WASTE CHARACTERIZATION STUDY

Transcription

1 WASTE CHARACTERIZATION STUDY Prepared by: Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council # th Street West Saskatoon, SK S7M 0W9 1

2 Table of Contents 1. Background: Objectives: Findings Summary Methodology Results... 6 a. Annual Waste Projections Recommendations Cost Analysis Conclusion APPENDIX A: Description of Material Sorted Table 1: Waste Characterization Summary... 3 Table 2: Categories of Material by Weight and Percentage of Total Waste... 6 Table 3: Projected Annual Waste Generated that is Recyclable and non-recyclable... 7 Table 4:Recommendations for Waste Reduction... 8 Figure 1: Waste Characterization Summary.. 4 Figure 2: Majority of the garbage that was collected during a single week of Legacy operations... 4 Figure 3: A large portion of recyclable paper was packaging paper... 4 Figure 4: SWRC Staff Using Digital Hanging Scale to Weigh Garbage... 5 Figure 5: Waste Sorting Station

3 1. Background: Legacy Bus Sales is Saskatchewan s Blue Bird and Micro Bird bus sales dealer, Cummins Diesel service centre, and services buses as well. The Saskatoon operation has eight staff. Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC) is an organization that promotes waste reduction to all sectors. SWRC is in the process of developing a waste consultation service to assist businesses to reduce waste and waste-associated costs. Legacy agreed to participate in a waste characterization on April 4, 2016 to help SWRC refine its process. 2. Objectives: There were three main objectives to this waste characterization: to quantify the amount and type of Legacy s waste to help the SWRC fine-tune its waste consultation and audit process to provide Legacy with a cost estimate, based on the audit results, for adding a recycling program to their operations. 3. Findings Summary A team from SWRC conducted a waste characterization of one work week (5 days) of garbage. Figure 1 shows the results by category: LEGACY WASTE CHARACTERIZATION: PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT Misc. 12% Gravel 9% Paper & Cardboard 31% Organics 2% Foam 12% Textile (Vinyl) 9% Plastics 8% Bathroom waste 0.3% Figure 1: Waste Characterization Summary Metal 4% Glass 13% 3

4 Typically, Legacy s services involve mechanical and upholstery maintenance of school buses, leading to a significant amount of cardboard, glass and foam waste. The materials were sorted into ten categories, their descriptions are outlined in Appendix A. Cardboard waste was mostly from mechanical parts packaging. Legacy s paper waste was generated from the front office. Glass consisted of broken bus windows. It was a small part of the waste stream by volume, however, the few pieces that were collected were quite large and heavy, which accounts for their large representation. Compact foam from bus seats was the third largest waste stream. Overall, bathroom waste was the smallest waste generations with less than one percent. Figure 2: Majority of the garbage that was collected during a single week of Legacy operations Figure 3: A large portion of recyclable paper was packaging paper 4

5 4. Methodology Initially, a site walkthrough was done to highlight Legacy s garbage disposal concerns. Garbage was collected from Monday, March 28 to Friday, April 1. Sorting was done on Monday, April 4. Garbage was sorted into ten categories and weighed using a digital hanging scale (See Figure 4). Figure 4: SWRC Staff Using Digital Hanging Scale to Weigh Garbage Figure 5: Waste Sorting Station 5

6 5. Results A total of Kg of waste was sorted, of which 43% of is currently recyclable in Saskatoon. Material Total Weight (kg) Percentage (% of weight) Paper and Cardboard Plastic Window Glass Metal Bathroom Waste Textile Foam Organics Dirt Misc % 8% 13% 4% 0.3% 8% 12% 2% 9% 12% Table 1: Categories of Material by Weight and Percentage of Total Waste Drink containers were not included in the waste audit because Legacy staff members collect them and return them for deposit. Organics, primarily from lunchroom waste, constituted a relatively small portion of the waste stream with roughly 2% represented in the sample collected. Gravel was mostly dirt debris that accumulates on buses as they come into the Legacy s shop for servicing. Gravel debris represented 9% of material. Foam material was mostly the by-product of upholstery maintenance work on bus seats. Foam was generally compact and came in pieces roughly 18 inches by 26 inches. The foam was often wrapped with vinyl and represented 12% of waste. Foam and textiles are not currently accepted for recycling in Saskatoon, but they can technically be recycled. It sufficient quantities were available, a local recycler like Loraas might be able to find a market for these materials. This would require a cooperate effort with other bus/vehicle maintenance shops as it is unlikely Legacy would be able to generate enough material on its own. Textile material in Legacy s bus stream was mostly vinyl from bus covers. Textiles represented 9% of Legacy s waste stream. Bathroom waste was mostly used paper towel and tissue paper that is non-recyclable. Bathroom waste was basically negligible representing 0.3% of Legacy s waste stream. Despite having a recycling bin for metals on site, metals such as nuts, bolts, washers and housing components represented 4% of Legacy s waste stream. These metals could be included as part of the metal recycling program that is currently in place. 6

