Waste Assessment Training for Businesses

Waste Assessment Training for BusinessesAustin Resource Recovery, City of AustinScott Pasternak, SAIC Energy, Environment, and InfrastructureSeth Cunningham, STC Consulting Aiden Cohen, Austin Resource Recovery

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Agenda

9:00 am

Introductions and Importance of Business Waste Reduction

9:30 am Introduction to Business Waste Assessment 11:00 am

Networking Lunch

11:30 am

Local Business Panel

12:30 pm

Case Studies

1:00 pm Concluding Remarks

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Importance of Business Waste Reduction

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What is Zero Waste?

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Zero Waste is a visionary goal that reduces consumption, minimizes waste, maximizes recycling and ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled.Success means diverting:

• 50% of materials from disposal by 2015• 75% by 2020• 90% by 2040

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City of Austin’s Zero Waste Goal

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Whose Business is Picking Up

Hauler Tons/Year %City of Austin 360,500 25%

Private Sector 976,100 68%

Self hauled 108,700 7%Total 1,445,300 100%

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Based on information from CAPCOG, Regional Solid Waste Management Plan 2002

Discards

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Single-Stream: Efficient Materials Management

Several Austin-area single-stream Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

– Customer: Fewer bins inside & out– “Right-size” landfill trash service to reduce cost– Simple and convenient: No need to separate glass, paper, metal– Hauler: Fewer trucks needed for collection– Next steps: 3-bin system for recycling, composting, and landfill

trash

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Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) Affected Properties

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Affected Property TimetableEffective

DateOffice Buildings &

Institutions (sq. ft. of floor area)

Multi-Family Properties(dwelling units)

2012 More than 100,000 More than 752013 More than 75,000 More than 502014 More than 50,000 More than 252015 More than 25,000

• Affected commercial properties

• Commercial office buildings• Medical facilities• Religious buildings• Private educational facilities

• Affected multi-family properties

• Apartments• Condominiums• Dormitories

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Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO)

• Recycle five materials – Paper (including mixed paper and office paper) – Cardboard – Aluminum cans – PETE and HDPE plastics (#1 and #2) – Glass bottles and jars

• Sufficient collection-container capacity– 6.4 gallons per apartment unit– 25% recycling capacity for commercial

• Signs in English and Spanish • Tenant and employee education • Submit annual Recycling Plans online

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http://www.austintexas.gov/recyclingplan

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Single Use Carryout Bag Ordinance: Bring It Austin

On March 1, 2013, the Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance became effective, which encourages reusable bags

Businesses may offer several types of bags:1. Plastic: 4mil thick with handles2. Paper: made of 40% recycled content, with

handles3. Reusable bags: made of cloth or other fabric

Sign Requirements• Interior Signs at Point-of-Sale• Exterior Signs at Parking Lot or Store

Entrance

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Single Use Carryout Bag Ordinance: Bring It Austin

• Exemptions• Laundry, newspaper, and waste bags• Pharmaceutical and veterinarian bags• Restaurant bags

• Paper bags for all products unless used to prevent moisture damage

• Non-Checkout Bags• Produce bags, Bakery items, etc. • Charity Non-Profits

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Introduction to Business Waste Assessment

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What is a Waste Assessment?

• Purpose: Gather, sort and sample discards to estimate:– Total amount of waste and recycling discarded– Quantity of materials that can be recycled or reused– Current and potential reductions in disposal costs

• Objectives:– Increase diversion, decrease cost– Identify composition and quantities of waste being generated– Analyze effectiveness of current waste management system– Collect baseline data such that improvements to system can be

measured

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Why Conduct a Waste Assessment?

• Improve your bottom line – Right-size landfill trash and collection services for actual material flows– Estimate costs and expected benefits of waste reduction initiatives – Recruit and retain motivated employees– Identify materials to source separate and sell (i.e. office paper, scrap

metal)

• Environmental certifications (i.e. LEED EBOM, Austin Energy Green Building, Austin Green Business Leaders)

• Confirm Federal, State, and Local requirements are met– Ensure appropriate collection service for refuse and recyclables– Identify materials that may become liabilities (i.e. hazardous materials)– Audit collection processes and waste diversion activities

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Types of Waste Assessments

• Physical assessment– Empty waste containers and physically sort and measure waste

generated over a period of time– Measurements may be conducted by weight or volume

• Visual assessment– Visual estimation of waste composition– Empty waste onto a tarp or inspected inside the container

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Commodity Price Examples

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Commodity Revenue Range (2011 Pricing)

Newspaper $35-$125 per tonCorrugated Cardboard $35- $150 per tonMixed Paper $20-$125 per tonOffice Paper $100-$200 per tonAluminum Cans $1,000-$1,750 per tonSteel Cans $100-$250 per tonPlastic #1 (PET) $400-$600 per tonPlastic #2 (HDPE) $500-$700 per ton

