 What is a Waste Audit and Why Do One?
A waste audit is a formal, structured process used to quantify the amount and types of waste being generated by an organisation. Information from audits will help identify current waste practices and how they can be improved.
Isn't Picking Through Waste Disgusting?
It is not as bad as you think. Waste audits should be carefully planned and the safety of people conducting the audit seen as paramount. Sorting should be done in a well ventilated and clearly demarcated area. Sorters must have the appropriate safety equipment. Waste should NEVER be handled with bare hands. If sorting and hand-picking is not possible or appropriate a visual waste audit/ assessment can be conducted instead, though it must be kept in view that this method is not as accurate. Audits can be done on any type of waste e.g. paper and office waste, municipal waste, commercial and industrial waste, construction and demolition waste etc.
Basic Audit Equipment |
- Secure well ventilated work area sheltered from sun, wind and rain
- Two or more large tables for sorting
- Plastic sheeting to cover tables
- At least five buckets of various sizes
- Barbecue tongs and rakes to sort through garbage
- Accurate scales (bathroom scales will do for general office audits)
- Data sheets
- Brooms and disinfectant
- Lots of garbage bags
- Safety equipment and first aid kit
- Lots of water
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What Are The Objectives Of A Waste Audit?
The audit objectives are generally determined by the waste type and the business being audited. Examples of typical objectives are listed below:
- To determine composition and quantities of waste being generated;
- To measure the effectiveness of existing waste management systems;
- To identify opportunities for improving waste management systems and strategies;
- To collect baseline data for measuring the effectiveness of waste minimization strategies.
Do you have management approval and support?
Management support is essential in ensuring the smooth completion of the audit, and means that any findings or recommendations are more likely to be considered and implemented.
Do you have the personnel?
Unless you have a tiny office you will need others to help sort the waste. Some estimates are provided below for guidance.
Time and Resource Estimates
Type of office |
Number of staff |
Number of days for waste collection |
Number of sorters |
Time to conduct sorting |
Small office, single story |
< 20 |
5 |
2 |
1 - 5 hours |
Medium, with three stories |
< 100 |
5 |
6 - 8 |
1 - 2 days |
Large, multi-story or multi-building complex |
400 - 500 |
5 |
12 - 15 |
3 - 5 days |
Are policies in place to protect confidentiality?
The confidentiality and privacy of documents or personal information found in the waste stream must be assured. No documents can be read or removed from the sorting area. If waste is to be transported to another location to be sorted then it must be stored and disposed of securely.
Has the date of the audit been kept secret?
Staff should not know when the audit is to take place, otherwise they may change their waste behaviour and audit results will not represent normal waste practices.
Who is to Report the Results?
There needs to be a set procedure for the reporting of results to ensure the most effective use of the data collected.
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