For more information contact the Regional District of Nor th Okanagan at or

Transcription

1 ICI Waste Audit Kit Industrial Commercial Institutional Industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors produce more than half the solid waste being disposed of in local landfills. This compromises the environment and burdens business, as waste removal and disposal are increasingly costly. Therefore, an integrated and proactive approach to waste reduction will not only protect the environment it will benefit ICI sectors by saving time and money, and by improving public image. Conducting a waste audit is the necessary first step in any serious attempt to reduce business waste. This kit provides step-by-step instructions on how to perform a waste audit for any type of business, whether large or small. Once you ve completed the audit, you can develop a waste reduction plan that will set a framework for reducing, reusing, and recycling solid waste. For more information contact the Regional District of Nor th Okanagan at or recycle@rdno.ca

2 Why a Waste Audit? Businesses conduct waste audits to determine if diversion programs are necessary and what benefits can be realized. An effective waste audit is the first step toward: Understanding the waste stream Before any diversion program can be designed, you must know what/how much waste material is being produced. Information gathered will provide a baseline about waste materials that can be diverted from disposal. Designing waste diversion programs To be effective, diversion programs must be designed to meet the specific challenges of your company s waste stream and must reflect a solid understanding of the 3R hierarchy of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Managing recyclable waste Once waste has been qualified and quantified and diversion programs have been designed, resulting reduction policies and practices must be managed effectively. To that end, all participants must have a clear understanding of objectives, policies, procedures, employee responsibilities, technical options for handling the waste stream, and progress. Monitoring progress An organized monitoring process will determine if your diversion program is delivering the intended results. You must review your waste stream and diversion practices regularly against base-line information to determine if adjustments are necessary. An effective audit process will answer the following questions: What specific waste is produced and how much is produced? Where in the overall operation is the waste produced? Is any of this waste currently being recycled? Can any of this waste be used in another part of the operation? Do we know of anyone else that can use this waste? Can we produce less of this waste or eliminate it entirely? Will the quantity change with anticipated new business? The user-friendly forms included will help you answer these questions systematically: Form 1: General Business and Waste Audit Information Form 2: Waste Composition Form 3: Materials Recycled or Reused Form 4: Waste Disposal Form 5: Progress Assessment To conduct an effective audit, you must also: Get employees involved. They can provide information about the waste they produce, how to reduce or eliminate it, and how to enable and promote employee participation in the 3R hierarchy. If employees are involved from the beginning of the audit and the development of a diversion strategy, they will be responsible and accountable for the outcome. Understand each operation fully so you can determine if there s a better way to operate. Can you produce less/no waste or produce a better quality waste, making it more readily recyclable or suitable for a value-added product? Understand potential markets and commodity values, government regulations, transporting products, etc. Once programs are designed, there must be an ongoing education program to keep everyone on stream. Solid Solutions: ICI Waste Audit Kit Regional District of North Okanagan

3 Form 1A: General Business and Waste Audit Information *Refer to the back of this page for help in completing this form. 1. General Business Information Name: Address: Phone: Fax: Website: Products or services offered: Number of employees: Number of operations/departments/divisions: Number of operating days per year: 2. General Waste Reduction Information Current recycling coordinator/contact: Current regional or municipal coordinator/contact: Current recycling contractor: Current garbage contractor: Current recycling practices: 3. Waste Audit Coordinator Name: Position: Address: Phone: Fax: 4. Waste Reduction Committee Employee Name Department Address Contact Information 5. Operations included in the Waste Audit Operation Address Contact Person # of Employees 6. Waste Audit Approval The information in this Waste Audit is approved by: Name: Signature: Title: Date of Submission:

