The core operation.
WHAT COLLECTION INVOLVES
Serving customers on a schedule Loading and transporting Disposing at an authorised destination Billing and collecting payment
WHAT DETERMINES VIABILITY
Customers per route Distance between them Time per collection Disposal cost and distance Payment collection
WHAT TO CALCULATE
Cost per collection, fully loaded.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Vehicle: fuel, maintenance, depreciation, licensing
Crew Disposal charges Route time Administration and billing Bad debt
WHY BAD DEBT BELONGS IN THE COST
Non-payment in this sector is substantial and it must be priced in.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Route density: customers per kilometre.
WHY
It determines whether the route is viable at all.
WHAT TO AVOID
Accepting customers far from existing routes.
WHY
A single distant customer consumes disproportionate time.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
A minimum density before serving a new area.
WHAT TO PLAN
Routes grouping customers geographically.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT SCHEDULE
Fixed days and approximate times.
WHY
Customers must present waste, and unpredictable collection produces complaints and missed pickups.
WHAT TO RECORD PER COLLECTION
Customer, date, and whether waste was presented.
WHY
Disputes about missed collections are otherwise unresolvable.
WHAT TO TRACK
Collections per vehicle per day Route time Missed collections and their causes
