Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important, there is never a day goes past without news about a pressing environmental management issue. This raises an awareness of the need to take our environmental impact seriously and minimize the effect on the environment as a whole.

In the current economic climate, you might be forgiven for thinking that cutting out process inefficiency and waste minimization should be high up on the business agenda. Sadly, an increase in environmental awareness does not necessarily translate into action across the wider business sector.

Ethical responsibilities notwithstanding, businesses are coming under increasing pressure through education and intervention programs to take more responsibility for the waste they produce and to implement policies and practices which aim to reduce, reuse and recycle as much waste as practicably possible.

Presently, waste data is collated by the Environmental Agencies and annually published waste statistics reveal how effectively the UK is performing regionally and as a whole against legally binding European Directive landfill targets. In 2011, the UK recycled around 40% of its household waste, the remainder (residual waste) was either buried in landfill or incinerated.

The legislative framework has resulted in environmental regulations and intervention / education programs that have helped to reduce the environmental impact of landfill and incineration however, these practices continue to pose a significant threat to our environment.

Managing and auditing waste is well established in the public sector and within many larger private sector organizations, it is not commonplace across the wider business waste sector. Auditing waste is not only good practice, it is a proven method of reducing business costs and cutting out process inefficiency.

The task of undertaking a waste audit can sometimes seem daunting - the devil, as ever, is in the detail. Fundamentally, the effectiveness of a waste audit comes down to good planning. The better the plan, the more manageable and meaningful the task and subsequent waste management strategy.

The waste audit normally comprises four key stages;

STAGE 1: SCOPING THE AUDIT

This is the most critical stage in the audit process. There is a common misconception that once data gathering has commenced it will be easier to scope the audit as more information becomes available. This invariably leads to a lack of direction and information overload or an inadequacy of data.

Either situation is undesirable and the basis of poor decision making, inefficiency and missed opportunities. It is critical to establish the who, why, what and where of waste auditing right from the outset;

• who are the key stakeholders?

• who has an interest in the outcomes ?

• who will impact on the outcomes ?

• who may input to the process ?

Key stakeholders need to be involved from the outset. This is essential to ensure that;

• there is corporate support ?

• staff have been clearly briefed ?

• there is an understanding of the resource commitment to carry out the project as well as the potential benefits ?

• there is an understanding of the likely impact that the audit will have across the business - on production personnel, cleaners, waste contractors, maintenance, etc….

• what resources are required to assist in the waste audit process ?

Once you have a basis for the audit, you need to process it efficiently and be clear about why you are conducting the audit. For example do you simply want to ensure compliance with regulations or reduce business operating costs through waste reduction ?

Regulatory compliance can involve a simple desktop review of the business process and documented procedures followed up by a visual audit.

WHAT will you audit ?

Deciding what to sample is critical in order to ensure that cost and savings projections are accurate. It is important to take a discreet waste composition sample capable of being clearly defined in terms of all inputs and normal operating parameters.

A 24-hour sample of the total waste composition, including recycled material generated by a business, is advisable. This allows you to;

• relate the quantity of waste generated to productive hours per unit or operator

• extrapolate the data and validate the sample against historical waste data

Identifying the scope of the project and sample size will also allow you to determine what equipment and resources you may need to conduct the audit. A physical audit of the whole waste stream will require far more resources than a visual inspection and desktop review.

WHERE will you carry out the audit ?

While auditing on-site is convenient, it can present hazards that need to be addressed;

• The audit should not be conducted near environmentally sensitive areas or near storm water drains or other water ways, in case of spills.

• Ensure your audit site is in an area free from vehicle and personnel movements

• The audit site should be sheltered from the elements and large enough to hold the entire waste sample

STAGE 2: SAFETY

A waste audit can be a hazardous process and requires careful planning to ensure the safety of those conducting the audit and the safety of the environment.

