Difference between revisions of "Trash Audit"

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<flickr>6264628014|frame|right|Recycling Bins</flickr>
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[[Image:KirstenHazmat.jpg|thumb|275px|]]
  
 
<small>return to [[Sustainability Labs]]</small> <br />
 
<small>return to [[Sustainability Labs]]</small> <br />
 
<small>return to [[Labs Highlights]]</small> <br />
 
<small>return to [[Labs Highlights]]</small> <br />
 
<small>return to [[Current Labs Summary]]</small>  
 
<small>return to [[Current Labs Summary]]</small>  
 
  
 
=== Trash Audit Experiment ===
 
=== Trash Audit Experiment ===
 
----
 
----
==== Goals of Lab ====
+
==== Goals of Experiment ====
 
* No waste - minimize trash; maximize recyclables & compost
 
* No waste - minimize trash; maximize recyclables & compost
 
* Reduce recyclables
 
* Reduce recyclables
 +
* Determine if materials are being placed in the correct stream
  
==== Decisions to be made from Lab ====
+
==== Decisions to be made from Experiment ====
 
* Purchase packages for remaining waste
 
* Purchase packages for remaining waste
 
* Define interim goals for reduction of recyclables based on baseline benchmark
 
* Define interim goals for reduction of recyclables based on baseline benchmark
 +
* Confirm if we have the effective and correct processes for recyclables
  
 
==== Expected Outcomes ====
 
==== Expected Outcomes ====
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----
 
----
 
==== General ====
 
==== General ====
* Compost - weeds, leaves, fruit, vegetables, tea bags, coffee grounds, etc.
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* Compost - weeds, leaves, fruit, vegetables, tea bags, coffee grounds, etc. (no protein, no dairy)
 
* Recyclables - Service comes once a week (Wednesday)
 
* Recyclables - Service comes once a week (Wednesday)
** Sorted into 4 bins
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** Sorted into bins
 
*** Plastic
 
*** Plastic
 
*** Metal
 
*** Metal
 
*** Cardboard
 
*** Cardboard
 
*** Glass
 
*** Glass
** Paper - periodically bag up and include in recycle area; keep dry in plastic bags
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*** Styrofoam
 +
*** Mixed Paper - periodically bag up and include in recycle area; keep dry in plastic bags
 
** Picked up by recycling service
 
** Picked up by recycling service
 
* Regular trash service determined by Green Garage Services; see [[Trash Tracker]]
 
* Regular trash service determined by Green Garage Services; see [[Trash Tracker]]
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==== Process Measurements ====
 
==== Process Measurements ====
 
* Audit trash container & bins for appropriate content
 
* Audit trash container & bins for appropriate content
** Sort trash on tarp
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** GG Services retrieves trash and recyclables from remote locations
** Photograph and video process and contents
+
** GG Labs receive trash from GG Services
 +
** Weigh trash; take photos
 +
** Dump trash on tarp; take photos
 +
** Sort trash on tarp; take photos
 +
** Photograph and video process and contents, especially for things not in the correct stream or not in the right condition to qualify for that stream
 +
** Repeat for each recyclable stream
 
** Document results
 
** Document results
 
** Report results
 
** Report results
 
* Measure each stream by weight; lbs
 
* Measure each stream by weight; lbs
 +
* Highlight improper usage; clear up misunderstanding
 +
* Put info above each bin for % done correctly also (positive reinforcement)
 
* Document in online workbook
 
* Document in online workbook
 
* Report results of each audit
 
* Report results of each audit
* Develop goals to reduce trash over time from baseline
+
* Develop goals to reduce trash over time from baseline (after Beta period)
 +
* Trend improper usage and use info to educate occupants (work with GG Services)
 
* Produce Annual Report on results and progress towards goals
 
* Produce Annual Report on results and progress towards goals
  
 
==== Resources Required ====
 
==== Resources Required ====
* Scale
+
* Scale - Joe fixed
* Tarp
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* Tarp - Peggy
* Rubber gloves
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* Rubber gloves - Peggy getting 3 more
* Clothes pins for nose
+
* Clothes pins for nose - done; in library
* Online tracking document
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* Online tracking document - Laurie
  
