What is a waste audit and should you get one?
What’s in (and what’s not in) your bins can tell you a lot about your business. It can show you efficiencies and inefficiencies within the business, what value and resources are being sent to landfill, how sustainable your business is and what steps you can take to be more economical and environmentally conscious. This is why every business should listen to their waste through conducting a waste assessment.
What is a waste audit?
A waste audit is the standard, traditional way to assess your waste. It’s a systematic process used to evaluate the waste generated by an organisation. The goal is to quantify the types of waste produced.
Standard waste audits tend to be conducted over a few days or a week, which means they may not capture trends such as seasonal variation or one-off events. Standard waste audits can be resource-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. Additionally, they are not always as accurate as they seem to be.
For a more comprehensive understanding on waste input and output, Closed Loop has developed an alternative approach—a Rapid Waste and Resource Assessment. This methodology is faster, simpler, more affordable, statistically robust, and considers a broader timeframe, usually a 12-month period.
What is a Rapid Waste and Resource Assessment?
Our Rapid Waste and Resource Assessment provides insightful recommendations with less time and resource investment. Our approach simplifies the process by focusing on the categories of materials that dominate your waste, how much their disposal is costing your business and what practical alternatives exist.
Traditional waste audits place a heavy focus on measuring what’s at the end of the pipe. We take a broader view, looking at what goes into the pipe and the how the pipe runs through your business. We engage with your team to understand your systems, processes and requirements. This helps us understand what alternatives are possible and practical, with an eye on genuine circular economy solutions that minimise costs and add value to your business, and reducing the waste materials that come out the end of the pipe
By streamlining the process, we make waste management more accessible and effective, helping you achieve meaningful environmental improvements without the typical burden of a traditional audit.
Standard vs Rapid Waste and Resource Assessment: a comparison
Both the standard and rapid waste and resource assessment methods have their merits. The choice between them depends on your objectives:
- Rapid Waste and Resource Assessment: Ideal if your primary goal is to quickly understand your waste profile and begin implementing improvements to reduce landfill waste. This method offers a streamlined process, making it more accessible and efficient for immediate action.
- Standard Waste Audit: Suited for more in-depth, exact analysis or regulatory compliance. This approach provides a thorough examination of waste categories and sources for a set timeframe, but is more resource-heavy, time-consuming and expensive.
To help you decide, we’ve outlined the key differences between the two methods in the chart below:
| Standard Waste Audit | Rapid Waste and Resource Assessment | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher, due to resource demands and complexity | Approx. 25% lower*, due to reduced complexity and faster execution |
| Time investment | Higher, due to detailed categorisation and analysis | Approx. 25% lower*, due to streamlined process and fewer categories |
| Equipment needed | Medium | Minimal |
| Expertise needed | Medium | Minimal |
| WHS risk level | High, requires specialised knowledge and training | Lower, more accessible with general guidance |
| Level of detail | Higher, due to handling and sorting of various waste types | Lower, due to reduced handling and simplified process |
| Statistical analysis | Extensive, detailed and thorough | Basic, for rapid insights |
| Consistent with existing regulatory framework | Yes | No |
| Objective | In-depth analysis and regulatory compliance | Quick insights and immediate improvement |
*When compared to a standard waste audit conducted by Closed Loop on a business of the same size and operation
By understanding these differences, you can choose the method that best aligns with your goals and resources.
Waste assessment with Closed Loop
With over 2 decades of experience in the circular economy industry, Closed Loop is well-equipped to support your business regardless of the assessment approach you choose. Whether you opt for a detailed standard waste audit or a streamlined rapid assessment, our expertise ensures you receive valuable insights and actionable recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Speak to our consulting team to enhance your waste management practices and achieve your sustainability goals with confidence and efficiency.