4 Form 1B: General Business and Waste Audit Information 1. General Business Information List the name under which you do business in the province of B.C. If the business is owned or controlled by another B.C. company, also supply the name of the parent company. For the products or services offered by your business, provide a general description of the overall business of the company. If your business is diverse, list the major categories. Examples might be: law firm, manufacturer of oak furniture, or grocery store. You should provide sufficient detail to suggest the types of solid waste generated by your business. 2. General Waste Reduction Information The current recycling coordinator should be the person who will serve as the long-term contact on general policy issues related to the reduction and recycling of solid waste. 3. Waste Audit Coordinator List the person with primary responsibility for preparing this audit and the resulting plan the person who can be contacted with questions about the plan. This person may be an employee or a consultant. List the person who will serve as the long-term contact on general policy issues related to the reduction and recycling of solid waste. 4. Waste Reduction Committee Mid-sized to large companies should form a Waste Reduction Committee to coordinate the waste assessment and subsequent reduction and recycling programs. The committee should include people from each operation, most appropriately employees who are most knowledgeable about solid waste. Note the importance of including people from purchasing, finance, administration, shipping/receiving, etc. The Waste Reduction Committee would provide recommendations to management. 5. Operations/Departments/Divisions included in the Waste Audit Categorize the activities of your business in a manner appropriate for preparing a solid waste management plan. Use types and amounts of waste and methods of waste handling as the main criteria for your distinction. If your business activities generate only one general type of solid waste (e.g. corporate office) then you should list only one operation. If your company carries out the same type of operation at facilities in many locations (e.g. a chain of convenience stores), and if you intend to implement the same type of reduction and recycling program at each location, list only one operation. If you have operations which generate different types of waste (whether at the same or different locations) each operation should be listed separately. For example, a business might produce paper and organic waste from its corporate office and wood waste from its manufacturing operation. 6. Waste Audit Approval The person signing the audit and resulting plan should have the authority to certify the accuracy of the information submitted.

5 Form 2A: Waste Composition Name of Operation (complete a separate form for each operation): Include each material produced in this operation that is currently being disposed of as waste. Do not include materials that are recycled currently. To indicate whether entries are measured or estimated, precede each weight entry by: M for measurements E for estimates Material Weight: tonnes/month % of Total Waste Basic Employee Waste Beverage/food containers Metal/glass/plastic Newspaper Washroom (paper) Cafeteria/lunchroom (organics) Basic Non-Process Waste Corrugated cardboard Office paper Pallets/woodwork Gypsum/drywall Scrap metals Appliances, white Tires Yard waste Industry-Specific Process Waste Total Weight in Tonnes/Month

6 Form 2B: Waste Composition To develop options for reducing or recycling, you ll need to know about how much of each recyclable material is present in the waste stream from each operation. As noted on Form 2A, these amounts can be either measured ( M ) or estimated ( E ). Amounts can be: 1) measured directly; 2) calculated from a sample of mixed waste; 3) estimated visually; or 4) estimated from the process. 1) Measured Directly Where a representative weight can be obtained, simply enter that weight in the appropriate blank (Weight in Tonnes/Month). As an example, old corrugated containers (OCC) generated in a receiving room can be weighed for a month when business is operating at an average level. 2) Calculated from a Sample of Mixed Waste Wastes are often mixed together in their generation process. In this case, you may have to do a simple composition study using a representative sample. Firstly, weigh the sample. Secondly, sort and weigh all recyclables in the sample separately. These weights will give the fraction by weight of each material in the waste stream. Weight of a particular material in the waste stream = Fraction by weight of each material in waste stream Total weight of the sample If the weight of the total waste stream is known, the weight to be recorded is the fraction of the material multiplied by the total weight of waste per month. Fraction of the material x total weight of waste per month = Recorded weight If the weight of the total waste stream is not known, you can determine that number by: a) calculating the monthly waste volume, and then, b) converting volume estimates to weight estimates. a) Calculating monthly waste volumes The volume of a waste stream can be calculated from the information reported in Form 4. Take the number of dumpsters you have and multiply by the dumpster size and the number of times they are emptied each month. If a dumpster is not full when it is removed, multiply the average fraction of capacity that is filled when it is removed. Example: Two X 5-cubic yard dumpsters Collected eight times monthly Average fraction filled when collected (0.9) 10 cubic yards of waste 8 X 10 cu. yd. = 80 cu. yd. 0.9 X 80 cu. yd./mo. = 72 cu. yd./mo. b) Converting volume estimates to weight estimates To convert your volume estimate of 72 cu. yd./month to a weight estimate, you would use the following formula: Weight of sample x Volume/month = Total weight/month If, for example, one cubic yard of waste weighs 400 pounds and your business generates 72 cubic yards of waste each month, then: 400 pounds x 72 cu. yd./month = 28,800 pounds or about 15 tonnes/month If your waste is compacted, the result of a calculation based on compactor size must be multiplied by the compaction ratio (usually 4:1) to the uncompacted volume. 8 cu. yd. of compacted waste x 4 = 32 cu. yd. of uncompacted waste 3) Estimated Visually A quick way to get an approximate idea of waste composition is to make a visual inspection of the waste stream and to estimate volume percentages of each material. This method will be useful only to give a preliminary approximation of composition and then, only in cases where there are only a few components in the waste stream. For example, visual inspection of an open roll-off from a construction job suggests it is filled with 50% corrugated, 40% scrap wood, and 10% scrap drywall. These percentages can be used with the total volume of the waste and with the densities to calculate the weights of individual materials.

