Australia’s growing commitment to reducing waste nationwide has driven many businesses to rethink their waste disposal and management strategies. However, in many large facilities, the reality is waste management often remains an overlooked priority.
Additionally, many facility managers face challenges such as inefficient waste sorting, lack of tenant participation, and the delicate balance between sustainability goals and operational costs. These issues often result in excessive landfill contributions and missed opportunities for cost savings. However, with a well-structured zero-waste strategy, property owners can transform waste reduction into a competitive advantage.
In this guide, our facility management experts at Connect Facilities will guide you through key principles, common challenges, and actionable steps to eliminate waste in your facilities, paving the way for a greener, more efficient future.
What Does Zero-Waste Mean for Facilities?
The Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) defines a zero-waste facility as one that diverts at least 90% of its waste from landfills and incineration through prevention, reuse, recycling, and resource recovery strategies. Rather than reducing a facility’s landfill contributions, zero-waste strategies aim to eliminate waste at every stage of a facility’s lifecycle.
Achieving this level of waste reduction, however, necessitates more than simply adding more trash bins. It demands a strategic rethink of procurement, facility operations, and tenant engagement. For instance, a warehouse or industrial facility that implements an efficient reverse logistics system can significantly reduce waste by returning, reusing, or refurbishing materials instead of discarding them. By doing so, they have already taken a critical step towards waste elimination.
Facilities that fail to adopt zero-waste principles often face costly consequences as waste disposal costs continue to rise across Australia. Additionally, many state regulations, such as Victoria’s Recycling Policy, are pushing businesses toward circular economy models. Non-compliance can result in penalties, not to mention the reputational risk of being perceived as an unsustainable operation.
Key Steps to Achieve Zero Waste in Facilities
Conduct a comprehensive waste audit and set reduction goals
This is the cornerstone of an effective waste-reduction strategy. It involves analysing all waste streams within a facility to determine their sources, volume, and disposal methods.
Key components include:
- Identification of Waste Types: Categorise waste into operational waste (e.g., food scraps, packaging, office supplies), construction and demolition debris (e.g., wood, metal, concrete), and hazardous waste (e.g., chemicals, electronic waste).
- Quantification of Waste: Measure the volume and weight of each waste category to understand the scale of waste generation.
- Assessment of Disposal Methods: Evaluate current waste disposal practices to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
Once the audit is complete, facility managers can set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) waste reduction targets. These targets should align with both sustainability goals and regulatory requirements to ensure progress is measurable and compliant.
Prioritise waste prevention at the source
Eliminating waste before it enters the facility is one of the most effective strategies for achieving zero waste. This proactive approach involves:
- Sustainable Procurement: Collaborate with suppliers to minimise packaging and opt for products that are durable, reusable, or recyclable.
- Inventory Management: Optimise inventory levels to prevent overstocking of disposable products, thereby reducing waste from expired or unused items.
- Process Redesign: Modify operational processes to eliminate waste generation. For example, transitioning to digital documentation can reduce paper waste.
Optimise recycling and resource recovery programs
While waste prevention is important, facilities will inevitably produce some waste that must be managed responsibly. Enhancing this process includes the following key points:
- Efficient Waste Segregation: Implement clearly labelled and strategically placed waste stations to facilitate proper sorting of recyclables, compostable, and landfill waste.
- Onsite Composting: Establish composting programs for organic waste, particularly in facilities with significant food waste, such as hospitality venues and commercial kitchens.
- Partnerships with Specialised Recyclers: Collaborate with recycling providers that specialise in handling complex waste streams, such as electronic waste and construction materials.
- Utilisation of Waste Tracking Technologies: Employ waste management software to monitor waste generation and diversion rates.
Engage tenants, employees, and stockholders
Sustainability initiatives often fail due to a lack of participation from tenants and employees. A zero-waste strategy must include education and engagement programs to ensure that all stakeholders understand and follow waste reduction protocols.
Facilities management teams can introduce:
- Tenant green leases that include waste minimisation clauses.
- Employee training sessions on proper waste segregation and sustainable practices.
- Incentive programs, such as reduced service fees for tenants who actively reduce waste output
Creating a culture of sustainability within the facility ensures that waste reduction efforts are sustained over the long term.
Leverage facilities management expertise
Achieving zero waste is a complex process that requires expertise in waste handling, regulatory compliance, and sustainability reporting. Facilities management services streamline this process through thorough and ongoing waste audits and compliance assessments, implementing modern waste-reduction strategies, and coordinating with sustainability partners.
Outsourcing waste management to these professionals ensures building owners that their facilities remain environmentally responsible and cost-effective.
Achieve Building Sustainability Through Zero Waste Strategies
Achieving zero waste in facilities is a long-term commitment, but with a structured approach, it is both financially and environmentally rewarding. Working with facilities management experts who are just as committed to sustainability as you are will streamline the process and ensure you achieve a greener and more sustainable facility prepared for the long haul.
At Connect Facilities, our sustainable waste management solutions are tailored to meet your facility’s unique needs. This allows our expert team to implement zero-waste strategies that align with industry best practices and compliance requirements.
Contact us today to start your journey towards building sustainability.