Waste Reduction
Conduct a Waste Audit
What Is It?
A waste audit is a process of analyzing waste composition. An audit determines the proportion of different materials in a waste stream, their volume and weight, and the source of the waste. An audit can also designate a waste collection and treatment process describing where the waste is collected, how it is collected, and how each material will be treated. Conducting a waste audit is one of the first steps to reduce a facility’s solid waste.
Benefits
The results from a waste audit enable decision makers to plan the most efficient methods for managing waste. When waste is managed effectively, less is generated and less goes to landfills, reducing disposal costs for the business. Audits also establish baseline practices and waste volume, making it easier to measure progress against future years.
resources
- Massachusetts WasteWise Program
- RecyclingWorks: Recycling Assistance for Businesses & Institutions
- Source Separation Systems: Waste Audit Tool
- Urban Impact: Commercial Waste Audits
- EPA: Track Waste
News
- "Most Trash in UGA Bins Was Recyclable, Audit Finds" Online Athens, April 2013