7 Form 2B: Waste Composition (cont.) Example: 32 uncompacted cu. yd. of mixed waste with 50% corrugated cardboard: cu. yd. x 0.5 = 16 cu. yd. of corrugated cardboard 4) Estimated from Process In some cases, the amount of a particular waste can be estimated by examining the process that creates it. For example, several studies have reported that the average office worker produces between four and seven kilograms of waste office paper per week. This number can be used to give a preliminary estimate of the total office paper waste stream. Materials to be Reported Basic Employee Waste List wastes typically generated by employees through daily business activities. For example: newspapers, beverage containers (metal, glass, plastic), cafeteria (food waste), and washroom wastes (paper towels and facial tissues). Basic Non-Process Wastes List the wastes which are commonly generated by businesses, regardless of the nature of the business or Manufacturing process. Some examples are corrugated cardboard, office paper, pallets, drywall, tires, etc. Industry-Specific Process Waste List each material, whether currently recyclable or not, that is generated as part of your production process. Make sure you include seasonally-generated waste. Remember: The weights you are entering in Form 2 are only for materials you are currently disposing of as waste. Do not include materials you are already recycling. These are reported in Form 3. Complete a separate form for each operation. If your business is subject to seasonal cycles of activity, this should be considered when performing your waste assessment, and noted where appropriate. You might want to conduct several waste assessments throughout the year to get an accurate picture of waste generation. Table of Standard Weights (Approximate) Material Pallet, hardwood Pallet, softwood Paper products (1 cu. yd. container, not compacted) Paper products (1 cu. yd. container, compacted) Paper products (40 cu. yd. container, not compacted) Drum, steel (with lid) Drum, fibre (with lid) Drum, plastic (with lid) Tire, car Tire, truck Weight 13.6 kg 9 kg 45 kg 91 kg 2.26 tonnes 18 kg 9 kg 16 kg 9 kg 45 kg Conversion Factors: 1 kilogram/cubic metre = pounds/cubic yard 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds 1 cubic metre = 1.3 cubic yards

8 Form 3A: Materials Recycled or Reused *Refer to the next page for help in completing this form. List each material that left your business for the purpose of recycling or reuse during a one-year period (many businesses use their fiscal years). You may want to attach additional information outlining in-house or on-site examples of reduction and reuse you have incorporated into manufacturing processes or procurement practices. Operation Material Recycler Start Date Weight/Volume Total List any of the above materials that you have stopped recycling or do not intend to continue recycling during the next year. Explain why recycling was (or is going to be) stopped and give the date when the program ended (or will end). Material Recycler Date ended Explanation

