How to measure single-use plastic in your material waste stream.
WHEN A COMPANY DECIDES TO ASSESS the amount of single-use plastics entering the waste stream from their facilities, they often hire an outside firm to conduct a waste audit, not only to better understand how their offices were performing with respect to recycling, but also to understand what opportunities were available to increase recycling as well as reduce waste generated on-site.
Three things an audit hopes to address:
Contamination Highly contaminated recycling and composting can sometimes be redirected to the landfill, which effectively negates the purpose of separating materials out to begin with.
Waste diversion The landfill stream for most companies typically contains between 50-75% recoverable material, which means that the majority of material being sent to the landfill could actually be recovered through recycling or composting.
Waste prevention Single-use plastics, excess food, and packaging materials like cardboard and styrofoam are all materials that can typically be reduced and occasionally eliminated entirely.
Deciding to do an Audit.
THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST PROVIDES GUIDANCE for what to look for when conducting an audit with an outside firm. This will help you prepare before the audit, and to better understand what to do with the data once it’s been received.
When hiring an outside auditor, be sure to make a checklist of priorities.
These can include:
Before conducting an audit, be sure to prepare your team and facility for the work ahead:
Generally speaking, a 1-3 day waste audit will be useful. For commercial office space, a 2-day waste audit is recommended especially if the waste profile varies due to guests or events or high influx of waste generated. The longer a waste audit is conducted, the more useful insights can be gathered.
An audit identifies primary recoverable materials (materials that are relatively easy to capture like food waste or office paper) and that information is used to tweak the internal infrastructure (containers and signage) or develop an employee education campaign. It can also quantify the amount of waste generated so a company can target the most easiest way to reduce their use of these materials.
Facility operations leads, which can include the facility manager at a site, food operators in charge of the cafeteria, and even janitorial managers as it may impact how they operate and who on their team they need to communicate to affect change. Site leads are usually responsible for the culture they are hoping to shape at a given building/campus, so they can also be a critical stakeholder in the process to ensure backing of any changes that may impact building occupants.
As soon as the results are available, meet with the facilities teams to highlight and identify the stakeholders responsible for the generation and management of waste. Agree on an action plan based on the results of the waste audit, and agree on what is reasonable to implement.
For any changes that will impact building occupants, be prepared for early engagement with key leads to ensure they are supportive of whatever changes are put in place. Prior to any rollout ensure the building occupants have an appropriate heads-up so they are not surprised. Reinforce, as always, what outcomes you expect from these enhancements so they understand what the team is ultimately trying to accomplish.
How to Conduct a Plastic Audit.
An interview with Stefan Moedritzer
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WASTE MATERIALS (including single-use plastic) enter the waste stream from a company, building or facility, start by looking at what’s in your garbage.
Stefan Moedritzer formerly managed Cascadia Consulting’s corporate and institutional waste work, where he helped universities, e-commerce, technology, retail, healthcare and food service companies quantify their environmental impacts and develop implementation plans to reduce their waste generation while increasing their waste diversion (the amount of material kept out of the landfill).
They depend on our client’s needs. For many companies we conduct a several day “snapshot audit” that provides detailed data regarding the quantity and composition of the waste generated onsite. These audits are a great way to identify the low-hanging fruit and develop actionable plans to reduce waste, increase diversion, and ensure that your recycling and compost streams stay as clean as possible. Some clients, such as the City of Seattle or the State of California, need more detailed data so they can track or develop policies like a statewide composting mandate or a plastic bag ban. For these studies, we collect and hand-sort tens of thousands of pounds of material (sometimes into up to 400 different waste categories) over multiple seasons to ensure that the data we collect is both representative and statistically significant.
The primary driver for a private sector audit is to increase waste diversion – the percentage of material that is kept out of the landfill through recycling, composting, or other means. Tracking and reporting for other sustainability areas like energy and water has long been metered and standardized, yet waste remains an enigma. An audit helps to identify what exactly a business is generating, and what can be done to reduce this waste and ensure materials are going into the correct container.
