Your waste data gives you a simple overview of how well your company is sorting and managing waste. Focusing on a few key numbers is enough to get useful insights.
The most important things to look at are:
- Total general waste
This shows how much general waste your office produces overall. General waste cannot be recycled, and often ends up being incinerated or in a landfill. - Recycling rate
This shows how much of your waste is being sorted for recycling instead of going to general waste. The higher the recycling rate, the better! - Waste streams
This shows how your waste is distributed across different types, such as paper, plastic, and general waste - but also less used ones such as batteries and light bulbs. The more waste streams your company uses, the better.
When reviewing your data, it is usually more helpful to look at trends over time than at one single period. Small changes from one period to another are normal, but larger or more consistent changes can show that something has improved or that something needs attention.
Your waste data can also help explain what you see in practice. For example:
- High levels of general waste may mean that recyclable waste is not being sorted correctly
- A low recycling rate may show that there is room to improve sorting habits
- Changes in waste streams over time can help you understand whether your efforts are working
A good approach is to focus on one thing at a time. Start with one simple goal, such as improving your recycling rate or reducing general waste, and follow your progress over time.
