Introducing the data collection form
Having completed the process map for your company, and based on your existing knowledge, you will know which of your processes or resources are important to pursue:
- Processes that mobilise many resources and generate large flows, or are critical to the business.
- Resources that are expensive or present a risk of some kind to the business—it could be due to limited suppliers having market power, pricing or supply being volatile, etc.
Businesses generally pursue industrial symbiosis for a limited number of resources at a time, so data will only need to be collected for your priority resources and processes. You may also wish to complete the form in stages, with easily gathered information first, then further information as required. The following notes will assist you to complete the data collection form for your chosen resources or processes.
After the explanations, you will find a link to download a Word version of the data collection form
| Data collection form area | Explanation of area |
|---|---|
| Resource Category | Enter as appropriate: materials Incoming, materials outgoing, energy, water, expertise, capacity. |
| Resource Name | Name the resource. Use this name to distinguish this resource from similar re-sources in other processes. For example: Paper (Warehouse) or Paper (Offices). |
| Have/Want | Circle HAVE for a resource you wish to find a new home for, or WANT for a resource you wish to find through an alternative source. |
| Waste Codes | Enter the appropriate waste codes if applicable to your country. |
| Full Description | Enter a detailed description based on its physical properties and constituents (if relevant). Include any technical specifications or contaminants you have information about. For example, for a resource name “plastic packaging (loading dock)”, you may list here it’s polypropylene flexible wrap used on pallets, and clean. |
| Source | List the business process that uses or produces the resource, and its location. |
| Quantity | Detail the quantities available or required with appropriate units and details of its containment – e.g. skip, container, pallet, silo, etc. Specify units: is it tonnes per month? kilograms per week? |
| Pattern of availability | When the resource or waste stream is required or available – one-off, continuous, seasonal, etc. |
| Special considerations | List any noteworthy considerations, such as permitting requirements or special handling required. |
| Costs | List (or estimate) those costs associated with this resource: what you currently spend on raw materials, handling or disposal. |
| Existing arrangements | Current contractual arrangements for supply or disposal of the resource that may limit the resource availability. |
