Tracking the campus waste stream and cost benefits of recycling, is an important component of managing a recycling program.  Tracking the breakdown of the waste stream into garbage, hazardous material, compost and recyclables, is a valuable method for monitoring the efficacy of the program. 

Other information that is valuable to track includes:  revenue generated from recyclables; savings from reuse programs; use of volunteers and academic interns; and cost avoidance from avoiding trash costs.  This information is invaluable in terms of: keeping records for program and campus waste stream monitoring and improvement; legitimizing funding needs; demonstrating success of program, projecting budgets and being able to compare to other colleges.

Utilize tracking mechanisms in reporting to the campus administration and state.  Share and compare this information with other colleges, especially locally, in an effort to assess how well the program is doing.  Review tracking records critically to assess progress, labor needed and areas of potential program improvements.

Tracking is a laborious process and requires a regular time commitment.  Build tracking into a paid position so that one staff member is responsible to maintain the program tracking system.   This is a technical duty.

Creating A Tracking Mechanism

Excel is a good software program to utilize for program tracking.  If possible, create a "program staff" only shared file on the server.  Within that, create a "tracking" folder where all this information can be easily located.  Besides a folder on tracking, this shared file can contain endless folders relating to other valuable program information that staff needs to access.

Here are some tips on creating a template for program waste stream tracking:

*determine what is being tracked and research which areas handle these materials (see template below)

*request copies of all receipts, if necessary provide tally sheets to areas like campus and grounds, the auto shop, in order to keep a record

*track everything in tons, utilize material conversions for other materials (see below)

*track waste reduction through annual comparisons of overall waste generated campus wide, it is impressive to see the results of educational campaigns on recycling and waste reduction, don't forget waste reduction overall saves the college garbage costs (hauling, truck, dump fees, dumpsters)

*track as many separate areas as possible, for example: housing, admin buildings, student union, architecture studios 

*track events waste recovery and reduction

*have a section on garbage totals, recovery rate, waste reduction, hazardous materials

*perform in depth breakdowns and separate charts, the more information that is available, the less work there will be in the future, especially in dealing with charges on services to auxiliaries

*track program labor hours and develop pay codes to identify specific areas and/or materials:  bottles/cans, student union, etc...

*remember to track costs, revenue and cost avoidance (per ton cost of trash including hauling, truck, dump fees, dumpsters, how much would it have cost to throw recyclables in the waste stream, this is a cost avoidance)

*take totals from the master data charts (Excel spreadsheets) to create charts and graphs that reflect various combinations of information:

~general recyclables bar chart with different materials represented in several bars per year

~comparative chart with recyclables vs. garbage

~collective charts reflecting all years of operation

~revenue and cost avoidance charts

~individual program charts (i.e. track monthly savings, yearly totals and long term savings) for reusable office supply exchange, this chart is added insurance that this program will continue

~track areas that are on contract for the program, this will help assess actual charges and give customers a true understanding of service and cost

~track revenue, cost avoidance and savings

This is just an example of the infinite possibilities for creating  an extensive tracking for a campus recycling program.  The more tracking, the better. Spreadsheets, charts and graphs will be an important tool for the success of the program. 

Utilize tracking to internally benchmark the campus recycling program to meet program, university, state and federal goals.

Resources

Environmental Benefits Calculator
http://www.crra.com/nrcfiles/calculator/coverletter.html

EPA Recycling Measurement (for states but you can get ideas)
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/recycle/recmeas/

NRC Source reduction Measurement
http://www.nrc-recycle.org/councils/SRF/measurement.htm

Tracking at the Medical University of South Carolina
http://www.musc.edu/recycle/progress.htm
http://www.musc.edu/recycle/benefits.htm

University of Oregon Campus Recycling Material Tracking
http://www.uoregon.edu/~recycle/PrgmStru_material_text.htm