Baxter CVG Case Study

Chapter 2: Methodology

The Solid Waste Assessment

On November 11, 1997 a solid waste assessment of CVG was conducted. This involved a thorough analysis of ongoing source reduction, recycling and disposal activities. A waste assessment is conducted to identify how and where waste is generated, the composition of the waste, and what currently happens to the waste (Establishing A Waste Reduction Program: p. 40). This process involved the following four steps:

1) A Facilities Walkthrough
The facilities at CVG were evaluated. Some points of interest included the indoor recycling bins, the cafeteria, the production lines, the outdoor waste bins, and the outdoor recycling bins. The purpose of the facilities walkthrough was to develop an understanding of the logistics of CVG’s waste reduction program.

2) Analysis of Waste Hauler Records
Every waste hauler is required to keep disposal records for each of its clients. These records include frequency of collection, sizes of containers, weights and costs. This data from Waste Management provided much of the basis for this case study’s results.

3) Analysis of In-House Records
Every year, CVG publishes a State of the Environmental Program Report. This report details not only solid waste reduction, but all environmental programs undertaken by CVG for the year. This report includes detailed information concerning disposal and recycling tonnage and cost.

4) Analysis of Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) Applications
The WRAP applications give a general overview of solid waste reduction programs, and demonstrate CVG’s progression from 1992-97.

Data

After the solid waste assessment was completed, the data were evaluated. The following four types of data were used in this case study:

1) Raw Data
From the facilities walkthrough, a first hand analysis of the solid waste flow for a typical day at CVG was obtained. For example, the number of waste bins at CVG was confirmed from this walkthrough. This raw data helps to support the information in the hauler records. The calculations in Figure 2.1 demonstrate how annual paper recycling was computed from the number of bins, the amount of waste per bin, the weight of waste per cubic yard, and the pickup schedule.

Figure 2.1: Calculations for Annual Paper Recycling

2) Monthly Averages
Based on hauler records for 1997, monthly averages were obtained. This was done by adding the tonnage of waste from the hauler’s records, and dividing by the number of months in which data was available. Figure 2.2 exemplifies typical hauler records.

Figure 2.2: Hauler Records

3) Historical Averages
In some cases, CVG did not have sufficient records for 1997 concerning certain waste components. In those cases, a historical average was obtained by taking amounts from previous years and averaging the amounts to obtain a 1997 estimate.

4) Company Estimations
In certain instances, a lack of record keeping for a certain waste component creates the need for an estimate. Clearly, this is the least accurate way of gathering data, but necessary to account for a certain waste component. For example, CVG donates a large amount of office furniture to local schools and charities. Due to logistical reasons, this office furniture was not weighed prior to the donation and therefore a conservative estimate of 5 tons per year was used.

Looking Ahead

The purpose of chapter 2 was to show how the data for this report was gathered and interpreted. Having accomplished this, the next chapter utilizes this data to present a chronological evaluation of CVG’s solid waste reduction program. This chronological evaluation will demonstrate the economic benefits and document the evolution of CVG’s solid waste reduction program

Chapter 3: Economic Feasibility>>>

Last updated: November 01, 2007