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LEED Existing Buildings: Operation and Maintenance (EBOM) Requirements

• Waste assessments can be conducted to receive points toward LEED-EBOM

• Requirements of a waste assessment include:– Both landfill trash and recycle waste stream– Create a waste assessment worksheet to

identify waste categories that reflect the material sources and existing hauler programs

– Use weight (physical) or volume (visual) – Evaluate results and how waste can be

reduced through source reduction, reuse, and recycling

– Goals for minimizing waste and disposal costs

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Austin Convention Center

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Step 1: Evaluate Current Waste Program

• Conduct a qualitative evaluation of current waste management practices– Discussions with key personnel responsible for waste management– Examination of waste and recycling records to understand historical

service levels and cost of service– Walkthrough to observe waste generation, disposal, and recycling

practices

• Identify generation points– Offices– Cafeteria– Break room/conference rooms– Shipping/receiving– Others

• Use Commercial Waste Program Questionnaire (see form) as a tool19

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Step 1: Evaluate Current Waste Program Identifying Diversion Opportunities

• Contact your local recyclers– What will they accept and in what forms?– What types and sizes of containers do they provide?– What are the service rates?

• Other resources for recycling– Is there access to densifying equipment on site (e.g.,

compactor, baler)– Is there potential to “backhaul” recyclables to a warehouse

or central distribution center?– Is there storage space on site?

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Step 2: Conduct the Waste AssessmentDefining Material Categories

• Materials that may be recycled – Corrugated cardboard and chipboard– Newspaper – Other Paper: office paper, school paper, junk

mail, magazines– Plastics #1 - #7 bottles and containers– Aluminum, steel, and tin cans– Glass containers– Organics: food Scraps, food-soiled paper,

biodegradable – Other materials with identified

market/processor: plastic film, scrap metal, rigid plastics, polystyrene

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Step 2: Conduct the Waste AssessmentDefining Material Categories

• Materials that may be reduced or reused– Packaging– Bathroom tissue (e.g. replacing paper

towels with hand dryers)

• Other Waste

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Step 2: Conduct the Waste AssessmentScheduling Considerations

• Determine representative date for assessment– Should be a “typical” day– Avoid scheduling near holidays– Avoid scheduling after cleanout days, office moves, etc.

• Schedule the waste assessment prior to collection service– Day before or the same day of the scheduled collection service– Assessment should represent materials collected over a period

of time

• Plan for future waste assessments to evaluate program results (annual or semi-annual)

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Step 2: Conduct the Waste AssessmentEnsuring a Successful Assessment

• Ensure management/property manager approval and buy-in

• Work with janitorial staff to stage sort areas

• Assign specific roles to team members– Photographer– Scribe– Sorter(s) – Scale operator (weight-based assessment)

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Step 2: Conduct the Waste AssessmentGathering Needed Equipment

• Gloves and safety goggles• Heavy-duty shoes• Camera (digital still and/or video)• Sort tables• Measuring tape• Tarps• Scale (weight-based assessment)• Shovels/push brooms• Clipboard, recording forms, pens, labels• First aid kit• Containers (rigid containers or plastic bags)

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Step 2: Conduct the Waste AssessmentDetermining Waste Composition

1. Gather equipment and personnel.2. Estimate total volume of waste. Record the size

of the container. Estimate the quantity by volume of waste in the container by specifying a percent full for the container.

3. Photograph container. Include exterior and contents.

4. Remove waste to sorting area. If you were unable to estimate the volume, measure the length, width, and height of the pile.

5. Photograph the pile.

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Step 2: Conduct the Waste AssessmentDetermining Waste Composition

6.Identify material categories present. Measure the actual discards by weight or volume. Physical sorting is optional. Note that bags may need to be torn.

7.Estimate composition. Beginning with the largest material category observed, estimate the percentage composition of this material category and record. You may choose to estimate volume or weigh each material.

8.Check and reconcile composition data. Verify each material category adds up to 100%.

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Step 3: Reporting Results

1. Uncovers opportunities for saving money and reduce discards2. Right-size collection service levels (i.e. size, type, and frequency)3. Recommend recycling programs for implementation or expansion4. Estimate collection/disposal cost savings of implementing

recommended waste and recycling programs 5. Identifies waste streams that can be eliminated by:

• working with suppliers• changes to packaging or product design• purchasing preferences

6. Establishes baseline to assess impact of new recycling initiatives

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Example: The Paper Company

The Paper Company-Medium-sized business, 50 employees-Waste generated from 50 offices, 1 break room, 4 conference rooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 copy room, and common areas-Recycles aluminum cans only; staff takes recyclables home-Waste collected by janitorial staff-8 cubic yard Landfill Trash dumpsters; collected 5 times a week-75% full each day-$1000 per month for collection fees

