Page 247 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

DATA COLLECTION PROCESS 225

14.3.2 POPULATIONS, SAMPLES, AND
SAMPLING METHODOLOGY

A simple random sampling procedure was used for this survey. Each of the 99 SIC
code groups represented a different population (N ), where i represents the SIC code
i
group (1–99). Each business group (i) represents a different population (N ) because
i
each business grouping generates different types of waste. For example, a metal-
stamping plant primarily generates materials such as metal scrap, wastewater, and
pallets; whereas a commercial printing business primarily generates paper waste and
ink waste. The underlying assumption is that similar businesses produce similar types
of waste.
A list of U.S. companies was complied for each SIC code group and each company
was given an ordered number. The ordered list was created from an Internet data ware-
house that stores U.S. corporate information (www.superpages.com). This Internet
warehouse utilizes a directory format and offers extensive search options by business
category. A random number generator was then used to select the needed number of
surveys for each population. Each organization was contacted via Internet, phone, or
personal visits to determine whether the company was willing to participate in the sur-
vey. After confirmation was received, each firm was sent a survey by mail, fax, or
e-mail (according to the respondents’ preference).

14.3.3 SURVEY DESIGN

A three-page survey form was developed to collect information from companies
regarding their waste generation rates (based on the data requirements). Human factor
concepts were utilized to develop a short and easy to understand survey form. The
form was printed on a bright colored paper to attract attention. The survey form format
was based on similar surveys conducted by two solid waste management districts in
Ohio. One survey form was developed and used by the Green County solid waste man-
agement district (courtesy of Mr. Robert Snow). This survey form was used for over
190 successfully completed mailings/returns. The second survey form was developed
by Fayette/Highland/Pickaway/Ross solid waste management district (courtesy of Ms.
Lorna Abbott) and used for over 130 successfully completed mailings/returns. The
survey form was pretested and finalized before it was sent to all the sample groups.
The finalized survey form is displayed in Fig. 14.1.

14.3.4 PRETESTING
The survey instrument developed for this research was pretested to gather feed-
back and critique before the finalized survey was mailed. The survey was pre-
tested on a group of 15 industrial contacts and members of the Working Council
for Employee Involvement (WCEI) recycling committee. The WCEI recycling
Committee consists of environmental representatives from 28 Northwest Ohio
corporations. The survey was sent to each previously contacted member request-
ing he or she complete the survey and provide positive and negative feedback on