Case study: Waste assessments
Aim: To illuminate opportunities to reduce waste and highlight potential efficiencies and cost savings.
Z Energy
Sustainability is one of Z Energy’s four ‘stands’ and they are committed to taking meaningful action to deliver on their goals, including tracking their progress.
In line with this, Z contracted 3R to conduct waste assessments over a number of years at service stations in Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington. The findings and recommendations have been used for future decision making around handling waste and recycling nationally.
How did we do it?
- Focussed on service station forecourts and shops
- Identified waste streams
- Identified contamination sources in recycling
- Identified barriers
- Recommended practical steps to improve waste diversion by staff and customers
“3R have helped us get a clearer picture of our waste profile and how to better tackle it.”
Brebner Print
In 2019 Brebner Print – the largest commercial printer in the central North Island – was working towards their Enviro-Mark Environmental Management Programme and Certification. They asked 3R to do a solid waste assessment to understand the materials in their waste, find ways to reduce this and determine how to maximise the recycling programmes that were in place.
How did we do it?
- Identified the waste profile and recycling practices
- Highlighted opportunities for improving recycling
- Offered practical steps to reduce and divert waste
- Identified procurement changes to reduce waste
“The consultation before and after was really helpful for us to set a benchmark going forward. We expect to reduce our general waste by up to 75% based on the outcome of the assessment. The team from 3R Group was brilliant to deal with, nothing was too difficult for Jason and his team.”
Gisborne District Council
The Gisborne District Council approached 3R in 2017 to conduct a waste assessment which resulted into 3R developing the region’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP). The assessment considered factors, such as population size and age, tourism, landfill capacity and existing waste bylaws, among others.
How did we do it?
- Analysed the district’s waste collection, disposal, recovery, data collection, population demographics
- Identified future demand
- Provided a gap analysis
- Offered options to improve waste reduction, recycling, waste education, procurement and infrastructure
- Set the vision, goals and objectives for the district
- Set the foundation for 3R to write the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan
“The consultation before and after was really helpful for us to set a benchmark going forward. We expect “We believe 3R have provided an excellent service to us. We couldn’t be happier with the result.”
Westland Milk Products
3R worked with Westland Milk Products over an 8 year period helping between 2010 until early 2018 helping them improve environmental practices at their Hokitika factory, promote sustainable practices to all staff and farmer suppliers, and meet the environmental expectations of international customers.
How did we do it?
- Used a ‘whole of supply chain’ approach
- Identified further opportunities to reduce waste across factory and farm operations
- Influenced the development of Standard Operating Procedures
- Resulted in on-property waste minimisation activities for 400 farmer shareholders
- Saw an ongoing relationship of further assessments and the development of innovative solutions for other materials
“3R was invaluable at identifying waste that could be recycled and helping us develop FarmEx, a programme that works on the basic philosophy that what happens behind the farm gate impacts on Westland’s ability to sell in a highly competitive marketplace.”