Before starting a waste audit, you should conduct a risk assessment to ensure all precautions are taken. The following are examples of the types of issues that should be considered in a risk assessment;

• hazards associated with the waste itself

• the weight, volume or density of material and equipment

• the audit site and process

• storage and movement of the waste

• surrounding environment.

STAGE 3: THE AUDIT PROCESS

There are a number of different types of audit. Each delivers different outcomes and requires different resource levels. The two key stages of the audit are analysis of the waste sample and site analysis.

Waste analysis

The audit should provide enough detail to allow you to move back up the process chain to identify the principle reasons for the waste being generated.

What should be recorded

The waste should be analyzed by process, by item as well as material. Production waste should be broken down into;

• raw material waste

• process waste

• package product waste

Each will have a different value as material passes through the process and may be generated for different reasons.

Use clear waste categories to ensure traceable and meaningful results. A more detailed description will underpin the estimated cost of waste. Gathering the data involves establishing;

• the inputs and outputs relating to the process

• why waste is being generated and what is regarded as a waste product

• what can be re-used or recycled

How to measure

At a basic level, each waste category should be recorded by weight, volume and quantity;

• Weight is a precise measure that will allow for accurate extrapolations. Weight measurements will allow accurate cost savings in terms of waste disposal to be estimated.

• Volume is an indicator of the systems that will be required to contain, transport and consolidate waste on-site.

• Quantity is a straightforward measure of the amount of waste being generated by category.

Site waste analysis

The actual data obtained from a waste analysis is of no particular use in itself. Knowing that X kg of packaging is rejected in plant Y during the shift Z provides only limited value. The value of the audit is in the simple task of asking why the waste is being produced in the first place.

The site analysis is often the first time anyone has consulted an operator and sought their input or opinion. It may involve a number of processes including;

• detailed review of site operations; observing what actually happens within each element of the business activity as opposed to what should be happening

• talking to employees about their operations and waste – for example, establishing why there is a rejection rate and holding focused group sessions to consider the process

Often the real reason for waste being generated is complex and will normally involve the interaction of a number of business activities, work units and sections. Bringing all parties together and discussing the findings of the audit can quickly identify the core issues.

Awareness of the dynamics of the organization will allow these to be managed within the process. Implementation of the waste audit recommendations can be a powerful staff motivator. Engaging staff in the process not only gives them a sense of ownership it ensures that practical solutions are identified.

STAGE 4: DEVELOPING THE ACTION PLAN

So you’you have completed the audit. What do you do with the data and which area will you address first ?

The first step in the data analysis is to validate the data. It is dangerous to use the audit data as a basis for action unless it has been validated;

• Ensure that the sample composition is representative of the activities covered

• Establish how it relates to the process

• Consider process shut down and maintenance activities

• Compare the audit findings to historical data

• State all assumptions and findings

Once complete, begin the waste analysis;

• Summarize the process

• Summarize the actual types of waste found

• Summarize the audit data into tables and graphs

• Review all information and data to ensure interpretations are accurate

• Refer back to the scope of the audit and why it was conducted

The analysis, as a minimum, should address the scope fully, ensuring stakeholders are satisfied and the implementation of the action plan can proceed with full support.

Implementing the action plan

The process is the same for all organizations. It consists of one primary action - engage and educate staff.

Developing a waste minimization strategy and management plan based on the findings of the waste audit and data analysis is relatively straightforward. However, in order for it to be sustainable, staff must embrace the plan and take ownership of the actions.

Presenting the results of the waste audit to staff is a critical first step in the education program. The site waste management plan and policy should then be embedded throughout the organizations policies, processes and procedures.

In short, a good waste management policy and plan should;

• Clearly state the issues

• Contain agreed actions to address the issues

• Assign responsibilities to key stakeholders

• Contain agreed targets and deadlines for actions

• Set targets and identify performance indicators

• Set out an agreed monitoring and review process

If you are serious about finding the most efficient and cost effective method of dealing with your business waste and minimizing your environmental impact, start thinking about a waste audit today.