Page 175 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

STEP 7: DETERMINE, EVALUATE, AND SELECT WASTE MINIMIZATION ALTERNATIVES 153

Equipment manufacturers and vendors are another source of information to gener-
ate alternatives. The downside to this source is a bias toward the vendor’s own prod-
ucts. Nonetheless, this source is a good method to identify equipment-related options
and provide installation assistance.
Consultants are another resource to generate alternatives. A consultant with envi-
ronmental experience and industry-specific knowledge can be a very valuable asset to
an organization’s waste minimization efforts. The downside is the added cost to con-
tract with a consultant, because the information will rarely be given free of charge.
Team brainstorming sessions are another alternative. Brainstorming is a group cre-
ativity technique designed to generate a large number of ideas for the solution of a
problem. Throughout the early stages of the project, the team will have of answer
several what, why, and how questions. Brainstorming can accomplish this goal.
Following is a list of general brainstorming rules:

■ Collect as many ideas as possible from all participants with no criticisms or judg-
ments made while ideas are being generated.
■ All ideas are welcome, no matter how silly or far out they seem. Be creative. The
more ideas the better because at this point you don’t know what might work.
■ Absolutely no discussion takes place during the brainstorming activity. Talking
about the ideas will take place after brainstorming is complete.
■ Do not criticize or judge. Don’t even groan, frown, or laugh. All ideas are equally
valid at this point.
■ Do build on others’ ideas.
■ Do write all ideas on a flipchart or board so the whole group can easily see them.
■ Set a time limit (i.e., 30 minutes) for the brainstorming.

Benchmarking may also be used to generate ideas. Benchmarking is defined as the
concept of discovering what is the best performance being achieved, whether within
the team’s company, by a competitor, or by an entirely different industry. Benchmarking
is an improvement tool whereby a company measures its performance or process
against other companies’ best practices, determines how those companies achieved
their performance levels, and uses the information to improve its own performance.
Data for benchmarking can be achieved from company visits, annual reports, or Internet
searches. Often times, team members have colleagues in other companies and indus-
tries who can provide these data. Data can also be collected from regional committees.
For example, in northwest Ohio, a multiorganization recycling committee was formed
by a local nonprofit group that meets monthly to discuss environmental challenges and
successes. At the monthly meeting, lunch is provided and new members are welcome
at no cost. Also at the meeting, each member provides a status update of his or her
company’s environmental efforts, process changes, and issues with which the company
could use assistance.
Each waste minimization alternative should be documented to facilitate the screen-
ing and review process. A simple spreadsheet that records the name of the alternative,
a brief description, the author with contact information, and sources (if any) is a very
useful tool. Figure 8.22 is a sample spreadsheet that may be used.