Look for a firm that has experience conducting audits with your type of facility. Common auditing pitfalls include not collecting representative samples, inexperienced sort teams, data entry and analysis errors, and insufficient equipment or safety procedures. You want a firm that will get the job done accurately, safely, and with minimal interruption to day-to-day operations.
A complete 1080p camera and 3-axis gimbal system are integrated.
A complete 1080p camera and 3-axis gimbal system are integrated with the Phantom 3 Advanced edition quadcopter from DJI.
Two garbage dumpsters overflowing with materials heading straight to the landfill.
Cascadia’s Jess Halter & Joel Dashnaw show off their safe, comfortable and stylish “office attire.” These field crew members wear bright safety vests to be seen by cars and trucks, sunglasses (or safety glasses) as eye protection to keep anything that might blow/splash/spray from the trash bags out of the eyes on a sunny day, nitrile gloves to protect against liquid waste, sturdy gloves over them to protect their hands from anything sharp in the waste stream, and sturdy yet comfortable shoes to protect their toes and feet.
Cascadia’s Jess Halter & Joel Dashnaw show off their safe, comfortable and stylish “office attire.” These field crew members wear bright safety vests to be seen by cars and trucks, sunglasses (or safety glasses) as eye protection to keep anything that might blow/splash/spray from the trash bags out of the eyes on a sunny day, nitrile gloves to protect against liquid waste, sturdy gloves over them to protect their hands from anything sharp in the waste stream, and sturdy yet comfortable shoes to protect their toes and feet.
Jess Halter & Joel Dashnaw show off their safe, comfortable and stylish “office attire.” These field crew members wear bright safety vests to be seen by cars and trucks, sunglasses (or safety glasses) as eye protection to keep anything that might blow/splash/spray from the trash bags out of the eyes on a sunny day, nitrile gloves to protect against liquid waste, sturdy gloves over them to protect their hands from anything sharp in the waste stream, and sturdy yet comfortable shoes to protect their toes and feet.
The site’s janitorial staff put colorful tags on all bags to inform Cascadia about which stream their waste came from (recycling, organics or garbage) and from which generator area (micro-kitchen, office, bathroom, cafe front-of-house, or cafe back-of-house).
The site’s janitorial staff put colorful tags on all bags to inform Cascadia about which stream their waste came from (recycling, organics or garbage) and from which generator area (micro-kitchen, office, bathroom, cafe front-of-house, or cafe back-of-house).
The site’s janitorial staff put colorful tags on all bags to inform about which stream their waste came from (recycling, organics or garbage) and from which generator area (micro-kitchen, office, bathroom, cafe front-of-house, or cafe back-of-house).
Cascadia’s Joel Dashnaw brings over a bag of recycling material from the waste enclosure for the field crew to sort.
Cascadia’s Joel Dashnaw brings over a bag of recycling material from the waste enclosure for the field crew to sort.
Joel Dashnaw brings over a bag of recycling material from the waste enclosure for the field crew to sort.
Plastics have rightfully been getting a lot of media attention the last 3-4 years. They are cheap, lightweight, easy to manufacture and last an extremely long time, which has been fantastic for the packaging industry and other industrial applications. More and more light has been shed on the downstream effects of this material, and we now know the vast majority of plastics are not being recycled properly and are ending up in streets, oceans, parks, and even our food supply. Plastics are a huge environmental and social justice issue (check out the Plastic China documentary). Also, most plastics are petroleum-based, which contributes to fossil fuel usage and increased GHG emissions associated with that. The good news is that many single-use plastics have durable or non-plastic replacements already available, like many foodservice or packaging items. Increased awareness and attention on single-use plastics is leading to new innovation on this front as well.
Waste audits vary greatly in the amount of granularity in terms of data, but overall the theme and desired outcome are the same in terms of identifying which material outputs a team should prioritize along with how they are currently performing and what there potential for increased recycling may be.
This is entirely dependant on budget. More audit days = stronger data. For companies that are conducting their first audit, I would recommend collecting more samples over more days and focusing on a small list of materials, maybe 6-10 categories. This will help to establish a strong baseline and can identify the low-hanging fruit. For a company that already has a strong understanding of their waste stream, deeper dives are necessary to take program performance to the next level. These audits often involve larger sample sizes or more detailed materials lists, up to 40-50 distinct categories.
