NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Everything You Have Ever Wanted to Know for a Waste Audit Gary Feinland, NYSDEC Debbie Jackson, NYSDEC Jennifer

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Everything You Have Ever Wanted to Know for a

Waste Audit

Gary Feinland, NYSDECDebbie Jackson, NYSDECJennifer Kruman, NYSDEC

But were afraid to ask….


Session Outline

• Introductions• EO 4 Goals• Why a Waste Audit• When to Do an Audit• Pre-work• Tools Needed• Work Stations• Common Areas• Food Areas• Summary


EO4 – Waste Reduction Goal

Three (3) ways to measure:

1. Waste generation data from any

year in the past for which an

affected entity has data.



2. Use of the median from the Office of General Services (OGS) 2008 audit of several state facilities.

133 pounds per full time employee

per year (lbs/fte/yr).



3. Perform a new waste audit for 2008-2009.


Why a Waste Audit

You will discover the type, amount, content, exact sources and reasons for the waste you are currently generating.


When To Do A Waste Audit

• Non-seasonal agencies/authorities –

Anytime

• Seasonal agencies/authorities –

Peak Time & Low Time, then take

the Average


Welcome to 625 Broadway Garbage/Recycling Room

Toters with waste


Toters with waste Corrugated Cardboard Containers

Recyclable Paper Containers

Toter with recyclable glass, metals & plastics containers


Pre-Audit WorkOwned Building

• Contact Waste Hauler

• Notify Upper Management

• Determine day (usually Tues/Wed)

• Set Time

• Duration Time of Audit Varies

First time: 2 - 6 hours


Pre-Audit WorkLeased Building-Only Tenant

• Contact Building Management

• Contact Waste Hauler

• Contact OGS

• Determine Day

• Set Time

• Duration


Pre-Audit WorkLeased Building-One Floor

• Contact Building Management

• Coordinate with Cleaning Crew

• Contact OGS

• Determine Day

• Set Time

• Duration


Tools Needed

• Rubber Gloves

• Scale

• Plastic Bags

• Containers

• Clipboard & Forms

• Camera

• Tarp


Waste Audit Recording Forms

Deposit Cans

& BottlesPaper

Plastic,

Glass, Metal

Compostables

Garbage


More equipment needed for a waste audit


Waste Audit Crew

• Waste/Recyclable Handlers

• Note Taker

• Photographer (optional)


Dress for A Waste Audit

Just Kidding!


Weighing containers and garbage before sorting


Sorting through the garbage


After sorting – weigh the separated materials


Material Categories for an Office

• Biodegradable Items

• Recyclable Paper

• Corrugated Cardboard

• Recyclable Cans & Bottles

• Garbage


Don’t Forget…. Other Office Materials

• Computers!

• Toner Cartridges


What you find in one garbage bag - compostables, aluminum, paper and garbage


Material Categories of a Facility

• Scrap Metal

• Construction/Demotion Waste

• Tires

• Fluids (oil, antifreeze)

• Yard Waste


Items found in the garbage


Both recycling and garbage bins at each desk area


Individual Desk Audits

• Identify non-compliance

• Identify areas for improvement in education

• Helps determine cleaning staff awareness


Recycling bin at desk for paper


Garbage bin at desk


Common Areas

Don’t forget to include common areas!

• Copier Areas

• Lunch Room

• Pantry


Bins located in the freight

elevator areas

Common Areas


Garbage bin – located on each floor in pantry area

Common Areas


Pantry Area


Copier Area


Don’t Forget the Odd

Recyclables!

• Ink Jet Cartridges

• Cassette Tapes

• Transparencies

• Compact Disks

• Tyvek Envelopes

• Video Tapes

• Batteries


• Flags

• Conservationist Magazines

• Eye Glasses

• Cell Phones

• 3.5” Disks

• 6 Ring Holders


Summary• Talk to Upper Management

• Talk to Your Waste/Recycling Hauler

• Find Volunteers

• Pick a Date

• Improve Your Education Program

• Tabulate the Data

• Evaluate Your Goal

Go For It!


What to do with the results of the audit….

• Use your numbers to calculate your

baseline waste generation rate.

Pounds of total waste generated (including

recyclables) divided by full time employees per year

(lbs/fte/yr)

• Identify areas for increased waste reduction &

recycling


Not sure where the recycle bin and desk begin!


Creative Use of Recyclables!


Guides Available


Special Thanks to the Waste Audit Crew!

• Betty Jo Daly

• Jennifer Kruman

• Jim Clayton


Thank You!


QuestionsDebbie Jackson

518-402-8705

[email protected]

Gary Feinland

518-402-8705

[email protected]

Rich Wall

518-455-6110

[email protected]

Documents

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Everything You Have Ever Wanted to Know for a Waste Audit Gary Feinland, NYSDEC Debbie Jackson, NYSDEC Jennifer