A waste audit is a powerful tool that goes beyond simply measuring waste quantities. It provides a detailed understanding of the materials in the waste stream, enabling organizations to make informed decisions and implement targeted strategies for a more sustainable and efficient waste management system.

✍️This audit guide was written by the team at WATS (Waste Administration and Tracking Software) www.getwats.com

We commend you for taking an interest in this strong step toward waste reduction! If you would rather have a waste professional conduct this audit for you, you can reach out to Common Ground Compost at [email protected].

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❓Why Waste Audits are Important:

• Environmental Impact: Reduce the environmental footprint by diverting waste from landfills.
• Cost Savings: Identify opportunities to save on waste disposal costs.
• Employee Engagement: Foster a sense of responsibility and environmental awareness among employees.
• Waste Streams: Different waste materials (recycling, trash/wet waste, cardboard, e-waste, organics) are important to identify and understand.
• Data: The more information and numbers you have on what is happening in your building, the more ability you have to navigate next steps.

The what and why of conducting a Waste Audit

Conducting a waste audit is a systematic process that provides valuable insights into the composition of a waste stream and helps identify opportunities for improvement. Here's how it works:

1. Material Identification:

   • During the waste audit, participants gather, sort, and weigh materials into different categories such as recyclables, compostables, and general waste.
     • These categories can be even more granular such as plastic, metal, glass, cardboard, paper, edible food, food scraps, paper towel, plastic film/wrap, food packaging, etc.
   • Scales are used to measure weight of materials.

   <aside> 🚨 By recording the results, you can identify specific materials that make up the majority of the waste streams and identify opportunities for change.

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2. Data Collection:

   • The audit involves recording the weight of each waste stream and material category.
   • This data collection process provides a detailed snapshot of the composition of the waste streams.

3. Analysis of Results:

   • After the audit, the collected data is analyzed to determine the percentage of each material relative to the total waste.
   • This analysis reveals which materials are most prevalent in each waste stream and helps prioritize areas for improvement.

4. Identifying Opportunities for Improvement:

   • By understanding the weight and composition of each waste stream, you can pinpoint specific areas where opportunities for improvement exist.
     • For example, if we take trash, sometimes known as wet waste (the waste stream that has no opportunity for reuse) and we note that a significant portion of it is actually recyclable material, it may indicate a need for better recycling education or infrastructure.
     • By the same token, high levels of organic waste in your trash might suggest a need for composting programs or improved cafeteria practices.
   • The data may also reveal areas where reducing overall waste generation is possible.

5. Developing Action Plans:

   • Armed with insights from the waste audit, organizations can create targeted action plans to address identified issues.
   • These plans may include implementing new waste diversion initiatives, improving recycling programs, or enhancing employee education on proper waste disposal.

6. Continuous Improvement:

   • Regular waste audits allow for ongoing monitoring and measurement of progress.
   • Organizations can track changes in the waste stream over time, assess the effectiveness of implemented initiatives, and make further adjustments as needed.

7. Environmental and Economic Benefits:

   • As organizations implement improvements based on waste audit findings, they contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

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