#391 Herbert Koomson on Transforming Waste Management Through Data-Driven Audits

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Quick take: Herbert Koomson reveals how waste audits uncover 50% recyclable materials hiding in trash streams and why the future of sustainability messaging isn’t about saving the planet—it’s about saving your bottom line.

Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion

Herbert Koomson transitioned from engineering to sustainable design at West Virginia University, where Professor Chris Haddix guided him to pass the LEED GA exam before graduation.

He began his sustainability career with the NYC Department of Sanitation, educating major restaurant chains about commercial organics rules.

Currently at RTS, he conducts waste audits throughout North America, helping clients achieve higher diversion rates through data-driven strategies. Herbert is also a coffee connoisseur, wrestling fan, and proud New Yorker who believes in making sustainability accessible rather than preachy.

Breaking Ground on Better Building

In this episode, Herbert revolutionizes traditional waste management approaches:

Key Insight #1: Waste Audits Reveal Hidden Gold in Your Trash

The Challenge: Businesses assume they’re recycling properly while up to 50% of recyclable materials end up in landfills
The Solution: Systematic waste audits combined with walkthrough assessments identify contamination sources and mislabeled waste stations
ROI: Higher diversion rates reduce waste costs while meeting sustainability goals—clients see measurable improvements within one audit cycle

Key Insight #2: Geography Determines Your Diversion Success

The Challenge: Voluntary recycling programs lead to bare minimum compliance and lower diversion rates
The Solution: Target markets with mandatory separation laws like California and Austin, Texas, which drive 3x higher diversion rates than voluntary programs
ROI: Regulatory compliance creates consistent revenue streams while voluntary markets rely on client motivation and budget priorities

Key Insight #3: Make Sustainability About Wallets, Not Polar Bears

The Challenge: Traditional sustainability messaging focuses on environmental impact, which can feel political or preachy
The Solution: Frame waste management as business efficiency—cost savings, space optimization, and operational improvements
ROI: Financial benefits resonate universally while environmental benefits become the bonus, not the burden

Sustainable Soundbite

Your Green Building Action Plan

Transform your next project with these steps:

This Week: Conduct a mini waste audit in your office—spend 15 minutes identifying what’s in your trash that should be recycled
This Quarter: Evaluate waste station signage and labels across your properties—worn or confusing signs kill diversion rates
This Year: Implement the “waste audit wheel”—baseline assessment, consulting improvements, follow-up audit to measure progress

Connect & Learn More

🌿 Learn about RTS: Recycle Track Systems
🔗 Connect with Herbert Koomson: LinkedIn
📚 Recommended reading: $40 Million Slaves by William Rhoden
📖 More reads: True Crime by Andrew Klavan and Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes