Audit & Manage Workplace Waste
to Preserve the Environment + Reduce Costs
Why Audit?
To learn how to “talk trash.”
Waste is generated in every place of business, but the type of waste and where it is generated can vary significantly.
Waste audits are a structured process used to quantify the amount and types of waste being generated. With two primary waste audit types, you can choose which is the best fit for your organization.
There are two primary types of waste audits.
Visual Waste Audit
What is it?
A waste audit doesn’t always mean physically sorting through trash and recycling. A visual waste audit requires little manpower and involves walking through your building, looking into your waste and recycling receptacles, and estimating the percentage of materials in each receptacle and dumpster.
Physical Waste Sort
What is it?
Compared to visual audits, physical waste sorts are more time-intensive but provide a more detailed picture of your waste stream.
Which is best for my organization?
Easy to Implement
+
Understand How Waste Flows
+
Less Detailed
​
Visual
Waste Audit
Time Consuming
+
Detailed Breakdown
+
Accurate Diversion Rate
Physical
Waste Sort
Still unsure which audit is best for your business? Read more here.
Basic Audit Benefits
Properly conducted audits reveal actionable information about what's being thrown away, how much, and where material originated. This information can be used to:
​
-
Create a baseline you can use to set goals and measure progress
-
Identify what materials you could be diverting from the trash
-
Inform outreach efforts to reduce contamination
Waste Audits
Success Stories
01
Deeper Roots Roastary
Working with Hamilton County ReSource, Deeper Roots clarified and expanded its waste reduction program.
02
Fifth Third Bank​
Conducting the Waste Audits helped Fifth Third Bank measure effectiveness and improve a commingled recycling program.
.jpeg)
03
GBBN Architects
GBBN identified opportunities for further reduction of the waste stream and created new waste minimization strategies.
Additional Resources
With multiple types of waste audits, how do you know what type is best for your organization? It all depends on...
Taking the time to track progress towards your waste management goals and targets will be worth the effort...
Building a
Green Team
We have tips on how to leverage or build a Green Team to help plan for an audit and reduce waste.