bathroom and nurses room trash separate). Work with maintenance staff to find appropriate place to conduct the waste audit (preferably indoors, or under a covered area). Check to see if there are any additional teachers or students who are interested in assisting with the waste audit. Safety Considerations: Wear closed toed shoes preferably sneakers or boots. Once trash bags are opened always where gloves. Do not handle bathroom waste, or waste from the nurses office. o Estimate amount of waste without opening the bags. Conducting the Waste Stream Audit: 1. Using the waste audit form, record where the waste was collected from (if it can be determined; classroom, office, cafeteria, etc.). 2. Weigh each bag of trash record total weight of trash collected. 3. Empty the contents of each bag onto a tarp and sort into waste categories (compost, recycling, reuse, true trash). 4. Take notes on what items are found in the trash more often- paper, plastic bottles, food, etc. 5. Write down any and all observations that may help the school. 6. Weigh sorted categories recycling, reuse, and compost subtract from total to get weight of true trash. 7. When all the waste has been separated into categories, recorded, weighed, the volume has been estimated and each category has been documented on paper and with the camera; begin cleaning up. a. Re-bag all trash b. Sort recyclables into recycling bin c. Wash tarp and buckets, sweep floor

7 Post-Waste Audit Activities: 1. Complete all calculations on waste audit form- graph schools waste by volume, weight, or trash make-up. 2. Fill in school s report card. 3. Create a plan for the school based on findings. 4. Share the results with the school. 5. Assist school with implementing suggested changes.