BP10: Waste Management Plan

Official language

Achieving a high diversion rate usually requires a multi-pronged strategy that creates a culture of waste minimization and establishes desirable waste management behavior. Formalizing a waste management plan integrates information about the equipment, procedures, and communications strategies that need to work together in order to achieve high diversion rates.

This best practice intends to help the building operator support the elimination of adverse environmental effects caused by products and materials acquired, used, and disposed of for the normal operations of the business.

 

Objective

Create and implement a solid waste management plan that includes strategies for waste collection and diversion for items acquired for the normal business operations along with a plan to communicate proper waste diversion habits to building occupants.

Submittal Requirements

The following are the required submittals in order to fulfill the objective of this best practice.

  • A waste management plan policy for the building or tenant-controlled space that includes:
    • Purpose: clear statement of why the plan exists  and how it will support the overall sustainability goals of the organization.
    • Start Date: the plan’s effective start date.
    • Scope: activities covered under the plan.
    • Goals: intended outcomes including waste diversion goals.
    • Responsible Parties: person(s), vendor(s), or department(s) responsible for implementing certain sections of the plan.
    • Guidelines: procedures to implement the plan including waste diversion guidelines  and handling of hazardous materials.
    • Strategies: methods or techniques used to enhance implementation of the plan including alignment with green purchasing strategies and how waste diversion guidelines are communicated to occupants and contracted service providers.
    • Performance Metrics: procedures on quantifying the success.
    • Tracking: method of verifying adherence to policy guidelines and monitoring its success.
    • Continual Improvement: process for promoting and implementing ongoing improvements to waste diversion practices.

Implementation Guidance

For additional details and recommended steps for implementing this best practice, please see the BIT Building Program Manual.

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BIT User’s viewpoint

Frequently asked questions

Online resources

Implementation toolkit

Achieving a high diversion rate usually requires a multi-pronged strategy that creates a culture of waste minimization and establishes desirable waste management behavior. Formalizing a waste management plan integrates information about the equipment, procedures, and communications strategies that need to work together in order to achieve high diversion rates.

This best practice intends to help the building operator support the elimination of adverse environmental effects caused by products and materials acquired, used, and disposed of for the normal operations of the business.

 

Objective

Create and implement a solid waste management plan that includes strategies for waste collection and diversion for items acquired for the normal business operations along with a plan to communicate proper waste diversion habits to building occupants.

Implementation Requirements

For additional details and recommended steps for implementing this best practice, please see the BIT Building Program Manual.

Submittal Requirements

The following are the required submittals in order to fulfill the objective of this best practice.

  • A waste management plan policy for the building or tenant-controlled space that includes:
    • Purpose: clear statement of why the plan exists  and how it will support the overall sustainability goals of the organization.
    • Start Date: the plan’s effective start date.
    • Scope: activities covered under the plan.
    • Goals: intended outcomes including waste diversion goals.
    • Responsible Parties: person(s), vendor(s), or department(s) responsible for implementing certain sections of the plan.
    • Guidelines: procedures to implement the plan including waste diversion guidelines  and handling of hazardous materials.
    • Strategies: methods or techniques used to enhance implementation of the plan including alignment with green purchasing strategies and how waste diversion guidelines are communicated to occupants and contracted service providers.
    • Performance Metrics: procedures on quantifying the success.
    • Tracking: method of verifying adherence to policy guidelines and monitoring its success.
    • Continual Improvement: process for promoting and implementing ongoing improvements to waste diversion practices.
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