Waste minimisation is a team effort
October 1st 2005 By Martin Gibson, programme director, Envirowise
Like all successful business practice, the key to putting in place an effective waste minimisation programme is good teamwork.
Senior management buy-in is a crucial first step for companies wanting to improve their resource efficiency (and their bottom-line).
However, only by ensuring that employees from all areas of a business are involved can waste minimisation be integrated into the organisational culture.
A good starting point is to appoint a Champion to coordinate and facilitate the waste management programme. The Champion should be able to provide the key focal point for communications, resources, action, programmes and training to create the conditions for success.
In smaller companies the Champion is often the MD or Production Manager, while larger companies usually appoint a Champion who is familiar with staff processes as well as technical and quality issues. Alternatively larger companies may appoint a number of champions with responsibilities for different parts of the waste minimisation programme and a single team leader to report in to.
Ultimately it is not critical which area or level of a company a Champion comes from as long as they have credibility across the business, demonstrate enthusiasm for the role and have the ability to motivate and organise staff. Poor staff awareness of waste issues is a common barrier to businesses making resource efficiencies.
Champions must engage with all employees at the start of the waste minimisation programme if they are to alter attitudes and motivate change.
Sharing the facts is crucial. Staff need to know the value of the materials they are handling and the cost of frequently taken-for-granted resources such as water and energy.
Talking about potential savings in £s is more meaningful than quoting percentages and helps bring home the impact of waste on profits.
Encouraging employees to participate in developing the waste minimisation programme and allowing them to select roles and responsibilities helps to establish a sense of ownership and ensure that things get done. When given the capability and resources to participate in improvement programmes, it is employees who can often find the greatest efficiency improvements and cost savings.
Ideally waste minimisation teams should be cross-functional - people with a range of roles and experiences will bring different skills and ideas. A mixed team will also help to ensure that ideas for improvements take into account impacts on staff across the business and solutions can be implemented that are acceptable to everyone.
Once an initial action plan has been agreed, it takes constant effort to keep staff interested and motivated to reduce waste.
Organisations should consider ongoing activities that demonstrate senior management commitment, such as an internal waste bulletin, regular team briefings and inclusion of waste management issues in training programmes.
Incentive schemes - whether a financial payment, small prize or personal recognition - can also be extremely effective in maintaining momentum. Companies may choose to reward individuals or teams for meeting waste reduction targets or coming up with the best suggestion to improve resource efficiency. Most importantly, ideas and achievements should be publicised to enthuse others.
By embedding waste minimisation in all parts of the business and developing a clear, shared vision for change, companies can make significant improvements and save as much as £1000 per employee. When it comes to resource efficiency, a passionate and committed workforce is an organisations greatest asset - don't let yours go to waste.
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