How to Conduct a Waste Audit
A waste audit is a systematic process of assessing the quantity and
types of materials that are ending up in the trash at your business,
school or organization. Think of it at a "garbage performance appraisal"
that lets you target areas for improved waste reduction efforts.
The following tips are courtesy of the City of Honolulu.
- Develop a waste audit worksheet that suits your type of
business. The worksheet should list all products used in your
operations by category such as office paper, newspaper, cardboard,
glass, metal, plastic, food waste and yard waste.
- Conduct a walk-through investigation of your facility’s waste
receptacles. Look into the trash cans in work areas and into the
facility’s central dumpsters. Conduct the walk-through just prior to
janitorial collection and hauler service pickup. That way, you will
get the full picture of your company’s waste stream. Repeat the
walk-through every day for a period of one or two weeks. Thurston
County Solid Waste loans out "waste audit kits" that consist of a
scale, clipboard and optional waste-sorting trays. To borrow a kit,
call 754-3355 ext. 7676 or e-mail
ruppena@co.thurston.wa.us.
-
Estimate
the relative proportions of each item listed on the worksheet. Mark
down how much of each item is being discarded in each work area and
in the central dumpsters. Work area data may identify high
generation areas for specific recyclable materials. Central dumpster
data will give you the big picture.
- Cross-check your estimates against your company’s purchasing
records. How much copy machine and computer paper do you order each
month? How many cases of beer and soda? How many cardboard boxes
come in? Estimate how much of all these items goes out the front
door with your customers versus the back door into your dumpster.
- Consider seasonal or operational factors that may increase or
decrease your generation of waste and specific materials, and adjust
your data accordingly. Files may be purged periodically. Large
volumes of certain computer reports may be generated quarterly or
annually. The visitor and retail industries have designated high and
low seasons for business during the year. The rainy season
encourages the growth of greenery, which can increase your
generation of lawn and garden trimmings. You may want to conduct the
walk-through investigation again during these periods to gather
supplemental data.
- Assess your current waste collection and hauling service. Who
collects and transports the waste through your facility? What kind
of system and equipment do they use? Who hauls the waste from your
dumpsters? How many dumpsters? How often are they picked up? How
much are you charged?
Sample Forms
- Tips for a successful audit (PDF)
"Before audit" checklist
"During audit" checklist
Preparing for a Waste Audit - K-12 lunchroom (PDF)
Sample audit worksheet for a business or organization (PDF)
Contact Us
Call Emily Orme at (360) 867-2086 or e-mail
ormee@co.thurston.wa.us.
