
Having economically viable and responsible waste management is more than just managing the everyday waste with your recycling expert. It is just as much about to change perspective and taking control of the entire production process. This can give you a complete picture of the material flows, from when enters your business until it leaves – no matter whether it does so as a product or as waste. Setting goals for the management of waste or residual products can make it easier to get a correct overview of your situation.
Up the waste hierarchy
One goal that is directly linked to waste management is how much of the recycled, incinerated or other wastes can be lifted in the waste hierarchy. These movements (including quantities of wastes lifted) can be measured and compared. And any lifting in the waste hierarchy can also be easily used in your sustainability communication. Another type of goal is the amount of transport and logistics required for waste management. How it is handled and packed will affect for example, the number of waste transport and the transport weights. This, too, can be set into usable and progressive goals.
Another goal may be to reduce the total amount of waste produced. By setting targets for how much waste is generated per manufactured product, this becomes more specific. Visualizing progress in the work environment can facilitate employees’ understanding and how they can contribute to improvement. In addition to measuring the total amount of waste, it is also important to monitor the cost and revenue of the waste. Some materials have a waste value, while other waste must be treated as a cost. Both can be important when setting goals.