WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TECHNOLOGY
For good measure WASTE DATA CAN BE A KEY TOOL TO REACHING ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE GOALS. TRIMBLE’S PAUL CORDER TALKS WITH WMR.
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The LOADRITE refuse truck scales automatically collect accurate waste data.
52 / WMR / April 2022
The ability to provide auditable information about waste collection is the next stage for ESG reporting.
(Credit: Adobe Stock)
aste export bans, carbon emission targets and a move to a circular economy have forced Australians to take more responsibility for their waste. Sustainable development strategies and environmental and social governance (ESG) are now as important in the boardroom as the bottom line. However, with zero waste targets and pledges to reduce environmental impact comes accountability. Consumers want to know that measurable action is being taken and businesses are not just ticking the boxes for social responsibility. Paul Corder, Waste Sector Product Manager at Trimble, says waste producers such as supermarket chains and restaurants are looking for hard facts on how their waste minimisation regimes are working.
“Not only are they looking at the environmental impact, but they are very aware of the perception of the community,” Paul says. “If they are seen to be environmentally wasteful, it can have a direct impact on their brand.” Foodwise Australia estimates that 20 to 40 per cent of Australian produce doesn’t make it to a supermarket shelf for cosmetic reasons. About five per cent of all food in the restaurant business is binned because of spoilage and food waste is about three per cent of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Paul says if people understand what their waste output is, they have an opportunity to change their habits and reduce their waste. He says supermarkets and restaurants are turning to waste haulers to provide accurate, granular data that allows them to take action financially and for ESG purposes.
“The landscape is changing to haulers not being someone who just takes away waste but to being someone who provides much more value,” he says. Trimble’s LOADRITE refuse truck scales collect accurate waste data automatically, without interaction from the driver. The scales can be integrated with any management system and are trade approved and certified to meet Australian Government standards. The scales weigh full bins as they are picked up and empty bins as they are put down for each customer. Weights are then provided to the hauler’s database. “If you want to track how much waste reduction you’ve made, simply counting the number of bins you put out is not good enough,” Paul says. “Weight is a reliable measurement of how much material you are actually throwing out. “The LOADRITE refuse truck
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