What are the advanced measures?
The advanced measures for waste typically involve tracking changes in waste output over time and/or tracking particular waste streams which are known to be hazardous. The collection of time series data on waste variables can be used to track performance, but care needs to be taken here. For example, changes in the composition of waste streams, or changes in amounts recycled, or in gross amounts of waste, which may relate to factors beyond the control of the event manager such as changed regulations or increased costs associated with landfill. Selected advanced measures may also incur higher costs. For example, waste contractors may require compensation for more detailed analysis of the direction, management and contents of event-related wastes.
Advanced measures include:
- Waste footprint of event-related visitors
- Proportion of waste classified as inert/hazardous
- Changed composition of event related waste streams
- Changes in amount of waste produced per event-related visitor/participant
- Changes in proportion of waste diverted from landfill (i.e. increase recycling and composting)
- Reduction in waste produced at event site
- Reduction in waste produced per event-related visitor
Below are several resources that can assist event organisers when using advanced measures to assess the impact of waste arising from their event.
RESOURCES
Advanced measures might also include estimates of the waste footprint of events, but with this requiring access to third party carbon or ecological footprinting software to develop. Examples of carbon calculators available to calculate the impact of event related waste are provided below.
Carbon Trust’s Carbon Footprinting software
https://www.carbontrust.com/resources/tools/carbon-footprinting-software/
Julie’s Bicycle Creative IG Tools
http://www.juliesbicycle.com/services/ig-tools