What is a Waste Audit and Why do We Need One?

Every organisation produces waste, from packaging to the food scraps in the kitchen bin. Before you can reduce it, you need to know what it is and how much there is. A waste audit gives you that picture, and it is usually the first step towards lower waste costs.

What is a waste audit?

A waste audit is a systematic review of everything a workplace throws away. Auditors sort and weigh the contents of your bins to establish what is being discarded, in what volumes, and where contamination is creeping in.

The results show how well your current waste system is working and where it falls short. A one-off audit is useful, but regular audits are better, particularly when you are rolling out a new system or reporting on a waste reduction target.

What are the benefits of a waste audit?

What you get out of an audit depends on your goals, but most organisations use one to:

• Gather reliable data for waste and sustainability reporting.

• Test whether the current bin system is actually diverting waste from landfill.

• Find ways to reduce waste collection costs.

• Identify the need for new waste streams, or for staff education where contamination is high.

• Spot over-purchasing, such as milk that spoils before anyone drinks it.

• Support certifications and ESG requirements.

Should you audit in-house or bring in experts?

An in-house audit is more affordable, and sorting your own waste is a memorable experience for the team. For a smaller office that wants basic data, it is often enough. It will not have the rigour or the expert eye of an external audit.

External audits suit organisations working towards certifications such as NABERS or B Corp. NABERS operates across Australia, New Zealand and the UK and includes a dedicated waste rating. A good external auditor will also suggest improvements you would be unlikely to land on internally.

How to choose a waste audit provider

Look for an established company with a track record you can check. Your local council may keep a list of preferred providers, and sustainable business networks are a good source of recommendations. When you contact a provider, ask about previous clients, exactly what the audit will cover, and whether they offer consultation afterwards.

What happens after the audit?

Use the findings to make changes: adjust your waste streams, fix your bin labelling, brief your team. Then book a follow-up audit to measure whether the changes worked. Waste reduction is iterative, and each audit gives you a new baseline.

You cannot manage what you have not measured, and in most workplaces the exercise pays for itself.

Common questions

How often should you do a waste audit?

Once a year is a sensible baseline. Audit again whenever you change your waste system or need fresh numbers for reporting.

Can we run a waste audit ourselves?

Yes. Sorting and weighing your own bin contents gives a smaller office perfectly usable data, though certifications usually call for an external auditor.

What does a waste audit actually measure?

The types and weights of waste a workplace produces, what ends up in each stream, and how much contamination is in the recycling and organics bins.