ISS successfully supports telco client's sustainability goals

Zeroing in on sustainability
Sustainability is a priority for clients looking to reduce their impact on the environment, but an inevitable effect of rolling out a telco network is the waste this process generates. In the telco sector, waste also includes batteries, construction waste, e-waste (end-of-life electronic goods such as mobile phones, TVs and monitors), and scrap network cable.

For this telco roll-out, sustainability targets have been set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 5% in 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050; aligned with social and corporate governance targets to meet ESG requirements. Achieving waste diversion targets are a critical part of an organisation’s recycling program and a major contributor to meeting these shorter- and longer-term sustainability goals. 

In FY22 and FY23, ISS has consistently delivered higher waste diversion rates than the client’s set targets. For FY22, we achieved a 62% waste diversion rate versus the client’s target of 55%, and 65% against the client’s target of 60% for FY23 (based on a 12-month rolling average). These metrics capture waste from the clients’ operational sites, depots and select offices, for which there is complete and reliable data.

Task
In July 2021, ISS was tasked with driving waste solutions at the client’s sites across Australia. The scope of work involved reviewing existing waste streams and waste management processes. Initially, we audited and analysed the existing waste management services to provide more streamlined data, alongside an optimisation study to improve the waste reporting function.

Waste management is the process used to dispose of, reduce, reuse and prevent waste. These practices are governed by a Waste Management Standard – industry guidelines which are in turn supported by the client’s waste management program.

For FY22, the focus of the client’s waste management program was to improve diversion and reduce contamination rates to maximise recycling.

Results
Our waste optimisation and audit process has resulted in changes in improved waste reporting, frequency and servicing at the clients’ sites. Contributing factors include:

• Updates to reflect more accurate waste bin sizes and bin turnover frequency, delivering the co-benefit of reducing the client’s emissions scope.
• Improved accuracy and reporting of waste data.
• Correct use of recycling bins.
• Increased diversion services for soft plastics.
• Workforce education around recycling practices.
• Piloted uniform recycling at select sites.

We have managed the transition and application of these changes smoothly. And even while reviewing data for the client’s ESG reporting, these strategies have performed well in relation to their diversion rates. For example, in July 2023 our 12-month rolling average rate continued to be on a hike at 68%.
 
Next Steps
As we aim to achieve even higher diversion rates in FY24, we will review current waste solutions and plan for more waste improvement initiatives. For example, we are looking to:

• Share workforce capability training tools with the client’s sustainability team.
• Review soft plastic and uniform recycling and ways to scale up these programs.
• Evaluate coffee cup and fire extinguisher recycling.
• Assess wooden waste management.
• Improvements to sustainable packaging from suppliers.

AT ISS, waste is key to our service delivery. Understanding the long-term effects of commercial waste on the environment and optimising waste management is critical to ISS being able to support our clients’ sustainability requirements successfully.

For more information about ISS Facility Services Australia and New Zealand see:

LinkedIn: ISS Facility Services Australia and New Zealand

Website: www.issworld.com/en-au | www.issworld.com/en-nz