All audits are based on collecting and characterizing samples. The first step is to ensure that your sample is representative of the location you are auditing. To do this, it is best to start with at least a full 24-hour sample and audit all areas within a site. For example, if you are auditing bathrooms at an office building from 5am-8:30am, the resulting data is not going to tell you a lot about what that site is generating overall and what the opportunities are for improvement.
Representative also means selecting the right day of the week; Monday or Friday waste generation may be different than the middle of a week due to reduced head-counts. The audit should represent typical operations; make sure there are no special events or holidays during your sampling window. Seasonality can also affect your results; some types of locations, such as restaurants, may be more or less busy depending on the season, or generate different types of waste at different times of the year.
The most useful takeaway from an audit for me is the amount of “good stuff” that is going to the landfill. Once an organization realizes the sheer amount of waste they are generating and how much of it can be recovered this is typically a fairly eye-opening moment that spurs action.
For an office building or a foodservice establishment, the most prevalent single-use items tend to be plastic films (such as bags or food packaging liners), plastic water bottles, and food service items like cups, takeout containers, and cutlery. More industrial settings, such as manufacturing or distribution, typically generate large amounts of expanded polystyrene (e.g., Styrofoam(r)), shrink wrap, and bubble wrap or other plastic packaging cushioning.
A typical “day in the office” for the Waste Sort team: Jess Halter and Maggie Moellering. They enter waste weights and types into a cloud-based database, and review field data for quality assurance.
The first step in sorting a bag of trash is to identify the stream and generator area. Once this information is entered into a custom database, the Cascadia field crew member rips open the bag and spreads out its contents on a sorting table. The material will then be hand-sorted into 46 different material categories.
The first step in sorting a bag of trash is to identify the stream and generator area. Once this information is entered into a custom database, the Cascadia field crew member rips open the bag and spreads out its contents on a sorting table. The material will then be hand-sorted into 46 different material categories.
The first step in sorting a bag of trash is to identify the stream and generator area. Once this information is entered into a custom database, the Cascadia field crew member rips open the bag and spreads out its contents on a sorting table. The material will then be hand-sorted into 46 different material categories.
Outcomes:
what you find in an audit.
Clockwise starting from the top left, are the four 4 material categories*:
1. single use compostable paper coffee cups
2. single use compostable plastic cups
3. single use plastic water bottles
4. single serving snack wrappers.
These materials are sorted into single categories, then placed in baskets and weighed to determine how each category contributes to the overall waste stream.
Clockwise starting from the top left, are the four 4 material categories*:
1. single use compostable paper coffee cups
2. single use compostable plastic cups
3. single use plastic water bottles
4. single serving snack wrappers.
These materials are sorted into single categories, then placed in baskets and weighed to determine how each category contributes to the overall waste stream.
Clockwise starting from the top left, are the four material categories*:
1. single use compostable paper coffee cups
2. single use compostable plastic cups
3. single use plastic water bottles
4. single serving snack wrappers.
These materials are sorted into single categories, then placed in baskets and weighed to determine how each category contributes to the overall waste stream.
Material type: Primarily polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Waste stream: Recycling
Replacement: Replace with a durable drinking container.
Comments: The use of single use plastic water bottles is extensive at Google X and gTech offices. Many employees choose a single use plastic version instead of drinking water from the tap.
Bottled water often comes from a similar source as tap water but tap water has higher environmental and safety regulations and is zero waste.
Material type: Primarily polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Waste stream: Recycling
Replacement: Replace with a durable drinking container.
Comments: The use of single use plastic water bottles is extensive at Google X and gTech offices. Many employees choose a single use plastic version instead of drinking water from the tap.
Bottled water often comes from a similar source as tap water but tap water has higher environmental and safety regulations and is zero waste.
Material type: Primarily polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Waste stream: Recycling
Replacement: Replace with a durable drinking container.
Comments: Many employees choose a single use plastic version instead of drinking water from the tap.