7 Glass was a significant source of waste by weight, representing 13% of total waste stream. Glass material was mostly window panels that were unacceptable for bus use according to safety regulations. Plastics number 1 through 7 were collected as one sample. Plastics represented 8% of the total waste stream collected. Plastics included beverage containers, plastics cups, and some plastic wrapping material. Paper and cardboard were collected as a single category and were the largest portion of waste in legacy s waste stream, representing 31% of total waste collected. Cardboard was mainly from packaging for parts, whereas paper was mostly office paper. a. Annual Waste Projections Projected Annual Waste of Recycable and Non-Recycable Material Misc. 627 Gravel 477 Recyclable Non-Recylable Organics Foam Textile (Vinyl) Bathroom waste Glass Metal Plastics Paper & Cardboard Weight in Kilograms (kg) Table 2: Projected Annual Waste Generated that is Recyclable and non-recyclable Table 2 above outlines the projected annual waste generated based on a 52-week work schedule. No week is completely typical, there will always be some variation when applying it to an annual assessment. Legacy s operations vary significantly in the summer and non-summer months, as buses are mostly serviced in the summer when they are not in use. The waste assessment week fell on Easter break when school was out, so the waste generated was closer to the summer waste stream than it otherwise would have been. 7

8 Table 2 also shows materials that are recyclable and non-recyclable, an estimated 2,970 Kgs of total material can be recycled in Saskatoon. 6. Recommendations Action Material Benefit Rationale Introduce a recycling program: - Add a recycling bin in front office and receiving area - Designate a cardboard recycling area for receiving bay Optimize metal recycling program: - Place small bin for metals in shop area to be included as part of existing metal recycling program **Glass recycling program Paper Cardboard Plastic All recyclable metals including: Nuts Bolts Washers Housing All Glass Table 2:Recommendations for Waste Reduction Reduce dependence on garbage bin and associated disposal costs Increase metal recycling and reduce metals in garbage bin Reduce glass in garbage bin, reduce ecological waste footprint Paper and plastic account for 39% of total waste stream Metal accounted for 4% of waste stream. Glass accounted for 13% of total waste. Recycling glass can save space and weigh in garbage bin * *Currently, Pavement Scientific International (PSI) Technologies is reviewing the possibility of initiating a glass recycling program, where glass can be re-processed and re-used. The potential for the program can greatly reduced Legacy s waste stream, however, there is currently not a definite agenda. PSI Technologies can be contacted at after May 30 th, 2016 to get a better understanding of their plans for glass recycling. 8

9 7. Cost Analysis Legacy s current disposal costs are $ monthly; this includes a single 6 cubic yard garbage bin that is emptied weekly. Introducing a recycling program for Legacy operations has the potential to save money, given that almost half of the current waste stream is recyclable. Scenario 1: Garbage Recycling Bin Size Option 6 Cubic Yard 4 Cubic Yard Frequency of Pick-Up Bi-weekly Bi-weekly Cost (including taxes) $ $66.15 Total Cost $ Monthly Savings $69.85 Annual Savings $ Scenario 2: Garbage Recycling Bin Size Option 4 Cubic Yards 4 Cubic Yard Frequency of Pick-Up Bi-weekly Bi-weekly Cost (including taxes) $99.75 $66.15 Total Cost $ Monthly Savings $ Annual Savings $1, Scenario 3: Garbage Recycling Bin Size Option 6 Cubic Yards 4 Cubic Yard Frequency of Pick-Up Bi-weekly Weekly Cost (including taxes) $ $ Total Cost $ Monthly Savings $25.75 Annual Savings $ Scenario 4: Garbage Recycling Bin Size Option 4 Cubic Yards 6 Cubic Yards Frequency of Pick-Up Weekly Bi-weekly Cost $ $84.00 Total Cost (including Taxes) $ Monthly Savings $20.50 Annual Savings $

10 The most cost effective scenario is number 2, with an projected annual savings of $1, However, if reducing garbage bin size may not be an option, then scenario 1 is most applicable, with a projected annual savings of $ Conclusion By altering simple procedural practices Legacy Bus Sales Ltd. has the potential to reduce waste associated costs and adopt environmentally conscious practices. By introducing on-site recycling bins and encouraging staff to actively participate, Legacy operations could divert waste by roughly 39%. To facilitate the introduction of the recycling program, small recycling bins must be placed in the front office and receiving area. It is also recommended that the receiving bay should have a designated location to sort and process cardboard and package paper once new shipments arrive. Staff must be trained to recycle paper and cardboard adequately after receiving is complete, including material separation and compacting. The simpler the recycling process for the staff, the more effective the results. The recycling program has the potential to reduce waste-associated costs by 10-40%, ranging from $20-$106 monthly and to encourage environmental responsible practices (Savings vary depending on the disposal and recycling options outlined in Section 7 above). PSI Technologies is also considering establishing a glass recycling program that may be used by Legacy, the details are outlined above in the results section. 10

11 APPENDIX A: Description of Material Sorted Material Description Paper & Cardboard Plastic Glass Shredded and whole paper from front office, and packaging cardboard from parts and receiving area Plastics 1-7 including: Beverage containers, plastic wrapping and cups Glass panel from bus windows Metal Bathroom Waste Any metallic material: Washers Nuts Bolts Light Housing Used, non-recyclable paper towel and tissue paper Textile Fabric, mostly vinyl material from seats Foam Compacted foam from cushions/ bus seats Organics Food waste from lunchroom Gravel Dirt debris and dried mud Miscellaneous Any material that did not get sorted into a specific category, or materials that are nonrecyclable such as plastic filament, oil filter, wood and wires. 11