Waste audits one of those waste management practices we recommend every company tries at least once.
Waste reporting through the auditing process helps to reduce waste, improve sustainability, and is also very cost effective.
Professional waste auditors like us at Cleanway know what needs to be done to make a real change to your businesses waste and rubbish systems.
This blog looks at what you need to know about waste audits in Queensland so that when you are planning your next audit, you’ll be more informed in what they are and what you might get out of it.
What is a Waste Audit in Queensland?
A waste audit is a systematic assessment of the types, volumes, and handling of waste your organisation generates.
Trained auditors collect and sort sample waste streams, measure quantities, analyse patterns, and provide a report with actionable recommendations.
In Queensland, audits help you align with the Environmental Protection Act (Qld), reduce disposal costs, and meet internal sustainability targets tied to circular-economy outcomes.
Why Run a Waste Audit?
The Business Case
- Compliance and risk management: Demonstrate due diligence under Queensland environmental regulations and council requirements.
- Cost control: Identify over-servicing, contamination, and avoidable disposal fees.
- Resource recovery: Increase diversion to recycling, organics, and other beneficial uses.
- Operational efficiency: Improve bin placement, collection schedules, and staff practices.
- Reporting and ESG: Generate credible baseline data for ESG reports, NABERS, and internal KPIs.
We’ve written on waste audits quite frequently in past blogs. One of my favourite pieces is Everything You Need to Know about Waste Audits
When Should You Schedule a Waste Audit?
- Before renewing waste and recycling contracts.
- After operational changes (new line, product, or tenancy).
- When contamination fees or general waste volumes spike.
- To support certification, ratings, or procurement compliance.
- Annually, to track performance and continuous improvement.
Types of Waste Audits
1) Physical Waste Audit
Hands-on sorting of representative waste samples into defined streams (e.g., paper/cardboard, soft plastics, food organics, metals, construction waste) provides the most accurate composition data and contamination insights.
2) Visual Audit
Non-intrusive inspection of bins and site practices is useful for quick assessments, identifying obvious issues (overfilled bins, mis-sorted materials), and prioritising next steps before a deeper audit.
3) Desktop Audit
Review of invoices, contracts, service frequencies, and purchasing data pinpoints cost inefficiencies and service over/under-supply without on-site sorting.
4) Food Waste Audit
Short, focused study (often 7 days) to measure edible vs inedible waste, preparation waste, and plate waste is essential for hospitality, food & beverage, and institutional kitchens to target preventable waste and organics diversion.
The Waste Audit Process (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Planning and Scope
We begin by defining the goals (like cost reduction, diversion uplift, compliance), the locations, waste streams, and sampling methodology. Additionally our team confirms if there are any specialised regulatory requirements for your specific waste.
Step 2: Safe Collection
Our auditors collect representative samples from selected bins/areas. We always believe that safety is paramount. As such, our teams use appropriate PPE and secure segregation to protect people and the environment.
Step 3: Sorting and Measurement
Waste is sorted into pre-agreed categories and weighed (or measured by volume, depending on whether it’s solid or liquid). Contamination sources are recorded, and photographs may support findings. This helps us to keep track both for ourselves and for compliance.
Step 4: Waste Systems Analysis and Insights
Data is normalised to daily/weekly outputs and benchmarked. Analysts identify high-impact opportunities—e.g., right-sizing services, contamination fixes, and new recovery pathways.
Step 5: Reporting and Action
Plan to receive a clear report with charts, composition tables, and a prioritised roadmap. This includes responsibilities, timelines, estimated savings, and diversion improvements. Visualising composition helps target the biggest cost and recovery wins first.
What You’ll Receive in a Professional Waste Management Audit Report
- Baseline composition by waste stream (percentage by weight/volume).
- Key cost drivers (contamination, service frequency, bin mix).
- Diversion opportunities (recycling, organics, specialised recovery).
- Compliance notes and risk flags aligned to Queensland requirements.
- Practical action plan with estimated savings and impact.
- Templates for staff education and simple signage suggestions.
Read more about a waste auditor here.
Common Findings and Quick Wins
- Right-size services: Reduce over-servicing or add capacity where overflow triggers fees.
- Fix contamination: Simple signage and bin placement can cut contamination rates fast.
- Target soft plastics: Explore baling or take-back programs to reduce landfill volumes.
- Food organics: Divert to organics recycling or adjust kitchen prep to reduce edible waste.
- Cardboard recovery: Flatten boxes and separate clean fibre to increase rebate potential.
- Construction/maintenance wastes: Segregate metals, timber, and plasterboard for recovery.
Safety and Compliance in Queensland
All sorting and handling must follow safe systems of work. Audits should be performed by trained personnel with appropriate PPE and controls.
A credible provider will document:
- Chain-of-custody and data integrity protocols.
- Licences/approvals relevant to transport and treatment partners.
- Reporting that supports obligations under Queensland environmental law and relevant council by-laws.
How to Choose a Waste Audit Provider
- Technical capability: In-house auditing expertise and access to compliant treatment/recycling partners.
- Queensland experience: Understanding of local regulations and council systems.
- Data quality: Clear methodology, representative sampling, and transparent assumptions.
- Actionable reporting: Practical, costed recommendations—not just data dumps.
- Safety record: Demonstrated safety systems and insurance coverage.
- End-to-end support: Ability to implement improvements, train staff, and verify results.
Cleanway’s Waste Audit and Follow-Through
Cleanway delivers practical, end-to-end waste audits across Queensland and the eastern seaboard. We combine onsite auditing, data analysis, and implementation support—so your plan turns into action. Onsite physical, visual, desktop, and food-waste audits tailored to your goals.
Clear reporting with costed recommendations, timelines, and responsibilities. Implementation support: new streams, signage, staff training, and reporting dashboards.
Hazardous and complex waste expertise, with a compliance-first approach. Ready to benchmark and improve your waste performance? Book a free waste audit or call our team. For urgent incidents, call out 24/7 line.
FAQs: Waste Audits in Queensland
How long does a waste audit take?
Most single-site audits take one day onsite plus 1–2 weeks for analysis and reporting. Multi-site or multi-stream audits may require staged sampling.
Is a waste audit mandatory?
Not always, but many organisations conduct audits to demonstrate due diligence under Queensland environmental law, satisfy procurement requirements, or support certifications and ratings.
How often should we audit?
Annually is common, with a lighter mid-year review if operations change or diversion stalls.
Will operations be disrupted?
Audits are planned to minimise disruption. Sorting is conducted in a controlled area and scheduled around peak operations where possible.
Can you audit hazardous streams?
Hazardous waste requires specialised handling and compliance. Cleanway manages hazardous and complex waste with licensed procedures and will advise on safe audit scope.
Next Steps
Define your goals: cost, diversion, compliance—or all three. Collect recent invoices and service schedules for a quick desktop review.
Book your onsite audit with Cleanway and align on sample methodology and timing. Implement quick wins immediately, then phase larger improvements.
Cleanway solves hazardous and complex waste problems quickly and safely—protecting people, assets, and the environment. Request a quote or book a free waste audit today.