The District operates a technical assistance program in cooperation with The University of Toledo, College of Engineering, to assist commercial and industrial facilities with identifying waste reduction and recycling opportunities. A main component of the District’s business waste reduction strategy as outlined in the Solid Waste Management Plan, the program provides free and confidential waste analysis and assessments. Under the auspices of The University of Toledo, the program offers complete confidentiality to its clients.

Under the direction and guidance of the District and The University of Toledo, teams of graduate and undergraduate engineering interns utilize engineering science to identify materials and formulate suggestions and plans for the individual business to implement. Using raw materials flow patterns and processes, plans focus on minimizing the waste created at the onset before it even hits the waste bin.

Companies should anticipate approximately 1-4 facility walk throughs and the collecting and reviewing of data. The final report, presented to the business will include:

• a process description
• process improvement opportunities
• complete solid waste characterization
• source reduction and recycling opportunities