The aim / learning outcome of this module is to understand how to gather and use data effectively to plan the development of recycling and composting schemes; identify improvements and then use data effectively to monitor and assess the performance of these schemes. Understand the different types of data and why it is important to collect data Understand the limitations of data Explain why monitoring and evaluation is important Understand how to translate data into action

Provides the basis of any sound decision making “If you can’t measure it... You can’t manage it” Commercial / Public sector - Increased efficiency = saves money! Reduces risk, increases certainty, subject to: Understanding the limitations of no / poor data: Inaccurate estimates Incompatibility of infrastructure and markets Poor planning and missed opportunities No data better than poor data!!!

Type of Data Waste Generation & Flows Waste Composition Financial Social Profiling Capacity and Infrastructure End Markets Performance Assessments Fit for purpose? Affordability and Priorities Be aware of poor data / Data gaps

Current position on waste material flows Issues and Opportunities Inefficiencies Ability to track changes and impact of new policy, strategy objectives / targets Performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Ability to plan and forecast

How to Prioritise Weight versus volume Data not static Composition System performance Population / household Financial ……? External influences over time Change in material revenue Change Material Properties Bulk density CV Chemical properties

Data not always available / affordable No data sometimes better than poor data Gaps in data may require assumptions to be made: Waste composition Number of households or business waste generation rate Potential performance e.g. Material capture rates Where assumptions are critical to outcomes, sensitivity analyses can be used to: Provide range of values on which to base decision Highlight potential areas of risk

Need to forecast the quantities of waste to help in planning Future quantities of waste dependent on: - Waste generated - Households (rather than population) - Business activity - Economic Activity - Specific elements of waste stream (e.g. recycled content) - Waste prevention activities Predict a range not single line growth Use previous trends to inform assumptions Dependant on future workload, business expansion, type of activities/production

Recycling Rate Landfill Diversion Rate Dry Recycling Contamination Rate Participation Rate Capture Rate Recognition rate Collection Yield

Document which clearly sets out data requirements and approach to obtaining it What data is required and priorities ? Why is the data required (Mandatory, Required, Useful, “Nice to have”) ? When will the data be collected and at what repeat frequency ? Who will collect the data ? How will the data be collected ? Units of measurement How will the data be reported? How much will the data cost to collect? ROI?

What are you trying to find out? Define Investigate Assess Learn D D I I A A L L What tools / indicators are you going to use? What are you going to do with the information? What have you learnt and what is going to change as a result of the new information

What question are you trying to answer? What would the answer look like? Is it SMART? What are you going to measure? Do you need to compare data and is this data available? Define D D

What indicators are you going to use? Will your indicators selected answer your question? How are you going to use them? Quantitative or qualitative data? Single or multiple sources of data? Plan to collect data Costs Audits Field data Investigate I I

How are you going to analyse the data? How are you going report it? Assess A A

Exercise Set out Rate Participation Rate Capture Rate Recognition Rate Contamination Rate Remember how to calculate them? What’s new?

Low set out, low participation, high recognition High set out, low contamination, high participation, low recognition High participation, low set out, high recognition, High contamination Low capture, high set out Consider: Describe scenarios and implications How would you resolve each situation ? What would be preferred ?

Appropriate format to data Show trend Compare with baseline Data should be clear and consistent Tailor reporting to audience

What are you going to differently in response to the monitoring and evaluation data Is there further monitoring required? Continuous improvement Ongoing Learn L L