Measuring To Manage Resources And Wastes An Introduction

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Measuring to ManageResources and WastesAn introduction

Zero Waste Scotlandworks with businesses,communities, individualsand local authorities tohelp them reduce waste,recycle more and useresources sustainably.For more information about Zero Waste Scotland’sservices and other publications that will help you,please visit the website (www.zerowastescotland.org.uk)or contact the free Helpline on 0808 100 2040.

DraftSummaryScotland’s Zero Waste Plan and other legislationrequire businesses and public sector bodies to changethe way they operate. Therefore, Zero Waste Scotlandhas produced this guide to help environment managers;health, safety and environment managers; financedepartments; or members of other management teamsto use measurement and benchmarking techniques asa means of understanding their business operations toallow them to respond to these changes.Measuring and benchmarking should be oneof the first steps a business takes to improveits environmental performance. Without agood understanding of how, where and whenresources are used, it will not be possible tomanage them in an efficient manner. Take thetime to measure before changing anything.Measuring and benchmarking provide thefoundation for improving your environmentalperformance and setting up a managementsystem, whether it is an environmentalmanagement system or carbon managementplan.This guide will provide you with the tools toimplement the six key stages (see below)necessary to measure and benchmark yourbusiness’s environmental performanceeffectively, and use this information toultimately determine priorities and to informdecision-making. Following these establishedbest practice methods and techniques willallow your business to minimise the costsassociated with a monitoring andbenchmarking programme, and allow you tounderstand your resource use. This guide willalso enable you to make informed decisionson how to minimise waste production, thushelping Scotland move towards becoming aZero Waste economy.Stage 1:Understandyour resourceuse and wasteproductionStage 6:Review andcommunicateprogressStage 2:Collect dataand quantifywastestreamsStage 5:Determineprioritiesand settargetsStage 3:Collate andmanage yourdataStage 4:Analyse andunderstandyour data

ho is this guide for?Aim of this guideWhy does waste matter?Why measure and benchmark?What is a measuring and benchmarking programme?111222.Stage 1: Understand your resource use and waste production32.12.2Initial reviewsProcess mapping343.Stage 2: Collect data and quantify waste streams63.1Sources of data64.Stage 3: Collate and manage your data124.14.2Storing dataData management best practice12125.Stage 4: Analyse and understand your data145.15.25.35.45.55.6Understanding trendsRelationshipsKey performance indicatorsBenchmarkingCarbon footprintingCarbon metrics1414151920216.Stage 5: Determine priorities and set targets226.16.26.3Identifying prioritiesSetting targetsDeveloping action plans2222237.Stage 6: Review and communicate progress247.17.2Review progressCommunicate progress24248.Summary outcomes269.Further information27

Draft1 IntroductionThis guide willprovide you with thetools to implementthe six key stagesnecessary tomeasure andbenchmark y.This Guide has been produced by Zero WasteScotland as a practical resource for Scottishbusinesses. It is designed to help you manageyour resources more effectively, improve yourdata management systems, better understandthe wastes that your business produces, andprovide you with a methodology to helpquantify waste and monitor progress inreducing it.1.1 Who is this guide for?The guide is applicable to businesses of allsizes and from all sectors of industry. It willhelp anyone who wants to obtain a betterunderstanding of their business resource use(e.g. environment managers; health, safetyand environment managers; financedepartments; members of other managementteams; or anyone who has been given theresponsibility to gather and analyse data).1.2 Aim of this guideMeasurement and benchmarking provide thefoundation for improving your environmentalperformance and setting up yourmanagement system, whether it is anenvironmental management system or carbonmanagement plan.This guide will provide you with the tools toimplement the six key stages necessary tomeasure and benchmark your business’senvironmental performance effectively, anduse this information to ultimately determinepriorities and to inform decision-making.Following these established best practicemethods and techniques will allow yourbusiness to minimise the costs associatedwith a monitoring and benchmarkingprogramme, and allow you to understand yourresource use. This guide will also enable youto make informed decisions on how tominimise waste production, thus helpingScotland move towards becoming a ZeroWaste economy.1.3 Why does waste matter?All companies use resources and producewaste – even small ones. It’s a fact of life –almost 20 million tonnes of waste areproduced in Scotland each year. Asbusinesses, we can change how much wastewe produce, how we manage it and what wedo with it.Many companies underestimate how muchwaste is costing; it could be as high as 4% ofturnover. The true cost of waste isn’t limitedto the charges for disposal (see Fig 1). It alsoincludes wasted raw materials, energy andlabour – which can be between 5 and 20times more than the cost of disposal. It couldcost more to throw resource away than topurchase it in the first place.Visible costsFig 1 The true costs of wasteOn average,the true cost ofwasted materialsis about tentimes the cost ofdisposal.1Disposal costsLost materialsEnergy costsLiabilities and risksLost labourOther costsInvisible costs

