What is the best way to set up for diversion tracking?

The most effective method for setting up diversion tracking is to identify the specific commodities to track and analyze data over a 12-month period. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the waste stream and its components. By selecting particular commodities, organizations can focus their efforts on the materials that are most relevant to their waste management goals.

Analyzing a full year's worth of data offers a complete picture of waste generation and diversion trends. This time frame captures seasonal variations and operational changes that might impact waste production and recovery, allowing for more informed decision-making. It also facilitates accurate benchmarking and performance assessment, ensuring that strategies can be adjusted based on observed patterns over time.

In contrast, assigning values to generated commodities without tracking can lead to misrepresentations and lack of insights, as there’s no data to substantiate those values. Gathering data over a shorter period, such as six months, may not provide enough information to identify trends effectively. Additionally, not assigning values to materials could overlook important metrics that are essential for evaluating progress in waste diversion efforts.