Case Study: Digitally Transforming Waste Management for Measurable Sustainability
Client:
Challenge:
- Large Multi-National Corporation (MNC) with 20+ facilities
- Lack of detailed waste tracking and actionable insights
Solution:
Outcome:
- Digital waste tracking using QR codes and a mobile app
- Improved visibility, reduced waste, and targeted interventions
The Challenge
For many organisations, sustainability reporting has evolved from a voluntary effort to a regulatory necessity. However, many still struggle to move beyond compliance toward meaningful impact. Our client, a large MNC operating across 20+ facilities, faced a common issue—waste data was siloed, with reports providing only high-level figures without insights into departmental behaviors or opportunities for reduction.
Vendors could supply total waste volumes and associated carbon footprints (CO₂e), but they could not identify who was generating the waste, how it was being disposed of, or where opportunities existed for either reduction, elimination or prevention. The sustainability team had less than five members—too few to manually track waste practices across all departments effectively.
Our Approach
Collexe implemented a digital waste tracking solution that provided real-time, department-level visibility. The key components included:
- Mobile App-Enabled Data Collection – Employees recorded waste disposal through a mobile app, streamlining data entry.
- QR Code Identification – Each department was assigned a QR code, allowing waste disposal to be traced back to specific locations.
- Automated Reporting & Insights – The system aggregated and analyzed waste data, enabling the sustainability team to identify high-waste departments and recurring disposal patterns.
This digital governance approach ensured data accuracy while reducing the burden on the sustainability team. Instead of manual tracking, they could now focus on waste reduction strategies backed by real-time evidence.
The Results
- Department Level Insights – Departments with high waste generation were identified, allowing targeted interventions.
- Cost Reduction – Correct waste classification reduced unnecessary incineration costs (e.g., clinical waste disposal).
- Targeted Interventions– Instead of a full retraining, only departments with waste management issues were engaged, saving time and resources.
By digitally enabling waste tracking, our client transitioned from basic compliance to proactive sustainability leadership. With the right data on hand, they could not only prove their sustainability claims but also act on them effectively.