Draft1.4 Why measure and benchmark?Measuring and benchmarking should be oneof the first steps your business takes inimproving its environmental performance.Without a good understanding of resourceuse, you will be unable to manage theseresources in a more efficient manner. Takethe time to measure before changinganything. Taking regular measurements, andanalysing your environmental and financialdata will help you to: identify where resources are used in yourbusiness; control your services/processes moreeffectively; determine the base-line against which tojudge the progress of your organisation’sresource efficiency programme; identify cost-effective opportunities toprevent and reduce waste; reduce the true cost of resource use andwaste to your company; set improvement objectives and targets; and measure progress towards your targets andset new ones.1.5 What is a measuring and benchmarkingprogramme?A measuring and benchmarking programmecomprises a six-stage process (see Fig 2) thattakes you from understanding your business’scurrent resource use and waste production, tounderstanding how to measure it, using thedata to understand why and how it is beingused and ultimately making informeddecisions on how to improve and reduce it toachieve cost savings. This is followed by areview of progress and communication ofachievements that take you back to thebeginning of the cycle. This guide will lead youthrough this process, providing a number oftechniques and methods at each stage.Remember: if you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.Fig 2 Key stages in developing your measuring and monitoring programmeStage 1:Understandyour resourceuse and wasteproductionStage 6:Review andcommunicateprogressStage 2:Collect dataand quantifywastestreamsStage 5:Determineprioritiesand settargetsStage 3:Collate andmanage yourdataStage 4:Analyse andunderstandyour data2

Draft2 Stage 1: Understand your resourceuse and waste productionAn initial review willhelp you to have abetter understandingof where resourcesare used in yourorganisation alongwith an idea of thematerials youdispose of as waste.OverviewThis section focuses on enabling your organisation to identify the resources that are usedin its processes and day-to-day operations, and those that are disposed of as waste.Topics Initial reviews:– key actions to take. Process mapping:– key steps. Begin to understand where theseresources are used and why and wherewaste is produced.The first step is to understand how yourcompany uses resources (raw materials,components, water, energy, etc) and whywaste is produced; the key outcome being todecide what measurements you need to taketo monitor performance and then to gatherthese data on a regular basis.2.1.1 Key actions to take Have a brainstorming session about yourorganisation and make a list of as manyareas as possible where the activities haveenvironmental impacts. A checklist of thetypes of resources/activities that are likelyto be included is given below.Your collected data will help you to: Walk around your site looking for areas ofresource use, waste and potentialimprovement. Take photographs of obviousareas of waste. track performance over time; and highlight areas for improvement bycomparing your data with established keyperformance indicators.2.1 Initial reviewsAn initial review can help in gathering basicinformation. It will help you to have a betterunderstanding of where resources are used inyour organisation along with an idea of thematerials you dispose of as waste. Thisinformation can be used to inform you aboutthe areas that you need more details on. Inaddition, it can be used to highlightopportunities for quick savings from no-costand low-cost measures or measures with ashort payback period. This will help securebuy-in from senior management to devotemore time and resources into thedevelopment of your monitoring programme.3Outcomes Understand the resources used by yourorganisation and the types of wasteproduced. Draw up a checklist that covers resourceuse, waste produced, what you currently dowith it and any estimates of quantities. Talkto key people in all departments. Determine what information is availablefrom invoices and meters on amounts andcosts for raw materials, utilities and wastes. Estimate the potential savings associatedwith a few of the more promisingopportunities to reduce resource use. Begin to identify where there are gaps inyour data and start thinking about how toaddress them.

