We have formed a successful partnership with Capita identifying innovative ways of reducing consumption, we now need to continue this good work with further improvements. Kevin Bould, RLAM
Purpose of the project
To support RLAM’s sustainability strategy, which includes a commitment to improving resource efficiency and waste management, by developing an analytical tool to report trends in waste generation and disposal methods.
Approach
In order to really drive resource efficiency, it is important to be able to establish a baseline per property and a means for evaluating performance over time. Whilst waste contractors may be able to provide actual (weighed) or estimated data, there are a number of contractors across a portfolio, so it is very difficult to show trends consistently without such a tool or purchasing a web based portal/data management system.
Capita Environment Consultancy developed an automated reporting tool, which takes large quantities of waste data and turns it into useful reports with infographics. The reporting output enables monitoring of trends over time in:
overall waste generation,
specific types of waste production,
the distribution of waste consumption and
waste treatment methods.
In addition, Capita’s environmental consultants provide bespoke commentary on the quality of data, arising data trends and suggestions for improvement.
Implementation
This bespoke solution is informed by consistent waste treatment data, which is collected in a web based portal called Meridian, which we export to Excel. Waste data on the spreadsheet informs Macros which populate the graphics and report. This approach has been applied since 2015 to the UK based properties where Capita (the Managing Agent) is responsible for waste management. The reports were reported to both the client (Royal London), property managers and the tenants periodically. Capita’s waste analysis tool and reports have been used to support waste management for a number of sites, where data may have historically been collected but not utilised to deliver insights and inform actions. The reports are also provided to tenants and discussed, to support waste management and cost saving opportunities. The development of the tool reflects a wider movement towards using Big Data to drive sustainable agendas and actions.
Results
Key success is visual representation of data to increase understanding and engagement. This solution bridges the gap between data collection and online/real time data presentation when budgets do not allow investment in the latter. It is flexible to support Fund level down to property or tenant level reporting where the data exists. It requires data to be provided in a specified and agreed format, however, the waste industry is increasingly able to provide this.
Space utilization – Market trends and transformation
Everyone agrees that an image is worth 1,000 words. In his book ‘Information Visualization’, Colin Ware states: “The eye and the visual cortex of the brain form a massive parallel processor that provides the highest-bandwidth channel into human cognitive centers.” With the human visual system processing more information than all other senses combined, visuals can be deciphered by the brain much quicker than written information.
Reporting of sustainability and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) has evolved significantly over the years. Several organisations have matured and become leading examples; illustrating how reporting has been a way for them to better inform stakeholders, and as a tool for them to reflect on their journey and upgrade their approach to sustainability or ESG.
Managing the reporting and assurance process for your company’s ESG outcomes is difficult at the best of times, 2020 is set to become even more challenging.2019 will go down as the year the world announced a clear intent to move to a low-carbon economy. In 2020 governments, institutions and businesses will have to address how they manage this transition in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of their businesses.