 
==== Participants ====
 
==== Participants ====
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* [http://www.wm.com/residential.jsp Waste Management]
 
* [http://www.wm.com/residential.jsp Waste Management]
 
* [http://www.terracycle.net/en-US/ TerraCycle]
 
* [http://www.terracycle.net/en-US/ TerraCycle]
 +
* [http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/09/mit-project-tries-to-turn-trash-into-a-game/?hpt=hp_bn6 Trash Game]
 +
* [http://www.mastercomposter.com/worm/index.html Worm Composting]
  
 
=== Questions ===
 
=== Questions ===
* How will paper be handled when open?  
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* How will paper be handled when open? Answer: Paper is part of recycling package. Will observe and put additional bins in for paper as needed.
  
 
=== TO DO ===
 
=== TO DO ===
* Plan / Do / Check / Act / Repeat
+
* Plan / Do / Study / Act / Repeat
* Make sure scale is operational
+
* Make sure scale is operational - DONE
* Develop record keeping and reporting  
+
* Develop record keeping and reporting - DONE
  
 
----
 
----

Latest revision as of 18:03, 19 April 2015

KirstenHazmat.jpg

return to Sustainability Labs
return to Labs Highlights
return to Current Labs Summary

Trash Audit Experiment


Goals of Experiment

  • No waste - minimize trash; maximize recyclables & compost
  • Reduce recyclables
  • Determine if materials are being placed in the correct stream

Decisions to be made from Experiment

  • Purchase packages for remaining waste
  • Define interim goals for reduction of recyclables based on baseline benchmark
  • Confirm if we have the effective and correct processes for recyclables

Expected Outcomes

  • Reduced amount of trash over time
  • Reduced amount of recyclables over time

Methodology


General

  • Compost - weeds, leaves, fruit, vegetables, tea bags, coffee grounds, etc. (no protein, no dairy)
  • Recyclables - Service comes once a week (Wednesday)
    • Sorted into bins
      • Plastic
      • Metal
      • Cardboard
      • Glass
      • Styrofoam
      • Mixed Paper - periodically bag up and include in recycle area; keep dry in plastic bags
    • Picked up by recycling service
  • Regular trash service determined by Green Garage Services; see Trash Tracker
  • Trash Audits monthly to start, then less often
  • GG Services receives audit report and implements improvements as necessary

Process Measurements

  • Audit trash container & bins for appropriate content
    • GG Services retrieves trash and recyclables from remote locations
    • GG Labs receive trash from GG Services
    • Weigh trash; take photos
    • Dump trash on tarp; take photos
    • Sort trash on tarp; take photos
    • Photograph and video process and contents, especially for things not in the correct stream or not in the right condition to qualify for that stream
    • Repeat for each recyclable stream
    • Document results
    • Report results
  • Measure each stream by weight; lbs
  • Highlight improper usage; clear up misunderstanding
  • Put info above each bin for % done correctly also (positive reinforcement)
  • Document in online workbook
  • Report results of each audit
  • Develop goals to reduce trash over time from baseline (after Beta period)
  • Trend improper usage and use info to educate occupants (work with GG Services)
  • Produce Annual Report on results and progress towards goals

Resources Required

  • Scale - Joe fixed
  • Tarp - Peggy
  • Rubber gloves - Peggy getting 3 more
  • Clothes pins for nose - done; in library
  • Online tracking document - Laurie

Participants

  • Audits will be Hands-On Activity for Labs Session

Collaboration

  • GG Services - implement improvements as necessary after audit
  • USL - media

Help Wanted

  • Open to All

Scheduling & Sequencing

  • First audit, 11/4/2011 during Labs Session
  • Then monthly audits unannounced until stabilized results
  • Quarterly audits unannounced after that

References


Questions

  • How will paper be handled when open? Answer: Paper is part of recycling package. Will observe and put additional bins in for paper as needed.

TO DO

  • Plan / Do / Study / Act / Repeat
  • Make sure scale is operational - DONE
  • Develop record keeping and reporting - DONE