9 Form 3B: Materials Recycled or Reused In this exercise, you will list the materials your business has recycled during the twelve months preceding the date your plan is filed. Record only those materials recycled or reused off-site. That is, scrap steel collected by a scrap dealer should be reported, while scrap lead reused in your operation should not be reported. Also, do not list by-products of your operations which have a high enough value that they can be resold. An example is precious metal dust from a polishing process, which is sent out for reclamation. The following describe column headings on Form 2A: Operation List the area or department in which the solid waste material is generated. Material Give a specific description (e.g. white ledger or mixed office grade not just waste paper). See glossary below for definitions. Recycler List the method by which the material left your facility for recycling or reuse (e.g. collected by Acme Recycling Co., or taken by company truck to recycling depot). Date of Start List the date you began recycling each material. Weight Give the weight in kilograms of that material recycled in the past twelve months, or provide estimates, based on the size of the refuse container (e.g. 4 cubic yards/metres per bin, 2/3 full, collected twice weekly). Total List the total weight of all materials recycled. Glossary Boxboard Coated stock Coloured ledger Computer printout Corrugated cardboard Disposables Glass HDPE (#2) High Grade Paper LDPE (#4) Low Grade Paper Maintenance Waste Mixed Office Paper Mixed Paper NCR Organic Waste PET (#1) PVC (#3) PP (#5) PS (#6) White Ledger Single-walled rigid paper packaging (e.g. cereal and detergent boxes). Smooth, glossy paper treated with clay or plastic to produce a shiny finish. Printed or plain sheets of coloured or white sulphite or sulphate papers with similar fibre and filler content, and that are free of treated, coated, padded or heavily-printed paper, carbon paper, and non-paper materials (e.g. coloured and bond ledger, photocopier paper, carbonless forms and cheques). High-grade paper; white or with bright green bars. (Also known as old corrugated containers or OCC.) Unbleached, unwaxed kraft paper, with ruffled inner layers. Consumer products/packaging that are used once or a few times before being discarded. There are three types of food and beverage glass: brown, green, and flint glass, which is clear and colourless. (High Density Polyethylene) Used for milk jugs, detergent containers, and grocery bags. The symbol for HDPE, found on the underside of containers, is a 2 inside a Mobius loop. Readily-recyclable grades of paper such as CPO, white ledger, etc. (Low Density Polyethylene) Most commonly used in flexible plastic film (e.g. shrink wrap, bread bags, food storage containers). The symbol is a 4 inside a Mobius loop. Lower-quality paper with a lower value on the recycling market (e.g. newsprint, mixed office paper). Waste generated in the course of maintaining a building (e.g. floor sweepings, rags, etc.). Waste paper that has not been separated according to colour or quality. A mixture of various qualities of paper by type or fibre content. Brand name for paper used in carbonless forms. Biodegradable wastes including food scraps, yard wastes, etc. (Polypropylene) A flexible plastic used for small containers, pop bottles, snap-on tops, etc.). (Polyvinyl chloride) Used to make salad and vegetable oil and ketchup bottles, blister-pack bubbles, window frames, pool liners, etc. (Polypropelene) While or coloured. Some yogourt and cottage cheese containers. (Polystyrene) or styrofoam. A plastic used for eating utensils, plates, and clear drinking glasses. White office paper, such as photocopier paper, letterhead, and white notebook paper.

10 Form 4A: Waste Disposal *Refer to the next page for help in completing this form. Complete one of these forms for each waste contract and for waste hauled directly by your company. Name of Hauler: Disposal Containers Compactor Operation Size Number #Collections Per Month % Filled Weight/Volume of Waste(1) Roll-offs Dumpsters TOTAL (2) (1) Although dumpsters are measured in cubic yards, weight should be recorded in metric tonnes. (2) Total weight of all waste (tonnes/month). You needn t use complicated calculations to complete Form 4. All information required should be available from your waste disposal contract or from your waste hauler. Conversion Factors: 1 kilogram/cubic metre = pounds/cubic yard 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds 1 cubic metre = 1.3 cubic yards

11 Form 4B: Waste Disposal In this section, you should describe how you dispose of waste materials. If you have more than one disposal method (e.g. contracts with more than one waste hauler, or if some waste is disposed of under contract while the rest is hauled to the landfill by an employee), you should use a separate copy of Form 3 for each method of disposal. Much of the information required for this form should be available from your disposal contract or your waste hauler. Name of Hauler Provide the name and address of the waste contractor(s) responsible for this portion of your waste stream. If you haul waste yourself, say so, and identify the disposal site. Disposal Containers If you have accurate waste records for all your waste, you can skip the Size and Number columns and enter the Weight. Many companies, however, will not know the weight because they contract for disposal by number and size of containers, not by weight. If this is the case for your business, you should list the following on Form 3: Operation List the area or department in which material is generated (e.g. office, plant). Size List the size in cubic yards of each type of waste container. Number List the number of containers of each size. # of Collections Per Month State how often the waste in the containers is collected. Percent Filled If the containers are sometimes not completely filled when removed, state the average percent filled for that type of container. Weight of Waste in Tonnes From your weight records or those of your hauler; enter weight in tonnes in the appropriate blanks on the forms. Total Total weight of all waste (tonnes/month). You needn t use complicated calculations to complete Form 3. All information required should be available from your waste disposal contract or from your waste hauler.

12 Form 5: Progress Assessment Before doing this assessment, you will have completed Forms 1 through 4 and used the ICI Waste Reduction Planning Kit to develop a waste reduction plan. This exercise can be undertaken periodically to determine your progress toward reduction goals. Waste Type Immediate Actions Follow-up #1 Further Recommendations Boxboard Date: Date: Date: Corrugated Cardboard Glass High-grade paper Low-grade paper Mixed office paper Organic waste