How do you train your staff on waste management and recycling best practices?

1 Assess your needs

Before you start planning your training, you need to assess your current situation and identify your needs and goals. For example, you can conduct a waste audit to measure the amount and composition of waste and recycling generated by your building, and compare it with your targets and standards. You can also survey your staff to understand their level of knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards waste management and recycling, and their challenges and suggestions. This will help you tailor your training to address the gaps and opportunities for improvement.

2 Choose your methods

When delivering training, there are various methods you can use depending on resources, time, and audience. For example, online courses or modules provide convenience and flexibility for your staff to learn at their own pace. Additionally, workshops or seminars are interactive and engaging options for learning from experts and sharing experiences. On-the-job training is a practical and hands-on option for your staff to learn by doing and observing. You can assign mentors or coaches to guide them in applying best practices and policies for waste management and recycling in their daily tasks. Quizzes, videos, activities, games, exercises, checklists, posters, and feedback tools can also be incorporated to enhance the learning experience and monitor performance.

3 Cover the basics

In order to ensure a successful waste management and recycling plan, there are several topics and pieces of information that need to be covered. These include the benefits and reasons for waste management and recycling, both for the environment and the building, as well as the types and categories of waste and recyclables. It is also important to be aware of the rules and regulations for waste management and recycling, both at the local and national level. Additionally, it is essential to outline roles and responsibilities of your staff, along with expectations and incentives. Furthermore, resources and facilities available for waste management and recycling, both within and outside the building, must be identified. Lastly, best practices and tips for reducing, reusing, and recycling waste should be provided in order to avoid contamination and waste.

4 Make it relevant

To make your training more effective and relevant, you need to customize it to your specific building and staff. Incorporate real-life examples and scenarios that reflect the situations and challenges they face in their work. Utilizing data and statistics that show the impact and results of waste management and recycling in your building is also beneficial. Additionally, consider feedback and suggestions from your staff to improve your training and address their needs and concerns. Lastly, use recognition and rewards to motivate and appreciate your staff for their efforts and achievements in waste management and recycling.

5 Evaluate and follow up

To measure the effectiveness and outcomes of your training, you can use surveys, tests, or interviews to assess your staff's knowledge, skills, and attitudes before and after the training. Additionally, you can track your building's performance and progress in waste management and recycling with waste audits, reports, or indicators. Moreover, feedback forms, meetings, or forums can be used to collect your staff's opinions and feedback on the training and its impact. Lastly, refresher courses, newsletters, or updates can be employed to reinforce and remind your staff of the best practices and policies for waste management and recycling.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?