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Example: The Paper CompanyIdentify Material Categories

• Divertible (Recyclable)– Corrugated cardboard and chipboard– Newspaper – Office paper– Other recyclable paper: junk mail, magazines, catalogs– Plastics #1 - #7 bottles and containers– Aluminum, steel, and tin cans– Glass containers

• No diversion opportunities identified (at this time)– Organic materials– Other waste

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Waste Characterization - Example: The Paper Company

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Example: The Paper CompanyIdentify Material Categories

Divertible Materials

Corrugated cardboard and chipboard 13 cu.ftNewspaper 3 cu.ftOffice paper 65 cu.ftOther recyclable paper 8 cu.ftPlastics #1-#7 2 cu.ftAluminum, steel, and tin cans 2 cu.ftGlass containers 2 cu.ftNo diversion opportunities identified Organic materials 16 cu.ftNon-divertible waste 51 cu.ft

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Form 2 – Waste Composition Form

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Waste Composition Form - Example

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Material Category

Weight (lbs) or Volume

(cu. ft.)Percentage of Waste Stream

Estimated Quantity of Material per

Week 1

OCC/Chipboard 13 8.0% 2.56Newspaper 3 1.9% 0.61Office Paper 65 40.1% 12.83Other Paper 8 4.9% 1.57Plastics #1-7 2 1.2% 0.38Aluminum, Steel Cans

21.2% 0.38

Glass Containers 2 1.2% 0.38Organic Materials 16 9.9% 3.17Waste 51 31.5% 10.08

Total 162 100.0% 32 □ CY or □ Gallons

1. Estimated Quantity of Material per Week = Estimated Total Quantity Per Week x Estimated Percentage of Waste Stream.

Total Capacity of Solid Waste Containers: 8 x 5 = 40 □ CY or □ GallonsAverage Percent Full Prior to Collection: 75% Estimated Total Quantity Per Week: Total Capacity of Solid Waste Containers x Average Percent Full Prior to Collection = 32 CY (40 CY x 0.75)

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Form 3 – Collection/Disposal Costs Savings Form

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Form 3, Table 1Estimated Quantity of Material Diverted - Example

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Material CategoryEstimated Quantity of Material per

Week 1

70% Diversion 2

100% Diversion 3

OCC/Chipboard 2.56 1.79 2.56Newspaper 0.61 0.43 0.61Office Paper 12.83 8.98 12.83Other Paper 1.57 1.10 1.57Plastics #1-7 0.38 0.27 0.38Aluminum, Steel Cans 0.38 0.27 0.38Glass Containers 0.38 0.27 0.38Organic Materials 3.17 0 0Waste 10.08 0 0

Total 32 □ CY or □ Gallons

13.10 □ CY or □ Gallons

18.72 □ CY or □ Gallons1. Refer to Waste Composition Form for Estimated Quantity of Material per Week.

2. 70% Diversion equals Estimated Quantity of Material per Week multiplied by 70%.3. 100% Diversion equals Estimated Quantity of Material per Week multiplied by 100%.

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Form 3, Table 2 Current & Estimated Material Quantity per Week - Example

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Current and Estimated Quantity of Material Collected/Disposed per Week

70% Diversion □ CY or

□ Gallons

100% Diversion□ CY or

□ Gallons

Current Total Quantity of Material Collected/Disposed per Week 1 32

Estimated Total Quantity of Material Diverted per Week 2 13.10 18.72

Estimated Total Collected/Disposed Quantity per Week with Increased Diversion 3

18.90 13.28

1. Refer to Table 1: Estimated Quantity of Material Diverted Total Estimated Quantity of Material per Week.

2. Refer to Table 1: Estimated Quantity of Material Diverted Total 70% Diversion and Total 100% Diversion.

3. Estimated Total Collected/Disposed Quantity per Week with Increased Diversion = Current Total Quantity of Material Collected/Disposed per Week – Estimated Total Quantity of Material Diverted per Week.

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Form 3, Table 3Recommended Collection Service Level - Example

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Recommended Collection Service Level 70% Diversion 100% DiversionContainer #1

Container Size __8__ □ CY or

□ Gallons

__8__ □ CY or

□ Gallons

Refuse Collection Frequency __3__ per week

__2__ per week

Container #2

Container Size __8__ □ CY or

□ Gallons

__8__ □ CY or

□ Gallons

Recycling Collection Frequency __2__ per week

__3__ per week

Container #3

Container Size _____ □ CY or

□ Gallons

_____ □ CY or □

GallonsCollection Frequency _____ per

week _____ per weekContainer #4

Container Size _____ □ CY or

□ Gallons

_____ □ CY or □

GallonsCollection Frequency _____ per

week _____ per week

Recommended Total Capacity of Weekly Service

_40__ □ CY or

□ Gallons

_40__ □ CY or

□ Gallons

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Form 3, Table 4Estimated Collection/Disposal Savings

