Always obtain full commitment from senior level staff before embarking on a waste management project.
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Stage 1 - preparation
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1.
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Prepare and organise audit team
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Select staff from all departments and levels of the organisation
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2.
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Divide processes into unit operations
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Who has responsibility for each area of the business?
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3.
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Create process flow diagrams
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Link the unit operations to gain a clear picture of the whole business
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Stage 2 - material balance
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4.
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Determine process inputs
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Measure water, raw material and energy inputs
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5.
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Record current levels of recycling / reuse
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Remember to include factory floors, offices and canteens
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6.
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Measure process outputs
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Quantify products and by-products including wastewater, gaseous emissions and off site wastes
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7.
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Derive a material balance
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Use input and output information, evaluate and refine the balance
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Stage 3 - synthesis
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8.
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Identify waste reduction options
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Target and characterise problem wastes
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9.
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Investigate waste segregation
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Try colour coding waste streams and grouping like materials together
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10.
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Identify long-term waste reduction measures
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Prioritise problem wastes, and try to eliminate hazardous wastes by substitution
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11.
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Evaluate waste reduction options
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Environmental and economic evaluation of waste reduction options
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12.
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Waste reduction action plan
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Design, plan and implement. Choose 'easy wins' first to achieve fast results. Don't forget staff training, report results company wide
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Follow these simple steps to carry out a waste audit. Think long term when considering process and clean technology investments. Always try to eliminate hazardous chemicals by substituting with less harmful ones, or making process changes.