DraftChecklist for initial review Utility use (e.g. electricity, gas, water). Fleet transport. Raw material use (e.g. paper, cardboard,packaging, process materials). Staff commuting. Resources disposed of (e.g. food wastefrom canteen, offcuts, excess packaging,paper, cans, bottles).2.2 Process mappingAn initial review will have provided you with aninsight into what resources are used in yourorganisation and where you generate waste.Producing a flow chart of material and wasteflows (a process map) will help you to furtherunderstand how exactly resources are used,and which measurements will help you to savemoney by controlling and reducing waste.2.2.1 Key steps Identify your company’s main inputs andoutputs. Start by looking at your company orsite as a whole and identify the raw materialsand utilities used, and the wastes produced.4 Customer travel. Organisation/process-specific examples. Present this information visually as aprocess map for the site (see Fig 3).This visualisation is a useful tool to be able tovery quickly identify: the material and waste flows you need tomeasure; the areas of the business producing themost waste; the areas requiring priority attention; and waste saving opportunities with the greatestpotential for cost savings.

DraftFig 3 Process map for a sample businessRaw materialsGoodsinPackaging wasteProcessstage 1WaterChemicalsProcessstage 2Emissions to air, effluent, solid wastePackingPackagingPackagingEvaporation, effluent, solid wasteWarehousePackaging waste, damaged productPackaging waste, damaged productProductsoutYour process map will act as the basis orframework for your measuring programme.Once you have completed an accuraterepresentation of your business, the next stepis to add further details into it. Key areas tolook at are:Your process map can then be used to informyou about those areas that you might want tomonitor more closely. It is not necessary tostart monitoring every resource and wastestream straight away. A priority list could bedrawn up to include considerations such as: what materials and resources are beingused/produced at each stage; cost to the business; how much of each is being used/produced; where inputs go and outputs come from;and who could be responsible for measuring.5 priorities identified in your environmentalmanagement system; customer and stakeholder demand; and environmental impact.

Draft3 Stage 2: Collect data and quantifywaste streamsOverviewThis section focuses on methods of assessing the quantities and types of resourceused/waste produced.Topics Sources of data:– taking measurements;– estimating;– financial data and bills; and– mass balances.Outcomes Understand the composition of waste andresources used by your organisation. Identify the sources of data available to you. Quantify resources use/waste produced. assign ownership and responsibility.purchasing records) and these sources couldhave been identified during your initial reviewand process mapping. Table 1 provides anindication of some of the most commonsources of information. However, where thedata are not available or not in a usefulformat, there is a range of techniques that canbe used to provide you with further clarity onyour resource use. Some data can becollected, but some may have to beestimated.3.1 Sources of dataOnce you have an idea of what the inputs andoutputs are for your site, the next step for allbusinesses is to try and add somequantification to the areas you wish to focuson. Some data may already be available onsite (e.g. from existing meters, invoices andPlease note – to allow meaningfulcomparisons, it is important to be able torelate your data about raw materials, utilitiesand waste to a suitable area of occupancy(e.g. office) or unit of production (e.g. weightof product). Therefore, it is important that thisis considered in your monitoring programme.Key facts to remember when collecting data,regardless of the source are: be consistent – make sure the same unitsare used and the data are collected in thesame format; carry out data collection on a regular basis(once a month is recommended as aminimum); andTable 1 Potential sources of informationItemPotential sources of informationProcess inputsRaw materialsWaterEnergyPurchase records, stocktaking, dispensing recordsInvoices, main meter, sub-meters, portable metersInvoices, main meter, sub-metersProcess outputsProducts/by-productsSolid waste/process residuesEffluentEmissions to air6Production/sales figures, stocktakingWaste production records, invoices, disposal/duty of caredocuments, packaging waste forms, stocktaking(e.g. what waste is in the yard, in skips)Meters, invoices, effluent discharge consentsMeters, analyses (of composition), process authorisations,solvent inventories

