Module 1: Solid Waste Reduction
- Overview
- Gathering Information
- Identifying Opportunities
- Planning Your Program
- Program Implementation
- Resources
Planning Your Program
When the team has decided which materials to target and what types of activities are feasible, the next step is to develop your waste management/reduction program. The team should hold one or more meetings to decide on the following:
Goals
What are your overall goals for the program? For example:
- “X” number of tons of waste reduced
- “X” amount of dollars saved in waste-removal costs
- “X” percent participation rate in program
Be sure to include in the goals discussion how you will measure success—building-wide surveys, waste sorts, visual inspection of Dumpsters, review of records, etc.
Tasks and responsibilities
What specific tasks need to be carried out to meet your goals and who has the responsibility for completing each task? For example:
- Conducting an educational campaign
- Developing internal marketing materials
- Holding program orientations
- Purchasing recycling containers
- Holding a kick-off event
- Creating forms for documenting your progress
Timeline
When would you like to see the tasks and goals completed? Sometimes it’s helpful to work backward. Decide when you want to kick off the program and then what needs to be done in advance. Think realistically and give everyone enough time to complete the tasks assigned before kick-off.
Measurements
What measurements will be used to track your progress? The answer will depend on your program. For example:
- Amount of waste going to the landfill
- Amount being recycled
- Percentage of office supplies ordered that contain recycled content
- Level of contaminants in recycling bins
- Number of employees taking part in a ROSE (reusable office supplies and equipment) system
Some measurements will be quantitative and others qualitative. Both are valid.
How often will measurements be taken? Who will take them? This job can rotate among Green Team members, but it’s important that all are using the same techniques and measuring the same things.
Recording
Who will be responsible for maintaining the paperwork? The person taking the measurements is probably the person who should have possession of the records. Having one notebook for documentation and preprinted forms on which to record the measurements will make the task easier.
Reporting
How will you report the measurements to the rest of the business? For example:
- Monthly emails
- Company newsletter
- Post flyers on common bulletin boards
- Reports during regular staff meetings
Modifying
How will you decide when to modify the program if it doesn’t appear the goals will be met? Who will make this decision? This step is closely aligned with what goals you’ve set, what your timeline is, and how often you’re taking measurements. You’ll need to judge how long it’ll take before the program begins showing results, but not wait until a small problem turns into a big handicap you can’t easily overcome.
Here’s where the program monitors are essential. If you have several pairs of eyes and ears that can look at the operational elements of the program and listen to the comments of their fellow workers, you will stand a better chance of detecting any early problems. The program’s coordinator has the job of communicating with company managers and the property manager to make sure support from the top does not waiver.