How to Create Your 6 Step Waste Management Plan
A waste management plan is a written record of what must be done to complete a project in a clean and legal way. The waste management plan for each of your projects will vary depending on the specifications for each job and site. Creating a waste management plan is typically the responsibility of the main contractor unless the subcontractors have sole responsibility for their waste, in which case they should complete their own waste management plan. Specifications can be developed for bid/contractor packages, which outline procedures for salvage, reuse, and recycling. This type of plan can also be used to provide clients with details of actual reuse, recycling, and disposal of waste. To get you started on creating your own waste management plan, here are 6 steps to keep in mind.
Designate Responsibility
Assign one person to be responsible for managing waste on site. This will ensure that the waste management plan is followed correctly and completely. It is important for the person in charge of waste disposal to be enthusiastic about and dedicated to their task. Although one person should be in charge of enacting the waste management plan, reducing construction site waste is a team effort and it is important that individuals know their responsibilities.
Establish Project Goals
Goals set for a project can be as broad or as specific as needed. Broader goals such as recycling or making proper waste management a priority can help everyone that is involved stay on the same page. By specifying smaller objectives, such as certain protocols or set deadlines, you and your team will be able to keep your project on track.
Create an Estimate
Being proactive during the planning phase of waste management can prove especially helpful down the line, when the cleanup process begins. By forecasting the types and percentages of waste that will be produced, preparing the necessary means of disposal will be easy to estimate, reducing any last minute additions. Various industry averages are available online to help you best gauge your project’s specifications.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Consider the 3 R’s when creating your waste management plan. Make sure to thoroughly describe the ways in which your project will abide by recycling and reuse methods. Identify the possibilities for reuse and recycling for each type of waste that is created and describe where, when, and how to handle waste materials. Roll off dumpsters are a great resource for repeated discarding of trash in a more environmentally friendly way than traditional black garbage bags. Creating a site plan with key areas marked off will assist with efficiency throughout the project’s duration.
Determine Waste Logistics
Large construction projects typically produce various types of wasted material, therefore various ways of discarding waste must be thought out before material begins to accumulate on site. Identify the waste destinations and transport methods needed, including what materials should be separated on site for reuse or recycling. A current list of recycling operators in the site office can act as an easy reference if problems should occur with disposal.
Track Your Progress
Creating a plan of any kind is useless if you do not follow it. Create and keep records of everything from the amount of waste produced to relative costs and savings of disposal. Receipts from previous projects can be useful in planning future projects for reference. One tip we recommend when creating your waste management plan is to work your way back from the project’s deadline. By doing this, you can properly designate goals with achievable deadlines to complete the project on time.
Optimize Your Waste Management Process with Help from Cali Carting
Waste management isn’t just tossing your trash at the end of your project – the process needs to be individualized so you can ensure that all waste will be disposed of properly and that you can focus on your project without stressing about the waste it produces. Renting a dumpster from Cali Carting allows you to leave the waste management to us while you focus on the rest! Easily dispose of waste from your next residential or commercial project in our 10 yard, 15 yard, 20 yard, or 30 yard roll-off containers. All waste, including recyclable materials, will be disposed of properly once it leaves your property! To learn more about our dumpster rentals or how we help those throughout NJ manage their waste in an eco-friendly way, please contact us today!
