Action Steps

When analyzing audit results, look for missed recycling and source-reduction opportunities. Note the number of recyclables that are thrown in the trash, as well as recurring waste that could be eliminated completely. For example, if paper towels are a major component of the unrecyclable waste stream, consider installing efficient hand dryers. (See the

Both landfill waste and recycling waste must be audited, along with any other streams.

Project teams must physically go through the garbage and recyclables to conduct the audit. Shortcuts such as extrapolating the recycling rate from generic data of similar-sized buildings or rule-of-thumb figures are not acceptable approaches.

Inform the housekeeping staff that, when collecting waste for the audit, they should maintain the separate streams that currently exist. For example, if your building individually collects commingled recyclables, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and general garbage, the housekeeping staff should maintain those separate collections during the audit. 

Determine the best time period over which to collect the waste sample. Typically, project teams audit the amount of waste generated over the course of a standard 24-hour day (not a holiday or half-day). Buildings should collect a sample over a longer time period if they expect significant variation from day to day—the key is to pick a day or time period that is actually representative. Do it right so you get something out of it. 

In planning the audit, include all  the diverse waste flows that may be generated in the building. These may include:

Plan your audit by determining:

• who will conduct the audit,
• how the materials will be collected for auditing,
• where and when the sorting will happen,
• and how you will measure the various components of the waste stream.

The staff responsible for overseeing the policy should communicate regularly with all service providers, review product and equipment orders, and conduct regular building and site inspections and evaluations to ensure that the policy is functioning as intended. 

Contractors involved with various elements of the policy and the IEQc3.1 program carry out their tasks according to contracts, and report all relevant activities to the building management.

The policy must meet the minimum content requirements as defined in the USGBC’s two-page memo, “Policy, Program and Plan Models for LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance.”