Journal of Environmental Management (1998) 53, 137–146
Article No. ev980204
A case study of an institutional solid
waste environmental management
system
W. A. Dowie†, D. M. McCartney‡∗ and J. A. Tamm§
An institutional solid waste environmental management system (SW-EMS) developed and implemented at
the Whiteshell Laboratories of Atomic Energy Canada Limited in Pinawa, Canada, has been reviewed. The
case study demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of a simple, low-cost SW-EMS. In 1994, the
institution launched a Go Green in the Workplace Programme. First, a waste audit was conducted to assess
waste minimization opportunities and to measure the amount of waste generated at the institution. New
waste minimization initiatives were then put in place and a second audit was conducted in 1996. A new
audit methodology, using visual assessment units, reduced the cost of measuring the waste materials.
These units were developed for each material and then used to measure the amount of waste being
generated. Weight or volume units were not used in the audit. Results of the audits showed an increase in
recycled units, from 3% in 1995 to 71% in 1996. The total units of waste generated increased by 29% in
1996. This was due to a 108% increase in the number of cardboard boxes in 1996. Overall the findings
suggest the SW-EMS was successful in significantly reducing the waste sent to the landfill. The success
was due in a large part to the involvement of all the stakeholders during the initial waste audit. This SW-
EMS also demonstrated what can be achieved with limited staff and financial resources. The new audit
methodology, however, did not allow for easy comparability to other institutions because the units are site
specific. As most waste reduction targets are based on weight, it was recommended that a study be
completed to determine the weight of each of the visual assessment units. The data could be used to
convert the visual assessment units into weight equivalents. Further recommendations for improvement to
the SW-EMS were: (1) a new audit strategy should be developed that accounts for the variability of the
waste generation data; (2) the mixed waste stream should be characterized; (3) an on-site composting
strategy should be implemented; and (4) the Purchasing and Accounting departments should become more
involved in the programme.
1998 Academic Press
Keywords: institutional, solid waste audit, waste minimization.
†BDE Consulting Group,
Inc., 286 Ronald Street,
issues. This paper reviewed one institution’s
Introduction
Winnipeg, Manitoba,
SW-EMS and its approach to achieving the
Canada, R3J 3J8
50% diversion goal.
‡Department of Civil &
Using 1988 as the base year, the Canadian Solid waste audits are critical to the success
Geological Engineering,
Council of Ministers of the Environment of a SW-EMS. Audits should accomplish the
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Manitoba,
(CCME) set a solid waste diversion goal of following: (1) determine the weights of waste
Canada, R3T 5V6
50% by the year 2000. This was interpreted generated; (2) discover what is in the waste
as 50% of the total weight going to landfills stream and its origin (waste character-
§Atomic Energy Canada
Limited, 2251 Speakman
in 1988. Most institutions have implemented ization); and (3) develop an action plan for
Drive, Mississauza,
solid waste minimization strategies as part improvements (Hammer, 1995). Another goal
Ontario, Canada L5K 1B2
of their overall environmental management of a SW-EMS audit is to develop a formal
∗Corresponding author
system (EMS). The term solid waste en- approach in the reporting format. Five para-
vironmental management system (SW-EMS) meters have been identified for inclusion in
Received 13 January
was defined in this paper to include all the an environmental report: (1) relevance;
1997; accepted 24
January 1998
components of an EMS relating to solid waste (2) understandability; (3) verifiability;
0301–4797/98/020137+10 $30.00/0 1998 Academic Press