WHAT IS A WASTE AUDIT?

•  A waste audit is a formal, structured process used to quantify the amount and types of waste being generated by an organization. Information from audits will help identify current waste practices and how they can be improved.

What were the objectives of the audit?

•  to determine composition and quantities of waste being generated •  to measure effectiveness of existing waste management systems •  to identify opportunities for improving waste management systems and strategies •  to collect baseline data for measuring the effectiveness of waste minimization strategies

HOW DID WE DO IT?

•  We (Qiongwen) collected all office trash and recyclables over a 2-day period •  Bags were separated and labeled:

o  Upstairs vs. Downstairs o  workstation trash o  workstation recycle o  common area recycle o  common area trash o  kitchen trash o  kitchen recycle

•  All bags were then sifted trough and the contents separated based on actual trash, recycle, compostable, or hazmat materials •  Recyclables were separated into paper, plastic, glass, or aluminum •  The contents were then weighed and the data was recorded and sent to the NSA

HOW DID WE DO IT?

WHAT DID WE FIND?

WHAT DID WE FIND?

Top 10+ Things Learned from the K&A Waste Audit

# 10.5 50 % of all waste

is white paper

# 10 mostly from the plotter

# 9 8% of all materials were

ACTUALLY recyclables that were NOT recycled

# 8 Architects and Engineers are smart..

but on occasion lack common sense

# 7 12% of total waste is food

and paper towels

# 7 12% of total waste is food

and paper towels

yes these cans were actually in the trash

# 7 12% of total waste is food

and paper towels

if only we had hand towels!

# 7 12% of total waste is food

and paper towels

Oh, wait…WE DO!

# 7 12% of total waste is food

and paper towels

perhaps some in the bathrooms too might cut down on waste?

# 6.75 People @ K&A really like bananas..

# 6.5

..Snapple..

# 6

..and Lean Cuisines

# 5 We go through way too many plastic bags

# 5 mostly from

Wawa

# 4 We generate lots of trash

from our severe coffee habit

# 4

perhaps we can buy quarts of creamer and use spoons instead of stirrers?

We generate lots of trash from our severe coffee habit

# 3.5 14% of all waste is binders/samples

# 3

..oh, and windows

# 2 Forget 401Ks, everyone should invest in Wawa

# 2 Forget 401Ks, everyone should invest in Wawa

# 2 Forget 401Ks, everyone should invest in Wawa

# 2 Forget 401Ks, everyone should invest in Wawa

# 2 Forget 401Ks, everyone should invest in Wawa

# 2 Forget 401Ks, everyone should invest in Wawa

# 1 Overall Grade

C+

# 1 Overall Grade

C+ We don’t want to be “average” K&A is BETTER than average!

Ideas:

•  we are checking to see if the Borough offers a composting plan

Ideas:

•  we are checking to see if the Borough offers a composting plan •  consider eliminating the creamers and straws

Ideas:

•  we are checking to see if the Borough offers a composting plan •  consider eliminating the creamers and straws •  have containers of reusable or plastic bags available at the door(s) for people at lunch

Ideas:

•  we are checking to see if the Borough offers a composting plan •  consider eliminating the creamers and straws •  have containers of reusable or plastic bags available at the door(s) for people at lunch •  consider using hand towels or installing hand- dryers in bathrooms

Ideas:

•  we are checking to see if the Borough offers a composting plan •  consider eliminating the creamers and straws •  have containers of reusable or plastic bags available at the door(s) for people at lunch •  consider using hand towels or installing hand- dryers in bathrooms •  ANY ADDITONAL SUGGESTIONS??

Top 10+ Things Learned from the K&A Waste Audit