Reduce Waste Disposal Costs for Supermarket Chain
Industry Sector
Retail
Client Profile
High turnover, metropolitan supermarket, part of national supermarket chain.
Statement of Waste Issue
- Reduce cost of waste disposal
- Reduce waste going to landfill
Process
- Detailed audit of total waste stream
- Review of current store reports; shrinkage, department activity, etc
- Review of current practices; employees, contractors, suppliers and customers
- Impacts of other policies e.g. HAZAP guidelines; Corporate quality and customer service standards
- Identification of opportunities with feasibility review
- Development of action plan
Findings
- 55% of material was being diverted through existing recycling systems
- 11% of recyclable materials were leaking into general waste stream due to inefficient systems and poor practices
- Compostable materials amounted to 65% of waste stream
- Value of stock discarded in waste stream was $424,000 on an annual basis
Outcomes
- Store based team formed to develop action plan based on recommendations
