Page 133 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

7

METRICS AND PERFORMANCE

MEASUREMENT FOR SOLID

WASTE MANAGEMENT

7.1 Introduction

Accurately measuring solid waste minimization performance and tracking trends is a
critical step for a successful program. Measurement is needed before a company can
begin to manage and improve the solid waste problem. Without knowing a starting
point, or baseline measurement, it is very difficult to develop a plan to meet organiza-
tional waste minimization goals. This chapter addresses this issue and discuses the various
metrics to evaluate solid waste generation and minimization performance. The metrics
can be broken down into three categories

1 Environmental impact in terms of solid waste emission rates
2 Business and financial performance
3 Voice of the customers and stakeholders

The remaining of this chapter will address these three categories and discuss their
role in developing a strong solid waste minimization program.

7.2 Solid Waste Quantity

Measurement

Measuring and tracking solid waste generation trends and the performance of individual
companies is critical to its successful management and reduction. For any process
improvement, an accurate data-driven baseline must be created and monitored to

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