Draft3.1.1 Taking measurementsThere are likely to be various ways ofobtaining the data you require. The moreaccurately you can measure these, the easierit will be to identify areas of wastage andinefficiency.Table 2 shows the accuracy of variousmethods of measuring raw materials andwastes where there is not a meter availablefor taking direct measurements ofconsumption. Resources that are commonlymetered include water (though check withyour provider as this is not always the caseand some properties are based on rateablevalue), gas and electricity.Table 2 Measurement techniquesItemMeasurement techniqueDeliveriesWeigh delivered materials on calibrated scales or aweighbridge (remember to subtract the weight of the vehicleand/or container).Count the number of bags/drums/tanker loads. If possible,avoid using this method as it is less accurate.DispensedmaterialStock levelsWastes****Weigh small part-filled containers/bags on calibrated scales(remember to subtract the weight of the packaging).***Fit piped systems with accurate flow meters and, wherepossible, use electronic data loggers.***Count the number of metered doses (e.g. being added to amixing vessel).**Decant from large containers such as drums using setmeasures such as litre jugs.**Count the number of part bags/drum loads/shovel loads, etc.If possible, avoid using this method as it is less accurate.*Fit tanks/silos with calibrated electronic level meters (volume)or load cells (weight).***Weigh small part-filled containers/bags on calibrated scales(remember to subtract the weight of the packaging).***Mark transparent containers suchs as intermediate bulkcontainers (IBCs) to indicate fixed intervals and sub-intervals(e.g. 10 litres).**Use dipsticks for containers. If possible, avoid using thismethod but, if used, make sure that they are straight, properlycalibrated and placed vertically into the container (preferablythrough a fixed guide tube).*Weigh your waste or get your contractor to weigh it(e.g. on a vehicle or use a weighbridge).Count the number of full or partly filled drums or skips.If possible, avoid using this method, as inaccurate volumemeasurements then have to be converted to even lessaccurate weight estimates.*** Most accurate; * Least accurate.7Accuracy****

DraftThe key to takinggood measurementsis consistency ofapproach and doingso on a regular basis.Taking direct readings from your meter willprovide the most reliable method ofdetermining usage. However, make sure youunderstand how to read your meter correctlyand check the units as there are severalmeter types in use. The key to taking goodmeasurements is consistency of approachand doing so on a regular basis. Generally,once a month is ideal. However, it may benecessary to do more regular readingsoccasionally to provide greater clarity onconsumption patterns. A useful techniquewhere the site is periodically closed (e.g. atnight or weekends) is to take meter readingsat the start and end of this period to allow youto understand your base-load consumption,which can be a key area to target.Fig 4 Common types of metergreater the confidence that can be placed in avalue estimated from the mean.Key facts to remember when data samplinginclude: sample sizes should be as large as possibleto ensure data are representative; sample over a representative period (e.g.over a whole day, a shift or production cycle)to give the most representative picture; note any assumptions made when scalingup the values (e.g. work 250 days a year vs365 days a year); the accuracy of the data in, equals theaccuracy of the data out – provide as muchdetail as possible in your initialmeasurements.Carry out trialsExperiments or trials can be used to gathersample data. For example, data on liquid flowand evaporation can be gathered simply. Use a stopwatch to record how long it takesfor the level to change in tanks/largecontainers of a known volume. Thismeasurement allows the flow rate to becalculated.3.1.2 EstimatingThe ideal situation would be to monitor everyflow continuously and to measure every singlediscrete item. While it is possible to measuresome items completely, it is generally farmore practicable to take occasional readingsand samples, and to estimate unknowns.However, it is important to derive reasonablyaccurate estimates. The two main ways ofdoing this are outlined below.8Data samplingData sampling provides an approximation tothe result for the whole ‘population’ of data.However, care is needed to obtain arepresentative picture. For example, whentaking samples in groups (e.g. four readingseach day), the mean average of the readingswill give a representative figure for thatperiod. The larger the sample size, the The ‘bucket and stop watch’ approach canbe used for low-pressure flows of nonhazardous liquids. This involvesdisconnecting pipes or opening valves, andtiming how long it takes to fill a container ofknown volume. To estimate evaporative

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