Page 319 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

BENCHMARKING AND EVALUATION 297

relation to industry standards when they are producing significantly above or below
the determined waste generation levels for their industry, represented by their respec-
tive waste group.
After establishing the performance parameters and determining if a company is out of
control several actions can be taken. First, if the performance parameter indicates the
company is below the determined waste generation level, the company should be praised
so that best practices can be replicated for similar companies to reduce waste levels.
However, if the performance parameter indicates the company is above the determined
waste generation level, the company should be investigated so that better waste reduction
efforts can be taken up.
Performance parameter analyses were conducted on the 20 waste groups to inves-
tigate similarities of highest 5 percent and lowest 5 percent of waste generators for
each waste group. This was conducted to identify trends in terms of independent vari-
ables and materials generated among the highest and lowest waste generators.
Manufacturing waste groups explained by three significant variables (number of
employees, landfill disposal cost per ton, and ISO 14001 certification) and non-
manufacturing waste groups explained by one significant variable (number of
employees) were analyzed separately. Tables 17.1 to 17.4 display the results. The
columns labeled higher/lower than average material generation lists the waste mate-
rial composition percentages that were significantly higher (more/less than 5 percent)
than the averages for the waste group discussed. An analysis of the higher/lower than
average waste generators is discussed at the conclusion of this chapter. Case studies
discussing the application of the performance parameters to two companies are pro-
vided later in the book.
As shown by the tables, the manufacturing waste groups (three significant variables)
showed some convincing similarities among high waste generators. Specifically, high
waste generators were not ISO 14001 certified, had lower than average disposal costs,
and generated larger than average composition percentages of wood and cardboard
(container waste). Low waste generators were opposite, in that most were ISO 14001
certified, had average disposal costs, and generated lower than average amounts of
wood and cardboard. Low waste generators also had higher recycling levels than high
waste generators. This is to be expected because recycling levels were correlated with
disposal cost and ISO 14001 certification as discussed earlier.
Nonmanufacturing waste groups (one significant variable) also showed similarities
between high waste generators, but not as strong as for manufacturing waste groups.
Most high waste generators produced higher amounts of mixed office paper (MOP) and
some packing materials. High waste generators also had lower recycling levels than low
waste generators. Again, as in the manufacturing waste groups, low waste generators
displayed opposite trends.
The next chapter discusses the integration of the environmental model, which
includes the performance parameters discussed in this section. Chapter 20 discusses
two case studies, which apply the performance parameters and provide specific details
on waste generation performance.