with the WATS tool

Summary

WATS offers a simple and easy to use waste surveying tool for offices, buildings or any business type.

Access is easy via a custom QR code and set up can be as simple as one conversation with our customer success team.

If you or your property manager have a relationship with WATS then you are eligible for FREE use of this tool!

What is a waste survey?

Waste surveys unlock the blackbox of waste data by giving you and your team an easy way to calculate the waste your company generates yourself!

Waste Surveys are a critical tool for understanding and reducing waste within your operations. Through direct measurement—either by visual assessment or using an on-site scale—these surveys provide concrete data on the amount and types of waste your site or office generates.

This article guides you through conducting effective waste surveys using WATS’s tools, understanding your results, and leveraging this data to enhance operational efficiencies and sustainability efforts.

1. Considerations when Preparing for Waste Surveys

• Gather basic office details:

  • Average number of humans in office or building daily
  • Office or Building square footage
  • Waste set out locations or collection area
  • Waste set out frequency
  • If surveying a whole building, figure out if the building contain commercial office space and retail establishments and if yes, confirm if retail waste will be included. In most cases all waste in the set out location will be included.

• Select Waste Streams:

  • Establish which waste streams you will survey, the most common streams are:

    • Trash
    • Recycling
    • Cardboard
    • Compost

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    Sometimes specialty waste streams like e-waste or bulk furniture waste would be present in the office or building but not included in the survey.

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• Get Estimated Waste Weight or Volume:

  • Speak with the local team that manages the daily collection of waste to understand roughly how many bags or containers (including size) will be at set out.
  • If available review waste data of monthly generation from hauling partners in some cases this should be available in WATS, this raw data comes in the form of an invoice or estimated waste generation data from your vendors.

• Gather Waste Flow Details:

  • Confirm waste flow details which is the process that building staff adheres to when collecting waste from the office or building and transporting it to the curb or loading dock. Common questions:
    • Does waste come down throughout the day or is all waste collected in the evenings?
    • What time does collection happen?
    • If waste is stored before moved, what time does the movement actually happen.
    • What time custodial staff is typically finished collecting all waste from the office or building.
    • If surveying the building, what time or time frame each waste stream is picked up by the hauler.
    • If surveying a building, be sure to note if the building has a compactor or if waste stored in toters and hampers.

• Be Mindful of Waste Pick Up Days:

  • Be sure to understand if your space has all waste streams picked up every day or if waste is picked up on an alternate schedule.
  • Ensure you are surveying waste from a clear time frame.
    • For example, if mixed recycling is picked up on Tuesdays and Thursdays, note that conducting a survey of mixed recycling on Thursday will gather data about 48 hours of generation.

2. Coordinating the team:

• Estimate the Number of People and Time Needed to Conduct the Survey:

For Office Only Surveys:

For Full Building Surveys:

• For Full building - Push Hauling Back If Necessary:
  • Ensure the there is enough time between when all waste will be brought to the loading dock or curb and when waste will be picked up.
  • If necessary, contact your hauler and push back pickup to later in the evening.
• Coordinate Both Day and Evening Staff:
  • Ensure that all relevant day and nighttime custodial staff have been notified of the survey and any additional responsibility or changes in operations due to the survey.

3. Obtain Necessary Supplies:

• Weighing Scale: Purchase a digital scale with sufficient capacity to weigh different types of waste accurately.
  • Recommended scale