Bottled water often comes from a similar source as tap water but tap water has higher environmental and safety regulations and is zero waste.
Material type: Predominantly mylar, occasionally with other types of long-lasting plastic films (usually polyethylene-based)
Waste stream: Landfill or send to a specialty recycler like Terracycle.
Refuse, reuse, replace?
Refuse! Search out bulk options whenever possible.
Material type: Predominantly mylar, occasionally with other types of long-lasting plastic films (usually polyethylene-based)
Waste stream: Landfill or send to a specialty recycler like Terracycle.
Refuse, reuse, replace?
Refuse! Search out bulk options whenever possible.
Material type: Predominantly mylar, occasionally with other types of long-lasting plastic films (usually polyethylene-based)
Waste stream: Landfill or send to a specialty recycler like Terracycle.
Refuse, reuse, replace?
Refuse! Search out bulk options whenever possible.
Material type: Predominantly paper with a plant-based coating that acts as a liquid barrier.
Waste stream: Compostable in most areas.
Comments: Easily replaceable with a traditional mug or a travel mug.
Refuse, reuse, or replace? Difficult to reuse, easy to replace.
Material type: Predominantly paper with a plant-based coating that acts as a liquid barrier.
Waste stream: Compostable in most areas.
Comments: Easily replaceable with a traditional mug or a travel mug.
Refuse, reuse, or replace? Difficult to reuse, easy to replace.
Material type: Predominantly paper with a plant-based coating that acts as a liquid barrier.
Waste stream: Compostable in most areas.
Comments: Easily replaceable with a traditional mug or a travel mug.
Refuse, reuse, or replace? Difficult to reuse, easy to replace.
Material type: Predominantly paper with a plant-based coating that acts as a liquid barrier.
Waste stream: Compostable in most areas.
Comments: Easily replaceable with a traditional mug or a travel mug.
Refuse, reuse, or replace? Difficult to reuse, easy to replace.
Material type: Predominantly paper with a plant-based coating that acts as a liquid barrier.
Waste stream: Compostable in most areas.
Comments: Easily replaceable with a traditional mug or a travel mug.
Refuse, reuse, or replace? Difficult to reuse, easy to replace.
Crystallized Polylactic Acid (CPLA) - a plant-based plastic that can be used in high temperatures
Waste stream: Compostable in some areas, landfill in the majority of the US
Comments: These lids have a much lower carbon footprint than traditional plastic lids, but are not universally compostable and are still considered single-use plastic.
Reuse, replace, reuse?
These can’t be reused, but could be refused. Most durable travel mugs now come with a durable lid as well.
Material type: Primarily low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Waste stream: Landfill, potentially recoverable if dropped off at facility that bundles plastic film for recycling.
Reuse, replace, refuse?
Difficult to reuse and replace. Refuse when possible.
Material type: Primarily low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Waste stream: Landfill, potentially recoverable if dropped off at facility that bundles plastic film for recycling.
Reuse, replace, refuse?
Difficult to reuse and replace. Refuse when possible.
Material type: Primarily low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Waste stream: Landfill, potentially recoverable if dropped off at facility that bundles plastic film for recycling.
Reuse, replace, refuse?
Difficult to reuse and replace. Refuse when possible.
Material type: Two different materials are shown in this picture. The milk cartons are made from poly coated paper. The soy milk container is called an aseptic container and has an additional aluminum foil liner, making it very difficult to recover. Both are pretty difficult to replace with a durable option.
Waste stream: The poly coated paper can be recycled in many areas, the aseptic containers are not as easily recycled.
Material type: Two different materials are shown in this picture. The milk cartons are made from poly coated paper. The soy milk container is called an aseptic container and has an additional aluminum foil liner, making it very difficult to recover. Both are pretty difficult to replace with a durable option.
Waste stream: The poly coated paper can be recycled in many areas, the aseptic containers are not as easily recycled.
Material type: Two different materials are shown in this picture. The milk cartons are made from poly coated paper. The soy milk container is called an aseptic container and has an additional aluminum foil liner, making it very difficult to recover. Both are pretty difficult to replace with a durable option.
