Waste Management and Reduction Guide for the Retail Industry

How to introduce a waste reduction program

Establishing an eco/green action group
Eco/green action group facilitator
Eco/green action group meetings
Communication
Determining a vision and terms of reference for the eco/green group
Setting objectives
Assessment procedures

The success of a waste minimisation and management program hinges on an effective coordinating ‘eco/green action’ group (let them pick their own name), and on people within centres, both management and retailers, being supportive and committed to minimising waste.

Establishing an eco/green action group

The best waste reduction results will come from people having a strong sense of participation, cooperation and consultation in the program’s formulation and implementation. The people concerned manage the environmental issues and the program directly reflects their priorities and needs.

Ideally, the coordinating group would comprise a mix of centre management and tenants. It can contain members of centre management, in particular the operations manager, staff from the marketing area, and invited and interested retailers. It may be appropriate that staff from the centre’s waste management organisation could also be invited to be part of the group. Policy development that is ‘owned’ by both centre management and the centre’s retailers will not be perceived as being a ‘centre management-driven’ initiative.

CASE STUDY
Centro Colonnades’ ECO group continues to look at ways to encourage and recognise environmental education initiatives within the community. This includes nurturing links with local schools and community groups who are active contributors to environmental projects through the centre’s ECOFund support program. This provides a focus within the centre to promote their activities as well as continuing to form strong partnerships within the centre’s target areas.

Eco/green action group facilitator
A facilitator needs to be elected from the group and may be from centre management, or as agreed. The role is to set agendas, record deliberations and generally coordinate the determinations agreed in meetings.

Eco/green action group meetings
The group will only be successful if meetings are well organised, short and at a time convenient to all members. Keep in mind that retailers and centre management staff have other tasks to perform:

Keep meetings to half an hour or less.
Conduct meetings on a less busy trading day and in a quiet period, such as mornings from 8.30 am, or as agreed by group members.

Communication

Development of the waste reduction program will only be successful with good, clear communications:

Provide a record of discussions to members of the group at least a week before the next meeting.
Use the centre’s in-house newsletter to advise retailers of issues being addressed by the group.
Arrange a monthly ‘eco column’ through a local suburban media organisation in the form of ‘advertorial’ to promote issues being handled by the shopping centre and retailers.
Set up a display area within the centre to inform shoppers about improved environmental performance.
Ask local schools or environmental groups to participate in the promotion of positive environmental action and activities.
For other ideas see the section on Marketing Opportunities.

Determining a vision and terms of reference for the eco/green group

A vision and terms of reference for the group will help its members, and the
public, understand the waste reduction development process. This also shows the group is not merely a marketing exercise and encourages support from, for example, Zero Waste SA, Environment Protection Authority, other government agencies, KESAB, schools and environmental groups.

Example vision for green action group

To add a comprehensive environmental focus to a centre’s retail and management operations and to raise community awareness of general environmental issues through a range of educational and promotional activities within the centre.

Example terms of reference for green action group

The group will:

become familiar with the basic principles of ecologically sustainable development
be familiar with the process of developing a waste reduction program for the centre
set priorities for issues that affect the centre and its stakeholders
establish baseline data for current issues in the centre
set objectives to achieve the group’s vision
rrange action plans to implement and evaluate the policy
ensure the process is ongoing and reviewed regularly
be aware that retailers in shopping centres are in a continuous state of change. New tenants and staff need to be inducted and fully informed of policies and if interested, be given the opportunity to participate in the action group.

Setting objectives

Establish a range of objectives for the waste reduction program. Priorities for minimising waste include:
Avoiding waste, which in effect targets consumer behaviour and purchasing choices and promotes cleaner production initiatives
reusing resources including refilling containers
introducing effective recycling programs.

Example objectives for a shopping centre

Adopt and apply the principles of ESD
Adopt the best environmental standards available in all aspects of centre operations
Strive to minimise the use of all materials, supplies and energy, and wherever possible use renewable or recyclable materials
Minimise waste produced and aim for ‘waste-free’ processes
Encourage and expect similar environmental standards from all suppliers, vendors and contractors to the centre
Effectively market the centre’s environmental position
Encourage retailer involvement in environmental action
Communicate regularly with the local community
Continuously assess the environmental impact of all the centre’s operations
Raise community awareness of general environmental issues through a range of educational and promotional activities within the centre in cooperation with recognised environmental organisations.

Consulting with and surveying retailers

A survey or personal contact will ascertain whether retailers have ideas or suggestions for, or concerns about, establishing a waste reduction program. Some retailers or areas in the centre might already be using some great examples of good environmental practice – it could be the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, or reuse or recycling of materials. Surveying also provides a mechanism for effective communication with retailers and feedback from them. The appendix has an example of a survey form.

Assessment procedures

An audit or assessment of current waste management practices at the shopping centre will help establish which areas require action, who is responsible, and where and when the activity takes place. Assessed elements should include waste management and minimisation, education and training as well as marketing opportunities. The appendix has an example of an audit form. A typical action plan is included in the appendix.

Action plan issues