Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential tools for companies seeking to gain better control over their waste generation and management, while actively pursuing their environmental sustainability goals.
These metrics provide critical insights that allow decision-makers to monitor progress, identify inefficiencies, and develop more targeted and effective strategies for waste management and sustainability.
In this article, we’ll explore how KPIs can support waste-producing companies in their journey toward more responsible, efficient, and circular waste management models.
Why waste measurement matters in a sustainability strategy
Measuring waste output is a key step in embedding sustainability into corporate operations and optimising resources. In an era of mounting environmental challenges and increasing regulatory scrutiny, access to accurate, real-time data transforms waste management from a compliance task into a strategic business opportunity.
By leveraging well-defined KPIs, companies gain a clearer picture of their performance, uncover operational gaps, and make informed, data-driven decisions, paving the way toward more efficient business models.
Guide to Identifying and Implementing the Most Relevant KPIs for Large-Scale Waste Producers
1. Understanding the impact of waste generation at companies
- Identify the volume and types of waste produced across operations.
- Understand and ensure compliance with all relevant waste management regulations.
- Calculate the carbon footprint associated with waste transport and treatment.
- Maintain access to reliable, first-hand data for reports, audits, certifications, and internal oversight.
- Ensure the traceability of waste, from its origin within the facility to its endpoint.
- Monitor the costs and revenue linked to the waste value chain within the business.
2. Basic criteria for selecting effective KPIs
- Relevant: KPIs aligned with the company’s strategic objectives and environmental compliance goals.
- Measurable: metrics based on data that can be consistently and accurately collected.
- Comparable: indicators that can benchmark performance against internal targets or industry standards.
- Actionable: KPIs that generate practical insights that inform decision-making.
3. Essential KPIs for waste management in companies
Operational KPIs
- Total waste generated (in tonnes, kilograms, or cubic metres)
- Quantity of hazardous vs non-hazardous waste produced (in tonnes, kilograms, or cubic metres)
- Percentage of waste sent for recovery (recycling, reuse, etc.) vs disposal (landfill, incineration, etc.) (%)
- Volume of waste managed by each waste manager
- Duration of hazardous waste storage
- Number of waste collections or disposals carried out per month
Strategic KPIs
- Carbon footprint associated with waste treatment and transportation
- Waste management cost per unit of production (€)
- Added value generated through waste management
- Progress toward waste reduction targets
- Reduction of waste by operational area (%)
4. How to incorporate KPI tracking into waste management
- Initial diagnostics
Begin by analysing the internal waste value chain to assess the current state of waste management in your organisation.
Key areas to evaluate include:
- Types and quantities of waste generated by each area or process.
- Waste production, storage, and transportation practices.
- Validity of documentation with waste managers.
- Operational risks associated with waste management.
- Level of engagement from employees involved in the process.
- Use of tools for data recording and monitoring.
- Compliance with current regulations and standards.
- Data collection and process digitalisation
Implement specialised software to digitalise data collection and analysis. Automation improves data accuracy, enables real-time insights, and supports more effective decision-making.
- Setting clear goals aligned with corporate strategies
Establish specific, measurable objectives that align with broader sustainability goals. For example, aiming to reduce landfill-bound waste by 20% over the next three years.
- Training and internal engagement
Provide training and raise awareness among all personnel involved in the waste value chain about the importance of waste reduction.
5. Challenges and opportunities in measuring waste generation
Common challenges
- Lack of accurate data or measurement systems
- Limited knowledge on how to leverage available data
- Low levels of digitalisation in waste management processes
- Internal resistance to process changes
- High implementation costs of data analysis tools
Opportunities for improvement
- Digitalisation of the waste value chain
- Adoption of circular economy strategies
- Reduction in operational costs
- Enhanced corporate reputation
- Avoidance of penalties by ensuring regulatory compliance
- Valorisation of by-products: generating revenue from waste
- Improved traceability across the waste value chain
How Teimas Zero can help companies measure waste management KPIs
Effectively implementing KPIs for waste control is key to improving operational efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advancing toward more sustainable business models.
TEIMAS Zero offers a robust solution by centralising all waste-related information and documentation, automating the tracking of waste managers’ activities, and providing real-time monitoring of waste production across all company facilities.
With Zero, companies can customise reports and dashboards tailored to both day-to-day operations and audit requirements. Here are a few examples of TEIMAS Zero platform features related to waste control KPIs for large organisations:
- Monitoring waste management costs per product
- Calculating the carbon footprint of waste transport and treatment
- Accessing real-time dashboards for continuous performance insights
- Ensuring full compliance with waste management regulations
- Tracking critical metrics such as waste volume, frequency, and type
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