Waste stream: The poly coated paper can be recycled in many areas, the aseptic containers are not as easily recycled.
Material type: Clamshell and napkin - paper
Container - Predomininantly paper with pant-based liquid barrier lining.
Utensils - Polylactic Acid and talc (TPLA)
Waste stream: The clamshell, napkin, and container can be composted in most areas.
Comments: Single-use paper clamshells and bowls, along with paper napkins, make up the majority of food-soiled paper category.
It is also relatively common to find these in the recycling stream. Even though they are paper products, paper that is contaminated with food belongs in the compost category.
Material type: Clamshell and napkin - paper
Container - Predomininantly paper with pant-based liquid barrier lining.
Utensils - Polylactic Acid and talc (TPLA)
Waste stream: The clamshell, napkin, and container can be composted in most areas.
Comments: Single-use paper clamshells and bowls, along with paper napkins, make up the majority of food-soiled paper category.
It is also relatively common to find these in the recycling stream. Even though they are paper products, paper that is contaminated with food belongs in the compost category.
Material type: Clamshell and napkin - paper
Container - Predomininantly paper with pant-based liquid barrier lining.
Utensils - Polylactic Acid and talc (TPLA)
Waste stream: The clamshell, napkin, and container can be composted in most areas.
Comments: Single-use paper clamshells and bowls, along with paper napkins, make up the majority of food-soiled paper category.
It is also relatively common to find these in the recycling stream. Even though they are paper products, paper that is contaminated with food belongs in the compost category.
Material type: Wood (stir sticks) and Polylactic Acid + Talc (utensils)
Waste stream: The wood can be composted in most composting programs, the utensils in some.
Comments: Tea and coffee consumption goes beyond single use coffee cups - employees at Google also use single use wooden stirrers to stir coffee and tea.
Refuse, replace, reuse?
Both the utensils and stir sticks can be replaced with durable options fairly easily.
Material type: Wood (stir sticks) and Polylactic Acid + Talc (utensils)
Waste stream: The wood can be composted in most composting programs, the utensils in some.
Comments: Tea and coffee consumption goes beyond single use coffee cups - employees at Google also use single use wooden stirrers to stir coffee and tea.
Refuse, replace, reuse?
Both the utensils and stir sticks can be replaced with durable options fairly easily.
Material type: Wood (stir sticks) and Polylactic Acid + Talc (utensils)
Waste stream: The wood can be composted in most composting programs, the utensils in some.
Comments: Tea and coffee consumption goes beyond single use coffee cups - employees also use single use wooden stirrers to stir coffee and tea.
Refuse, replace, reuse?
Both the utensils and stir sticks can be replaced with durable options fairly easily.
Material type: Typically latex or nitrile
Waste stream: Landfill
Comments: A common contaminant found in cafe back-of-house compost and recycling streams.
Refuse, replace, reuse?
Very difficult to replace. There are a couple of different biodegradable options being developed but they don’t hold up as well as nitrile or latex.
Material type: Typically latex or nitrile
Waste stream: Landfill
Comments: A common contaminant found in cafe back-of-house compost and recycling streams.
Refuse, replace, reuse?
Very difficult to replace. There are a couple of different biodegradable options being developed but they don’t hold up as well as nitrile or latex.
Material type: Typically latex or nitrile
Waste stream: Landfill
Comments: A common contaminant found in cafe back-of-house compost and recycling streams.
Refuse, replace, reuse?
Very difficult to replace. There are a couple of different biodegradable options being developed but they don’t hold up as well as nitrile or latex.
Material type: Polylactic acid and talc (TPLA).
Waste stream: Can be composted in some composting programs.
Reuse, replace, refuse?
Fairly easy to replace with durable options.
Material type: Polylactic acid and talc (TPLA).
Waste stream: Can be composted in some composting programs.
Reuse, replace, refuse?
Fairly easy to replace with durable options.
Material type: Polylactic acid and talc (TPLA).
Waste stream: Can be composted in some composting programs.
Reuse, replace, refuse?
Fairly easy to replace with durable options.
Rubber bands are a common contaminant found in compost bags used in food service operations. Used the wrap fruit and vegetables, they are mistakenly put into compost bags by the back-of-house cafe staff.
