Introduction to Facility Waste Survey

Overview

This guide offers a detailed overview and instructions for completing the Facility Waste Survey. The purpose of the survey is to standardize the collection of waste data at the facility level, helping companies to align with corporate sustainability reporting standards and fulfill customer requirements. The survey adheres to industry guidelines, ensuring that the collected data is consistent, accurate, and readily usable for corporate sustainability reporting.

Purpose of the Facility Waste Data Collection Survey

The Facility Waste Data Collection Survey serves to:

  1. Collect detailed information on facility waste generation and management practices.
  2. Enable consistent, facility-level reporting for corporate sustainability and responsibility.
  3. Reduce repetitive customer data requests, thus minimizing "survey fatigue."

Period for Reporting

Please ensure that the data requested in this survey covers the most recent 12-month period reported in your corporate sustainability report. This period should align with the annual data presented in your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Sustainability Report. You may need to consult utility bills or internal documents to gather accurate information.

Scope and Boundary

The scope of this survey includes all areas within the facility, encompassing:

  • Business and non-production areas: e.g., office spaces, common areas, and storage zones.
  • Specific operational areas: equipment rooms, wastewater treatment sites, maintenance workshops, and similar locations.
  • Employee facilities: canteens, kitchens, dormitories, hostels, and off-site housing for workers, especially if owned or rented by the company or labor agents.
  • Security rooms and other functional spaces within the facility.

This comprehensive approach ensures that data reflects the full impact of waste generated across all facility areas.

Key Sections of the Survey

The survey is organized into sections, each capturing essential information related to waste management and facility operations.

  1. Introduction & Instructions: Overview of the survey structure, guidelines, and key definitions.
  2. Common Facility Waste Survey:
    • General Information: Basic details about your facility and operational footprint.
    • Waste Data: Specific data on waste generation, categorized by waste type and disposal methods.

Instructions for Completing the Survey

Gather Required Documents:

  • Utility bills, waste service contracts, and records of waste disposal or recycling from the past year.
  • Any data currently reported in your annual Corporate Sustainability or CSR report.

Complete General Information:

  • Enter facility name, location, size, and operational details to provide a full picture of the facility's scale and waste generation potential.

Record Waste Data:

  • Accurately enter data on waste generated, waste diverted (e.g., recycling), and waste sent for disposal (e.g., landfill, incineration).
  • Classify waste according to industry-standard types (e.g., hazardous, non-hazardous) and disposal methods.

Use Standard Units and Definitions:

  • Refer to GRI 306: Effluents and Waste for definitions of waste types, disposal methods, and units of measurement. This ensures that data aligns with global sustainability reporting standards.

Common Questions

Q1. What if our facility doesn’t generate some types of waste?
If certain waste types are not generated at your facility, mark those sections as “Not Applicable” or “N/A” to indicate that these items are not relevant.

Q2. How accurate does the data need to be?
The survey requires the most accurate data available. If estimates are necessary, document the assumptions used in calculations to provide transparency in the reporting process.

Q3. Who can assist with completing this survey?
Your facility's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team or Sustainability team may already have most of the data required. They can also provide insights on waste management practices.

Resources and References

For further guidance on waste categories and measurement standards, refer to GRI 306: Effluents and Waste GRI Standards Download Center.

Completing the Facility Waste Data Collection Survey is an important step in aligning with standardized sustainability practices. For further assistance, please contact the help desk team at helpdesk@responsiblebusiness.org.