What business owners should know about centralized vs. decentralized waste management programs

How centralized management programs can help companies better manage their waste. 

Multi-location business owners and managers ask the question all the time: “Is it better to manage our waste program centrally at headquarters, or distribute management responsibility to the individual site locations?” While every company is different, the most successful waste and recycling reduction programs for multi-location operations are managed centrally, with clear communication flowing down to each site.

Why is this?

Central oversight allows for program management efficiencies, best practice sharing and trend spotting. But central oversight does not mean a one-size-fits-all approach. While centralized program management includes standardizations made across similar facility types, it also includes localized applications made at the site level. In fact, centralized programs only prove successful when solutions are tailored to fit the unique needs of each location. This is due to four key location-based factors: infrastructure, legislation, site layout and waste stream types.

Factoring in infrastructure

North America’s waste processing and treatment infrastructure is decentralized, with single-provider or “franchised” market restrictions in many locales, making available waste and recycling solutions differ greatly from one location to another. Similarly, one state or municipality may have facilities that accept most commonly recyclable materials, while another may not accept glass, paper or certain plastics. When goals are set centrally in an organization, it’s important to adapt the strategy to fit various types of infrastructure available for each site.

Keeping up with legislation

Regulatory compliance and legislation, as well as government grants and funding, are critical to the success of any waste and recycling program.

For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Advanced Biofuel Payment program provides federal funding for anaerobic digesters. Meanwhile, at the state level, programs such as the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) provide much-needed funding through state-administered grant programs, such as the California Organics Grant Program. Having a central management structure, with site-level adaptations, can help businesses take advantage of all the opportunities available to them at each location.

In addition to funding opportunities, federal and local legislation may require special collection and disposal of certain materials (e.g., hazardous waste, e-waste, and organic waste). States such as California and Massachusetts, as well as hundreds of cities and counties across the country, have established local solid waste reduction and recycling laws in an effort to divert more material away from landfills.    

Staying abreast of changes in legislation and varying mandates and regulations across multiple locations can prove challenging and time consuming, yet it is critical to avoiding regulatory violations, potentially heavy repercussions and even reputational and brand management issues. Fortunately, some collection providers offer regulatory alerts to customers with multi-state, national or international operations to help keep them aware of regulatory or legislative changes that might impact their operations.

Site layout and source contamination

Variations in site layout can greatly impact waste and recycling operations at each site and the equipment used. For instance, large compactors and balers may prove beneficial in a distribution or warehouse location, but could be problematic in a small back-of-store location.

Similarly, if a business has locations within managed retail developments, such as a mall or shopping center, the success of certain waste solutions could be contingent upon the approval and support of the property manager or landlord. Whenever possible, waste and recycling conversations should occur prior to occupancy and as part of the leasing negotiations with the property.  Many companies today have real interest in access to non-landfill options, thus, many landlords are adapting to the evolution in business and consumer preferences.

Front-of-store variables must also be considered, such as bin placement and signage to guide employees and customers in proper waste disposal habits. Source contamination is a common obstacle in waste reduction programs at the site level, which can be avoided with proper front-of-store solutions for each location. Education starts at the C-suite, with buy-in coming at all levels of the company.

Variables in waste stream types

The types of waste streams produced at a business can fluctuate seasonally or with changes in the business. Similarly, locations with public waste receptacles should be prepared for uncontrolled variables in the waste stream. Being aware of public impact, as well as changes in procurement or business strategy, helps prevent issues or interruptions in waste reduction programs and operations. For example, a change in supplier packaging could result in significantly more cardboard waste than a site’s current waste services or equipment is prepared to handle. Preparing well in advance prevents material overflow or gaps in services. Similarly, businesses expanding to new locations often require new services, such as construction and demolition (C&D) waste removal. C&D requires roll-off containers for collection and must be planned for before breaking ground.

There are many intricacies in managing multi-location waste programs, requiring both a national or system-wide view as well as a local or site-level view. By structuring your program with central oversight and site-level leaders, and looking at these four key areas of focus, your business will be best positioned for success across the board.