How can you measure your facility's waste generation?

1 Define your waste categories

The first step to measure your waste generation is to define your waste categories and subcategories. Depending on your facility type, size, and activities, you may have different types of waste, such as hazardous, non-hazardous, recyclable, compostable, or reusable. You may also want to break down your waste into more specific subcategories, such as paper, plastic, metal, food, or electronic waste. Defining your waste categories will help you set your waste reduction goals, monitor your progress, and report your results.

2 Conduct a waste audit

A waste audit is a systematic process of collecting, sorting, weighing, and recording your waste over a specific period of time. A waste audit will help you understand the quantity, quality, and composition of your waste, as well as the sources and destinations of your waste. You can conduct a waste audit yourself or hire a professional service. To conduct a waste audit, you will need to prepare some equipment, such as bins, bags, scales, gloves, and labels. You will also need to plan the timing, frequency, and scope of your audit, as well as the data collection and analysis methods.

3 Use a waste management software

A waste management software is a digital tool that can help you measure, manage, and optimize your waste generation. A waste management software can automate the data collection and analysis process, by integrating with your waste containers, sensors, invoices, or reports. A waste management software can also provide you with real-time insights, alerts, and recommendations to improve your waste performance. Some examples of waste management software are WasteHero, Enevo, and WasteLogics.

4 Benchmark your waste performance

Benchmarking your waste performance is a way to compare your waste generation with other similar facilities or industry standards. Benchmarking can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set realistic and achievable targets, and evaluate your progress and impact. You can benchmark your waste performance using different indicators, such as waste generation per unit of output, waste diversion rate, or waste cost per unit of output. You can find benchmarking data from various sources, such as industry associations, government agencies, or sustainability reports.

5 Communicate your waste results

Communicating your waste results is an important step to showcase your achievements, engage your stakeholders, and motivate your team. Communicating your waste results can help you raise awareness, build trust, and foster collaboration. You can communicate your waste results using different channels and formats, such as newsletters, dashboards, posters, or presentations. You can also use storytelling techniques, such as highlighting success stories, challenges, and lessons learned, to make your communication more effective and engaging.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?