Rubber bands are a common contaminant found in compost bags used in food service operations. Used the wrap fruit and vegetables, they are mistakenly put into compost bags by the back-of-house cafe staff.
Rubber bands are a common contaminant found in compost bags used in food service operations. Used to wrap fruit and vegetables, they are mistakenly put into compost bags by the back-of-house cafe staff..
NOT READY TO HIRE a company to conduct an audit?
Here are a few tips for conducting your own audit and getting a handle on the amount of single-use plastics that goes into your garbage each day.
Where and what would you like to audit?
Where and what would you like to audit?
Where and what would you like to audit?
Where and what would you like to audit?
Where and what would you like to audit?
It might be a cafeteria, kitchen or lunchroom, or at individual desks in an office. It could even be at receiving areas or lounges … or all of the above.
Marking bags
Marking bags
Marking bags
If sampling from multiple locations, be sure that whomever is collecting the bags for your audit is accurately labeling where each bag came from, especially when you have bins for a variety of material waste.
If sampling from multiple locations, be sure that whomever is collecting the bags for your audit is accurately labeling where each bag came from, especially when you have bins for a variety of material waste.
If sampling from multiple locations, be sure that whomever is collecting the bags for your audit is accurately labeling where each bag came from, especially when you have bins for a variety of material waste.
Note: To get a more comprehensive assessment of your waste, collect and set aside waste over multiple days, making sure that it is properly stored instead of set in a dumpster.
Note: To get a more comprehensive assessment of your waste, collect and set aside waste over multiple days, making sure that it is properly stored instead of set in a dumpster.
To get a more comprehensive assessment of your waste, collect and set aside waste over multiple days, making sure that it is properly stored instead of set in a dumpster.
Note:
Note:
Note:
The audit dress code
The audit dress code
The audit dress code
To dress for success, it helps to have the following:
To dress for success, it helps to have the following:
To dress for success, it helps to have the following:
a) puncture-proof glove
a) puncture-proof glove
a) puncture-proof glove
b) jumpsuit
b) jumpsuit
b) jumpsuit
c) hat (especially if you’re planning to be outside all day)
c) hat (especially if you’re planning to be outside all day)
c) hat (especially if you’re planning to be outside all day)
Tools of the trade
Tools of the trade
Tools of the trade
- Clipboard with sample audit form (see end)
- Sharpies
- Box cutters: to open the garbage bags
- Camera: take pictures of the unusual things you find
- Tape Measure: scale is important
- Clipboard with sample audit form (see end)
- Sharpies
- Box cutters: to open the garbage bags
- Camera: take pictures of the unusual things you find
- Tape Measure: scale is important
- Clipboard with sample audit form (see end)
- Sharpies
- Box cutters: to open the garbage bags
- Camera: take pictures of the unusual things you find
- Tape Measure: scale is important
- Tarps: you’re going to be making a mess
- Plastic bins (to sort various waste materials)
- Portable Scale
- Twist ties
- Soap, water, disinfectant wipes (it’s going to be messy)
- Tarps: you’re going to be making a mess
- Plastic bins (to sort various waste materials)
- Portable Scale
- Twist ties
- Soap, water, disinfectant wipes (it’s going to be messy)
- Tarps: you’re going to be making a mess
- Plastic bins (to sort various waste materials)
- Portable Scale
- Twist ties
- Soap, water, disinfectant wipes (it’s going to be messy)
Collecting Bags
Collecting Bags
Collecting Bags
Staging area
Staging area
Staging area
Be sure you have a suitable staging area for all the bags you will be gathering. You can collect them in dumpsters or in piles. When ready, spread your tarps out on a large area. Parking lots closed to automobile traffic are perfect for conducting a waste audit.
Be sure you have a suitable staging area for all the bags you will be gathering. You can collect them in dumpsters or in piles. When ready, spread your tarps out on a large area. Parking lots closed to automobile traffic are perfect for conducting a waste audit.
