If you need help sorting and counting, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District can help.
The regional district has developed a Business Waste Audit Tool Kit that is available for any business within the regional district to borrow.
“The kit has step-by-step instructions and everything you need to do the audit,” says waste reduction facilitator Carmen Fennell. “It is geared to any type of commercial business, whether it is an office, retail, or food-based.”
The audit involves going through one day’s worth (or several days’ worth) of refuse and sorting it into appropriate piles.
The kit provides a tarp, gloves, bags, labels, a scale and an assessment form.
“Once you realize how much material can be diverted by recycling, the amount of waste can often be reduced drastically,” says Fennell. “Not only does that mean saving money by taking fewer loads to the landfill, but it also helps the environment by diverting material that can be recycled.”
A few months later, businesses can repeat the process to gauge improvements.
Helping businesses find ways to reduce waste was one of the recommendations of the 2009 Solid Waste Reduction Plan.
“This is one way the CSRD is helping businesses reduce what they are sending to the landfill. We are even prepared to help if it is needed.”
The regional district will publicly recognize a business that has taken the time and effort to do the audit and shows they are sending less refuse to the landfill.
The CSRD will be creating and presenting a sustainability award to the business that takes a real leadership role in promoting sustainability.
For more information on the CSRD’s Business Waste Audit Tool Kit, visit the their website at www.csrd.bc.ca or contact Carmen Fennell, waste reduction facilitator, at 250-833-5936.
