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Chapter 7 |
| Tracking Materials and Cost Benifits |
Tracking the campus waste stream and cost benefits of recycling is an important component of managing a recycling program. Tracking the breakdown of the waste stream into garbage, hazardous material, compost, and recyclables is a valuable method for monitoring the efficacy of the program. Other information that is valuable to track includes: revenue generated from selling recyclables, savings from reuse programs, use of volunteers and academic interns, and cost avoidance from reducing trash costs. This information is invaluable in terms of keeping records for program monitoring and improvement, legitimizing funding needs, demonstrating the success of the program, projecting budgets, and being able to compare to other colleges.
Utilize tracking mechanisms in reporting to the campus administration and state. Share and compare this information with other colleges, especially locally, in an effort to assess how well the program is doing. Critically review tracking records in order to assess progress, labor requirements, and areas of potential program improvements.
Tracking is a laborious process and requires a regular time commitment. Build tracking into a paid position so that one staff member is responsible for maintaining the program tracking system. This is a technical duty.
Creating a Tracking Mechanism
Microsoft Excel is a good software program to utilize when developing a tracking mechanism. If possible, create a “program staff only” shared file on the server. Within that folder, create a “tracking” folder where all of the relevant information can be easily located. Besides a folder on tracking, this shared file can contain endless folders relating to other valuable program information that the staff needs to access.
Tips for Creating a Program Waste stream Tracking Template
- *Determine what is being tracked
- *Research which areas generate which materials
- *Track waste reduction through annual comparisons of overall waste generated campus wide. It is impressive to see the results of educational campaigns on recycling and waste reduction. Remember that waste reduction overall saves the college garbage costs (hauling and dump fees, vehicle maintenance, dumpsters, etc.)
- *Track as many separate areas as possible, for example: housing, administration and student union buildings, and architecture studios. The more information you can keep track of, the better you will be able to monitor your program, access costs, determine labor needs, program strategies and long range goals.
- *Take totals from the following categories to make up several charts and graphs that reflect various combinations of information:
- -Separate materials (chart for paper, another one for kitchen recyclables, dorm recyclables etc.)
- -General Recyclables bar chart with different materials represented in several bars per year
- -Comparative chart with recyclables vs. garbage
- -General Recyclables bar chart with different materials represented in several bars per year
- -Collective charts reflecting all years of operation
- -Revenue, cost avoidance, and savings charts
- -Individual program charts (i.e. if you have a reusable office supply exchange, you can track cost savings monthly and make a chart for annual and long term savings.) This type of chart is added insurance for program longevity.
- -Contract areas. This will help you assess actual charges realistically and give customers a true understanding of where their costs are coming from
- * If a tracking mechanism is being developed, it is helpful to incorporate formulas that demonstrate greenhouse gas mitigation from waste recovery.
These are just a few examples of the infinite possibilities for creating an extensive tracking system for a campus recycling program. The more tracking, the better. Utilize tracking to internally benchmark the campus recycling program to meet program, university, state, and federal goals. Spreadsheets, charts, and graphs will be important tools for demonstrating program success.
Resources
EPA Recycling Rate Worksheets
http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/tools/recmeas/docs/guide_d.pdf
EPA Waste Division- Measuring Source Reduction
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/payt/pdf/sera.pdf
EPA Waste Tracking Worksheets
www.epa.gov/waste/partnerships/.../pubs/br-excel-instructions.pdf
Flexible Packaging Association Source Reduction FAQs
http://www.flexpack.org/public/source_reduction_faqs.asp
Gadget Lab- MIT Trash Tracking Project
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/07/mit-trash-track/
MassDEP Municipal Waste Reduction Toolkit and Recycling Related Websites
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/28375966/Recycling-Related-Websites
University of Oregon Campus Recycling Material Tracking
http://www.uoregon.edu/~recycle/PrgmStru_material_text.htm
