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Each
year, Americans throw away over 150 million tons of trash. Per capita
waste generation in the United States is twice that of any other country
and the amount of garbage produced is rising. The Environmental Protection
Agency estimates that within five years, one-third of all landfills in
the nation will reach capacity. The proliferation of waste can be attributed
to the growing use of packaging, convenience items, and disposable products.
Campuses generate large quantities of waste, much of which can be recycled,
reused, or composted. Waste
audits are one of the most valuable tools for college recyclers to help ide There are many types of waste audits: a general dig in the garbage to get a true picture of the waste stream (this can be select streams such as identifying food waste in food service areas or to see how many paper towels are thrown away that could be composted); sample waste audits to get an idea of the waste composition; in a smaller fashion for educational purposes. How To Conduct A Campus Solid Waste Stream Analysis Conducting a waste stream analysis will provide a good snapshot of waste composition on a campus. The waste stream analysis is also important for designing an integrated waste management plan that promotes reduction, reuse, and recycling. The timing of the study is important. Try to do the waste analysis during a time that reflects the average level of campus activity (mid-semester or quarter, and mid-week). Remember that the time of year will also effect the results of your research. For example, more yard waste will be generated in spring and fall than in winter.
Do a Trial Waste Audit: Prior to the actual audit, conduct a preliminary audit, using a small sample of garbage (five bags, for example). This will help determine the appropriate waste categories and will improve the methodology. Collecting Garbage: Randomly collect at least five bags or more of garbage from dumpsters at each one of your campus regions prior to the daily waste pick-up. Label the bags according to the collection point. Calculate Weight and Volume: Once all of the garbage has been transferred to the sorting site, calculate the total weight and volume collected from each region before beginning to sort. Remember to weigh the sorting containers. Carefully sort each bag of garbage into categories. Once the sorting for one region is completed, weigh your containers of material (subtracting the actual weight of the container itself) and note the figures. The volume (V) can be measured using the height (H) and radius (R) of the waste in the container (V=2pRH). Waste Categories: Sort waste into the following categories below. Categories can be expanded to reflect a more detailed analysis of recyclable waste. For example, the technology exists to recycle steel-plated tin cans, phone books, and lower grades of paper, however, there may not be existing markets for these materials in the area. The following list will give a basic guideline for the different categories: White paper, Plastics, Colored paper, Glass, Computer paper, Metals, Low Grade paper, Drink Boxes, Newspaper, Corrugated cardboard, Magazines & Books, Food Waste.
Using the Information: If the total amount of waste that a particular area generates is unknown, represent figures as a percentage. For example, newspaper represents about 15 percent of the waste generated from the food service area on campus. If the total weight of all food service wastes is known, multiply that percentage by the total weight to estimate the total amount of each waste category. It is important to use both weight and volume figures because weight figures can be misleading. For example, spilled liquids can make paper, particularly newspapers, weigh significantly more than normal. Only a small amount of the total campus waste stream can be analyzed in a single day, use the figures conservatively. This will provide important information about the general types and quantities of waste the campus generates. Also, get the campus newspaper to cover the event, it’s a great photo opportunity! Example Collection Tally Sheet Building: ________________________________________________ Total Weight: _____________________________________________ Type of Facility: ___________________________________________ Total Volume: ____________________________________________
This can also be done in other groupings such as: paper, kitchen recyclables, bottles and cans. Waste audits in public areas are great for educational purposes. An example of this is to take a sample of 3 bags of garbage from 5 buildings on campus and perform a sort in a public area. This sampling could be used for public awareness and media attention. Get the results published. Variations Food Waste Audits These are done to assess food and napkin waste generated in dining halls. This works best with food service areas in residence halls. Generally, enlist a team to monitor the audit that should be done during a meal. Create informational table tents that students can read while they eat. This information should include an announcement of the event and hopefully some statistics and tips on reducing post consumer food and napkin waste (Take what you need, you can always go back for more!). Have barrels and volunteers, stationed in front of all of the entrances/exits for the dish room. Label