Pennsylvania Resources Council Waste Assessment Program

The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit environmental organization, is the oldest grassroots environmental organization (founded in 1939) in the Commonwealth. PRC works to solve environmental problems by bringing together groups and individuals who share a common concern for the environment and promotes resource conservation through recycling, waste reduction, litter prevention, watershed and air quality awareness.

Mission

PRC’s mission is to promote conservation of our natural resources and protection of scenic beauty through public education and outreach in a collaborative effort with government agencies, businesses, charitable foundations and other nonprofit organizations.

To help businesses, institutions and other facilities work towards sustainable operations PRC offers waste assessments on a fee for service basis.

What is a Waste Assessment?

A general waste assessment has two basic objectives: 1) It establishes baseline data on the facility and its purchasing, waste generation and management practices. 2) It identifies potential waste reduction options.

The approach taken in a waste assessment depends on the objectives of the waste reduction program. At a minimum, it will include a facility walk-through and an examination of facility records. If deemed necessary, it can also include a "waste sort" a physical collection, sorting, and weighing of representative samples of the various waste streams. Prior to the assessment a management decision must be made as to the best type of assessment for a particular facility. This decision is based on the size and complexity of the facility, the number of waste streams, and the resources available to implement the waste reduction program.

The facility walk-through involves touring the facility and grounds, observing the activities in various departments, and speaking key personnel about waste-producing activities and equipment. The walk-through enables the assessor to: 1) observe the types and amounts of wastes produced, 2) identify waste-producing activities and equipment, 3) determine how wastes move through the operation, 4) observe the layout and operations in various departments, and 5) assess current waste reduction activities.

Examining facility records can provide valuable insights into the facility's waste generation and removal patterns. The types of records that might be looked at include: 1) purchasing, inventory, maintenance and operating logs, 2) supply, equipment, and raw material invoices, 3) equipment service contracts, 4) repair invoices, 5) waste hauling and disposal records, and 6) contracts with recycling facilities and the records of any earned revenues from the recycling.

The final stage of any waste assessment is to document the observations and findings. The assessment final report serves several purposes, including providing a record of the facility's current efforts to reduce wastes, establishing baseline data from which to measure feasibility of identified waste reduction options, and to evaluate the impact of options that are implemented. 

If your business or facility is interested in a Waste Assessment please contact PRC at 412-431-4449 X213 to schedule an initial meeting.

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