Waste Diversion and Disposal by Industry
This report evaluates the diversion and disposal practices of different industries in an attempt to provide a complete picture of their waste management practices. It outlines the site selection process, data collection procedures, and provides a summary of results — including key opportunities for additional diversion -- for each industry type.
The study addressed fourteen industry groups including restaurants, large hotels, building material and garden stores, retail stores and shopping malls, public venues and events, and large office buildings.
Diversion was quantified through employee interviews and on-site inspections of recycling systems. Disposed waste was measured through dumpster accumulation, waste disposal records, and employee interviews. Disposal and diversion rates were calculated according to pounds per employee, or as appropriate for business type.
This information will be useful to local governments as well as businesses as they implement or refine their diversion programs. This report can be useful for cities to start targeting businesses that have the potential to boost diversion rates for certain materials. This study could also potentially act as a tool for mapping collection routes that include industrial zoning.
