Tools and techniques for small and medium enterprise (SME) waste reduction and engagement

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Tools and techniques for small and medium
enterprise (SME) waste reduction and engagement

• Jem Hansen
• Senior Environmental Consultant
• 360green

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Overview

• About SMEs CI waste
• The problem
• Some programs
• The opportunity
• Behaviour change
• Recommendations

"People dont understand what a recycling bin is!
How thick are some of these people?
Dont know why there is no recycling, previous
managers didn't have it...
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Warning you will be asked
In one minute or less, what is the biggest
success you have had in engaging SMEs on waste
management?
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About SMEs

• 1-199 employees
• Approx 2,000,000 in Australia, 650,000 in NSW1
• 99.7 of active businesses in Australia1
• Employ 70 of Australias workforce1
• 1 SME Australia (incl micro and CD)

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CI waste

• In NSW 08/09
• 38 of total disposed waste
• 52 recovery
• Recovery rate for plastics from CI waste was
  only 8 for wood 16 for food waste 18 and
  for both paper/cardboard and glass 53 2
• The NSW 2014 Waste Strategy recycling target for
  CI waste is 63
• 2 NSW DECCW 2011, Reducing Waste Implementation
  Strategy 20112015

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The problem

• Recycling should be a standard behaviour for
  business, but instead its considered optional,
  something for those who want to do a little
  more.

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The problem

• SMEs are
• Geographically spread
• Diverse in operations and waste types
• Time poor
• Abundant and many are small
• difficult to reach and engage

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The problem

• SMEs have a strong financial imperative
• Waste disposal costs are not high relative to
  operating budget
• Perception that improved waste management will
  increase costs
• Perception that its hard to set up or manage
• no motivation

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The problem

• Lack of space for infrastructure (internal and
  external)
• developing and implementing planning guidelines
  requiring best practice waste infrastructure to
  increase resource recovery from new or renovated
  large commercial facilities, such as shopping
  centres and office buildings, by 31 December
  2011 2
• Problem wastes eg styrofoam, plastic packaging,
  pallets
• 2 NSW DECCW 2011, Reducing Waste Implementation
  Strategy 20112015

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Some programs

• Midwaste Small Business Waste Reduction Program
• Retail trade, manufacturing,
• accommodation and food services
• Survey, trial, toolkit
• 5 step process
• Step 1 Document current services
• Step 2 Site assessment (current practice)
• Step 3 Opportunity review
• Step 4 Waste reduction action plan
• Step 5 Implementation and review

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Some programs

• QLD Govt reThink Business Waste Services Program
• 750 subsidy
• Review and introduce a new resource recovery
  service
• 7334 available, 55 used
• QLD Govt reThink Business Waste Equipment Program
• 40 rebate on items from catalogue

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Some programs

• NSW EPA SME waste assessment tool
• Supported pilot program underway
• DIY visual assessment and electronic tool
  generates action plan
• Fact sheets industries and materials
• Focus on ten priority materials aluminium,
  cardboard, e-waste, food waste, garden organics,
  glass, paper, plastic film, plastic rigid, steel,
  wood and timber

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Input?
In one minute or less, what is the biggest
success you have had in engaging SMEs on waste
management?
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The opportunity

• There are many resources available
• Programs and instructions
• Contacts www.businessrecycling.com.au
• Signage templates OEH and above
• Many are services available
• These services are usually cheaper (increasingly)
• Source separation need not be difficult

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The opportunity

• But we need to increase awareness to provide
  motivation

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Behaviour Change

• 5 stages
• Awareness of problem and need to change
• Motivation to make a change
• Skill development to prepare for the change
• Initial adoption of the new activity or behaviour
• Maintenance of the new activity and integration
  into lifestyle

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Organisational Change
Change the message from do the right thing to
its available, its cheaper, its not hard if
you do it right!
Kurt Lewins Force Field Analysis (simplified)
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Input?
In one minute or less, what is the biggest
success you have had in engaging SMEs on waste
management?
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Recommendations

• Raise awareness!!
• Services available
• Price differential evidence (typical ?)
• Support is available for establishing effective
  systems
• using targeted education, communication and
  partnerships to improve waste avoidance and
  resource recovery by businesses, for example, by
  conducting a series of targeted education
  campaigns to promote waste reduction and
  recycling at work as well as at home 2
• 2 NSW DECCW 2011, Reducing Waste Implementation
  Strategy 20112015

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Recommendations

• Provide the support
• Tools for self-assessment
• Signs and staff engagement methods
• Internal source separation equipment (rebates?)

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Recommendations

• Use approaches similar to residential campaigns
• Regional cooperation
• Mass media
• Multiple communication channels

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More tips

• Problem wastes
• Develop recovery systems
• Info on alternative product/material options
• Encourage use of waste reduction policy on
  display so they get some recognition and they
  help you spread the word
• If working one on one, offer a free service
  rather than participation in a program!

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Jem Hansen Senior Environmental
Consultant 360green Phone [phone] Fax 02
6585 3620 Mobile [phone] Email
jem_at_360green.com.au Web www.360green.com.au