AuditReview of the Commonwealth’s Recycling Practices - DCAMM

This is a state performance audit of DCAMM’s handling of recycling at state-used buildings during July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016.”

Auditors reviewed whether DCAMM properly managed recycling in buildings the state owned, occupied, or leased, based on DCAMM standards and a state executive order.

“We conducted this performance audit to assess DCAMM’s administration of recycling activities at various state-occupied and/or state-leased buildings as prescribed by its own Facilities Management & Maintenance Standard 04 as well as Section 7C of the Commonwealth’s Executive Order 515.”

If recycling is not monitored, state buildings may mishandle trash and miss chances to lower disposal costs through recycling credits.

“By not ensuring that occupants in state-owned buildings fully comply with these requirements, DCAMM creates a higher-than-acceptable risk of building occupants improperly handling their solid waste and losing the opportunity to obtain revenue (recycling credits for the value of recycled materials) that would reduce the Commonwealth’s costs for waste disposal.”

For residents, this matters because better recycling oversight can reduce waste, support environmental goals, and potentially lower state waste-disposal costs.

“DCAMM’s lack of monitoring for compliance with the recycling provisions of leases could have an adverse environmental effect.”

DCAMM had recycling requirements on paper, but the audit found weak follow-through: no waste stream audits at reviewed state buildings, limited monitoring, and leased sites where some agencies recycled only partly or not at all.

“We visited 10 state buildings, spoke with the DCAMM onsite facility managers at each building, and determined that none of the facility managers performed solid waste stream audits;1 had written waste management plans or recycling/waste management policies or procedures; monitored or maintained records of solid waste trash removal and recycling activities at their buildings; or received waste hauler reports2 regularly and used the information on such reports to determine the right service level, identify inefficiencies, and track recycling progress.”

The audit recommended that DCAMM create policies, monitor facility managers and leased buildings, collect recycling data, and look into recycling credits.

“DCAMM should establish administrative policies and procedures that require monitoring of compliance with the recycling provisions of leases and should communicate these requirements to state agencies occupying leased space.”

The report is significant because DCAMM oversees millions of square feet of state building and leased space, so weak recycling oversight can affect many public offices.

“The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), an agency within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, was created by the state Legislature in 1980 and is responsible for administering all capital planning, major public building construction, and facilities management activities for more than 65 million square feet of building space occupied by Commonwealth agencies.”

A “solid waste stream audit” means checking what kinds and amounts of trash a building throws away so officials can find recycling improvements and possible savings.

“Waste stream audits analyze the quantities and types of waste disposed of to identify areas for enhanced recycling and/or cost savings.”