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Estimated Collection/Disposal Savings 70% Diversion

100% Diversion

Current Monthly Collection/Disposal CostsRecommended Collection/Disposal Costs 1

Collection/Disposal Savings 2

Recommended Recycling Collection Costs Revenues from the Sale of Recyclables Decrease in New Material Costs/ Avoided Purchases Other Savings and Revenues from Increased Diversion Total Estimated Monthly Collection/Disposal Savings 3

1. Recommended Collection/Disposal Costs based on Table 3: Recommended Collection Service Level.

2. Collection/Disposal Savings = Current Monthly Collection/Disposal Costs – Recommended Collection/Disposal Costs.

3. Total Estimated Monthly Collection/Disposal Savings = the sum of Collection/Disposal Savings, Revenues from the Sale of Recyclables, Decrease in New Material Costs/ Avoided Purchases, and Other Savings and Revenues from Increased Diversion.

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Cost-Benefit Analysis

• Cost-benefit, ROI, or payback period is unique for each company

• Implementation costs will depend on a number of factors:– Current refuse collection contract– Rates negotiated in recycling collection contract (including risk allocation

for changes commodity prices)– Current and future commodity prices– Ability to “right size” containers during transition period

• If recycling is initially more expensive, it may change in the future:– As recycling market grows, collection and processing costs will be more

competitive– If commodity prices continue to increase, there will be an increased benefit

of diverting material– Landfills near cities are getting full and longer distances will increase

disposal costs40

Panel Discussion

I. Panelist introductions

II. Discussion

III. Question and Answer

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Participant Introductions

Chuck Smith, OwnerMoonshine Patio and Grill and Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Justin Murrill, Sustainability ManagerAdvanced Micro Devices

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Case Studies

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Texas Instruments – Plano, TX Campus: Focus on Organics and Recycling

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Description

937,000 sq. ft. 800-900 employees 80% diversion rate

Food Scraps

Pre-consumer Produce, meats, fish, oils, and dairy Moving toward post-consumer

Service Ware

All compostable Evaluated food that is served Low hanging fruit (e.g. stir sticks)

Compostable to-go containers and educational signage at Texas

Instruments

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Texas Instruments – Plano, TX Campus: Organics Collection

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• Collection containers– 96-gallon carts– Indoor and outdoor– 12-15 carts on-site

• Collection system– Carts used in food

preparation areas– Wheeled down a ramp

to collection area– “Staging” area for empty

carts near kitchen

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Texas Instruments – Plano, TX Campus

• Diversion– Two carts per day (was six carts

per day when program started)– 42 CY refuse compactor (pulled

once per month)– 42 CY recycle compactor (pulled

once per quarter)

• Disposal cost savings– Collection is performed at no

charge– City offsets costs with revenue

from compost sale

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Walters & Wolf Glass

• Walters & Wolf Glass (Fremont, CA) provides exterior glass and curtain-wall subcontracting services

• Recycling achievements include:– Increased recycling by 600%, 40 to 240 tons per month– Increased recycling results in diversion of 80% of their

waste– Saved $15,700 annually in avoided landfill costs

• Recipient of StopWaste Partnership Business Efficiency Award

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Walters & Wolf Glass: Successful Steps to Saving

• Pairing recycling bins with trash bins at every work station

• Conducting initial employee training with quarterly follow-up

• Reusing steel racking, wooden pallets and skids, and expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam)

• Recycling paper, plastic film, strapping, foam, metal, sawdust, and wood

• Donating outdated silicone and other materials instead of discarding

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Case Study: Finelite Lighting

• Finelite Lighting (Union City, CA) assembles high efficiency lighting products

• Recycling achievements include:– Revamped existing recycling by adding metal and wood bins

and increasing paper, cardboard, and beverage container recycling service

– Reduced waste to landfill by 84% (110 to 18 tons per year)– Reduced garbage costs by 76%, which is almost $17,000

• Honorable mention at the 2007 StopWaste Partnership Business Awards

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Case Study: Finelite LightingSuccessful Steps to Saving

• Recycled cardboard, wire, shredded paper, office paper, metal and wood

• Increased capture of commingled recycling with their franchised hauler

• Initiated pallet reuse/recycling with a specialty recycler

• Incorporated recycling into their corporate culture through educational events and materials

• Took advantage of supply-chain efficiencies, waste prevention opportunities, and reuse opportunities

• Utilizing reusable totes for collection of off-spec material

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Scott PasternakTel: 512.651.6405 Email: [email protected]

Seth Cunningham, PETel: 512.739.8226 Email: [email protected]

Aiden CohenAustin Resource Recovery | City of AustinPhone: [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]



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