Miljøprojekt, 1056 – Videreudvikling og udbredelse af affaldskortlægningsmodellen

It may be worthwhile paying extra attention to the waste generated by enterprises. In fact, enterprises may well save money. The electronic tool, Affaldsøkonomi, can help enterprises find ways to reduce wastage and improve recycling.

The volume of waste and the types of waste generated by enterprises change over time, and so do the prices charged by carriers as well as the market for recycling waste products. Therefore, there is a risk that enterprises will loose track of the financial aspect of waste.

The purpose of this project was to transform the printed model for charting waste, developed by KPMG for the Danish Environmental Protection Agency in 2001, into an electronic tool with functions that enable enterprises to manage and analyse waste data and to print out the statutory waste data. Also, the project was to create a public knowledge bank containing ideas and inspiration on waste minimisation to be shared between enterprises, consultants and supervisory authorities.

In order to develop the waste charting model in line with the wishes of the users, KPMG arranged five workshops throughout Denmark, comprising 60 enterprises, 12 municipalities and waste companies and one county.

In the workshops, the enterprises were introduced to the model and received input on waste minimisation and resource optimisation.

The enterprises' experience on the charting and analyses function of the tool was presented, and the other enterprises provided feedback as well as input as to how to avoid hazardous waste.

Finally, the individual enterprises presented their focus areas and action plans and provided ideas and input for the continued development of the waste charting model.

The general impression was that enterprises want an electronic tool to enable them to update waste data continuously, to export waste data to the environmental report, and to print out waste data based on the data registered.

By means of the four elements of the waste charting model: charting, analysis, proposed improvements and action plan, the enterprises quickly get an overview of the volume of waste generated and the financial aspects involved, as well as of potential cost-cutting measures. The benefits most easily attainable are typically improved sorting, changed carrier agreements or requirements for other types of packaging from the suppliers. However, the greatest advantages may be achieved when enterprises focus on waste and recycling of waste products in the production process.

An electronic version of the Affaldsøkonomi waste charting model has been developed as a tool to provide an overview of waste volumes and the economic viability of waste, as well as to generate the statutory waste data. The model is aimed at all enterprises generating waste to an extent that may justify further consideration.

When using Affaldsøkonomi, it becomes easier to chart and analyse costs and to get a general view of potential improvements. The potential savings differ from enterprise to enterprise, but experience shows that most enterprises can reduce waste and optimise waste management.

A large number of enterprises have gained experience from waste minimisation by using Affaldsøkonomi.

Below, we provide some examples of simple improvements that have generated good results.

Case: Hempel A/S

"When we charted which processes generate waste, among other things we became aware that in the pearl-mill process approx. 20 l paint is discarded in each production run. The waste is attributable to the fact that unmixed raw materials run into the drain pipe for further processing. Before the product can be further processed, the unmixed paint therefore has to be be drained off and discarded.

This may be avoided if an "actuator" is mounted under each vat so that the pipe is closed when a new production is started. The savings potential is DKK 100,000 annually in raw materials procurement and disposal."

Eva Larsen, HSE Co-ordinator

Case: Jem & Fix

"At Jem & Fix, we examined all the carrier vouchers and found that, because we had an agreement on weekly collections from all the outlets, we sometimes had empty or almost empty containers. Jem & Fix chose to change carrier and entered into an agreement according to which containers were only collected when the outlet had requested collection. The expected saving is in the amount of DKK 100,000 annually. In addition, approx. 600 less invoices will have to be processed."

Lasse Riisgaard, Environmental manager

Case: Odense Renovationsselskab A/S

Odense Renovationsselskabs A/S' business consultant assisted the enterprise by charting the different types of waste and containers in the enterprises by means of the waste charting model.

The volume of waste suitable for incineration was large, and by relocating the containers in the enterprise, more waste could be used for recycling. The majority of this waste consisted of clear plastics and rubber. It is expected that about 8% more clear plastics a year will be collected for recycling.

The enterprise has two types of rubber waste – vulcanised rubber and unvulcanised rubber. Both types have previously been sent for incineration. For vulcanised rubber, a receiving station has now been found that can recycle this rubber. The vulcanised rubber is granulated with a view to resale. The enterprise expects to be able to send approx. 99 tonnes of vulcanised rubber a year to recycling, of which approx. 40% is returned to the enterprise's own production.

This has generated major savings, as a minor quantity of rubber will be sent for incineration, and part of the granulated rubber will be recycled in the enterprise's own production and will replace new raw materials. The enterprise has achieved savings and more space, as improved sorting has resulted in a reduced number of rented containers.

Jimmy S. Bækholm, Business consultant

Affaldsøkonomi has been developed by KPMG and the program was developed by Rambøll for the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

At Videncenter for Affald on www.affaldsinfo.dk, you can download the Affaldsøkonomi electronic tool and the waste charting model in a pdf version, or you can obtain inspiration from the index of ideas where all enterprises, consultants and supervisory authorities can exchange ideas and tips on waste minimisation.

Summary and conclusions