the bins: food waste, napkin waste, trash. Help people sort into these containers before placing dishes in the dishwasher. At the end of the meal, weigh all of these bags and formulate a report for the cafeteria. Consider per meal/per day etc....when this is added up, it will provide good information to support a food and napkin waste reduction campaign including educational activities and potentially composting. This info. can also be used to do a cost benefit analysis for handling material as waste versus recycling. Mini-Waste Audit as a Presentation Tool Another idea is to take an office type garbage can and fill it with things found in an office. For the presentation, have 4 boxes labeled: reduce, reuse, recycle, trash. Pull each item out of the can and get the audience to interact on which category these would fit. For example: a paper cup. The audience would ideally say cup waste can be reduced if reusable mugs are used instead of a disposable. This exercise is good to get people used to thinking of the 3 R’s as they go about their day. Analysis Things to think about: How much solid waste is generated on campus? What is the composition of campus waste? Who is in charge of solid waste disposal contacts? Do different entities on campus (e.g. fraternities, sororities, residence halls, medical center) have separate contracts with waste haulers or is the entire campus covered under one contract? What are the total costs of disposal per year, the cost per ton, and the disposal fee structure? How much have those costs increased in recent years? Where does campus garbage go? How much is land filled, incinerated, recycled, and composted? Does the campus have a recycling program? If so, what is the current percentage of materials removed from the waste stream? Does the recycling program generate any revenue? Is the program run by students or the university administration? Does the city operate a recycling program? Is it voluntary or mandatory? What percentage of the total waste stream is yard waste? This figure can vary between 10% and 40% or more. Are landscape clippings mixed with or separated from other campus wastes? Does the campus use landscape clippings as compost or mulch? What programs exist on campus to promote source reduction and reuse in order to reduce the quantity of waste generated? How does the campus compare to other institutions? To Gain Perspective, Get Information: To
get an idea of what is in the campus waste stream, conduct a campus waste stream analysis that is described in the beginning of this chapter. Contact facilities
maintenance department for information about garbage volumes, costs, collection
processes, and disposal contracts. Specific contract arrangements may
be the responsibility of the purchasing office. Talk with representatives
from the waste hauling company. They also will have information about
waste costs, quantities, and collection procedures. Custodial staff are
also a valuable source of information. Contact facilities to find out
who is responsible for landscape maintenance in order to obtain information
on yard waste and composting. Food Service managers can provide information
regarding the use of plastic, polystyrene, paper and other disposable
service ware in campus cafeterias. Contact the community’s Public Works
department, local recycling centers, environmental groups, and the state
solid waste management board for information about local and state solid
waste disposal issues. Contact the campus and local community newspaper(s)
for the volume of newsprint distributed on campus. Source Reduction and Reuse: A successful waste management policy supports a resource-conserving hierarchy: source reduction, reuse, composting, and recycling first, waste-to-energy incineration, and land filling last. Encourage food services to sell reusable mugs, allowing a discount on coffee and cold beverages. Use permanent ware in food services or reusable plastic ware when possible. Offices can reuse corrugated cardboard, file folders, interdepartmental envelopes, and other office supplies. Establish photocopying guidelines that encourage the use of half-sheets and double-sided copies. Recycling: A campus-wide recycling program, supported and managed by the administration and students, should include an extensive system of source separation for a variety of materials (white and colored bond paper, computer paper, glass, aluminum, recyclable plastics, corrugated cardboard). The program must target students, staff, faculty, and visitors and should not rely solely on voluntary labor. Composting and Mulching: Yard wastes and some kitchen wastes can be composted and used as mulch on campus or sold to landscaping businesses off-campus. Resources A Guide to Waste Audits and Reduction Work Plans for Industrial, Commercial
and Institutional Sectors OCCSB EAC Waste Audits California Integrated Waste Management Board Waste
Stream Profiles Harvard Waste Audit Report |
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ntify what is being generated. This is an important starting point
for identifying what materials to think about recycling before searching
for markets. Waste audits are useful for: demonstrating the need for creating
a recycling program; doing cost benefit analysis of trash vs. recycling;
creating awareness; gaining PR for recycling efforts and also for use
as a public education tool. 