Be sure you have a suitable staging area for all the bags you will be gathering. You can collect them in dumpsters or in piles. When ready, spread your tarps out on a large area. Parking lots closed to automobile traffic are perfect for conducting a waste audit.
Whats next?
Whats next?
Whats next?
Spread the tarp out.
Place one garbage bag on a portable scale set on the open tarp.
Weigh the plastic bag and enter data into the Audit Log.
Open the plastic bag with a box cutter.
Empty the bag onto the tarp.
Note all materials present and enter into date into the Audit Log.
Spread the tarp out.
Place one garbage bag on a portable scale set on the open tarp.
Weigh the plastic bag and enter data into the Audit Log.
Open the plastic bag with a box cutter.
Empty the bag onto the tarp.
Note all materials present and enter into date into the Audit Log.
- Spread the tarp out.
- Place one garbage bag on a portable scale set on the open tarp.
- Weigh the plastic bag and enter data into the Audit Log.
- Open the plastic bag with a box cutter.
- Empty the bag onto the tarp.
- Note all materials present and enter into date into the Audit Log.
- Alternatively, place materials in specific bins (aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic utensils, plastic bottles, snack food wrappers, etc.)
Spread the tarp out.
Place one garbage bag on a portable scale set on the open tarp.
Weigh the plastic bag and enter data into the Audit Log.
Open the plastic bag with a box cutter.
Empty the bag onto the tarp.
Note all materials present and enter into date into the Audit Log.
Alternatively, place materials in specific bins (aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic utensils, plastic bottles, snack food wrappers, etc.)
Place the rest of the garbage back into the bag and tie it up with twist ties.
Repeat with the rest of bags.
When audit is complete, weigh individual bins to get total amount of waste material by type.
Plastic waste into remaining bags and place in garbage.
Wash up with soap, water and disinfectant wipes
Spread the tarp out.
Place one garbage bag on a portable scale set on the open tarp.
Weigh the plastic bag and enter data into the Audit Log.
Open the plastic bag with a box cutter.
Empty the bag onto the tarp.
Note all materials present and enter into date into the Audit Log.
Alternatively, place materials in specific bins (aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic utensils, plastic bottles, snack food wrappers, etc.)
Place the rest of the garbage back into the bag and tie it up with twist ties.
Repeat with the rest of bags.
When audit is complete, weigh individual bins to get total amount of waste material by type.
Plastic waste into remaining bags and place in garbage.
Wash up with soap, water and disinfectant wipes
- Place the rest of the garbage back into the bag and tie it up with twist ties.
- Repeat with the rest of bags.
- When audit is complete, weigh individual bins to get total amount of waste material by type.
- Plastic waste into remaining bags and place in garbage.
- Wash up with soap, water and disinfectant wipes
Coda
The qualities that make plastic useful—lightness, lower cost, durability—can also make plastic a challenge for communities and ecosystems. Single-use plastics, such as carry-out bags, wrappers, and food service items, weigh so little that they can be carried by wind or water, sometimes for many miles, littering our neighborhoods, natural areas, and precious waterways. Yet their lightness makes them virtually invisible.
The power of a waste audit lies in making the invisible visible.
With a proper waste audit, we can better understand how—and to what extent—single-use plastics are woven throughout supply chains, products, services, and operations. And this awareness—bolstered by data—empowers us to direct intervention and investment in areas that will truly make a difference.
Cascadia’s mission is to inspire and empower communities everywhere to protect and restore our world. Audits are one of the most effective tools we’ve found for empowering clients to take more ownership of their waste. With reliable data, organizations have been able to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics in favor of durable or compostable alternatives; reconfigure supplier contracts to replace plastic packaging with sustainable alternatives; educate employees and customers about proper sorting and waste management techniques; and correct inefficiencies.
If you’re considering an audit for your organization, thank you. This eye-opening experience will equip you to see the unseen and ultimately help solve one of the biggest environmental challenges faced by our world today.
Cascadia Consulting Group is a small, 100% women-owned environmental consulting company based in Seattle, WA. The company provides a broad range of environmental consulting services related to resource conservation and materials management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable transportation, stormwater pollution prevention, equity and inclusion, and natural resources planning.
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