Page 94 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

72 BACKGROUND AND FUNDAMENTALS OF SOLID WASTE ANALYSIS AND MINIMIZATION

The institute develops and sponsors technical and management workshops and con-
ferences. The CWMI staff also produces reports, audio-visual, and computer-based
training materials. The CWMI houses a publication library with over 5700 reference
materials and is open to the public. A database of the library materials can be accessed
and searched through the CWMI Web site.
This project is similar to the WAMRP in that both integrate colleges and govern-
ment agencies to increase environmental awareness. The primary difference rests in
the focus of each project. The WAMRP focuses on no-cost waste assessments and the
CWMI focuses on waste characterization.

Institute on Recycling (Indiana University) The Indiana Institute on
Recycling, a state-run agency, was created in 1989 by the General Assembly of
Indiana. It is located at Indiana State University, in Terre Haute, Indiana. The institute
developed concepts, methods, and procedures for assisting Indiana residents in reduc-
ing and recycling solid waste. The institute has conducted over 90 solid waste reduc-
tion studies with emphasis on cost-benefits. The studies have developed economical
and environmental solutions for companies to address specific solid waste issues at
their facilities; for example, cost analyses on the use of reusable shipping containers.
The institute is similar to the WAMRP in that both are supported by state funding,
utilize college students to conduct the studies, and apply economic benefit analyses as
an incentive for companies to reduce waste. The primary difference is that the institute
addresses very focused, specific waste reduction needs of companies covering a broad
range of areas and the WAMRP specifically conducts solid waste audits to characterize
the companies’ waste streams and target areas for reduction.

Total Assessment Audits (Iowa State University) In 1993, Iowa State
University and the Iowa Energy Center developed a Total Assessment Audit (TAA)
project that conducted energy, waste reduction and productivity audits simultaneously
for manufacturing facilities (Haman, 2000). The TAA concept originated from the
belief that a manufacturing facility is better served using a holistic approach to prob-
lem solving rather than the more conventional isolated approach. The TAA approach
assumes energy, waste reduction, and productivity objectives are interrelated and that
simultaneous evaluation will produce synergistic results.
The TAA methodology utilized in Iowa has evolved over a 6-year time frame and
utilized on 25 audits. The TAA procedure emphasizes top management support and
the use of cross-functional teams. Benchmarking exercises and energy usage analyses
have been conducted to begin the audit process identify improvement opportunities.
An initial 2- to 3-day on-site audit is conducted with the aid of key facility operating
and management personnel. The TAA team members are paired with the appropriate
facility personnel to collect specific data, gather a working knowledge of operations,
and identify opportunities for improvement. Workshops are conducted at the end of the
day to exchange information and are structured to encourage open discussion and
debate regarding the merit of each identified opportunity.
The TAA method is a very powerful tool for small- and medium-sized manufacturers
and identifies and evaluates improvement opportunities, while accounting for the