Although a waste audit may sound a bit tedious, it could be tremendously beneficial for Australian businesses.
In this regard, it is highly important to examine which types of waste are being created and how savings could be generated while ensuring all regulations are satisfied.
This blog hopes to provide instructions for cleaning Australian business waste systematically while also revealing the reason as to why they should conduct audits.
Ultimately, a business serious about improving their waste systems should consult experienced companies like Cleanway.
What Is a Waste Audit?
Simply put, a waste audit constitutes a critical assessment of the waste generated from the lines of business undertaken in an organisation.
This includes collecting data, sorting it into logical groups, and critiquing the trash to capture data on categories and amounts as well as how the waste is disposed of.
The primary purpose is to reduce waste that is disposable, enhance the recycling process, and guarantee compliance with government policies such as National Waste Policy 2018 or even EPA policies for specific states.
Instead of targeting people in the organisation, a waste audit aims at identifying more efficient and smarter techniques to achieving business goals.
Steps for Conducting a Waste Audit
Conducting a waste audit involves understanding the current waste systems that a business has in place in order to find a more optimal way of managing waste. It involves waste reporting and often involves diverting waste to more effective disposal methods.
Waste auditors are industry professionals whose main goal is to create a waste audit report for all the trash that a business creates. This report brings the specific data needed to find ways of managing waste that are environmentally friendly and often more cost effective.
Construct Your Audit
Try getting a small team to help organise the goals – the goals might include cutting down expenses, increasing recycling, or making sure everything is compliant.
Also setting a scope (for example, all locations or just one site), and a timeframe (e.g., a week). Cleanway can help if planning turns out to be an issue.
Put Together Equipment
Make sure to get sorting gloves, masks, scales, tarps, safety glasses, and containers. If hazardous waste is involved, extra protective clothing is needed.
A spreadsheet for data collecting comes in handy. Weather permitting, outdoors are ideal for prep areas as they are unconfined.
Compile Waste Samples
A variety sample of waste ideally collected over a week should be organised.
There are four streams that need to be included: general waste, recyclables, food waste, and hazardous materials. For the sample to be effective, winnowing must not take place.
Categorise and Sort the Waste
These divisions are essential waste management practices and can include paper, plastics, gadgets, organics and organised further as deemed needed after they are weighed and recorded.
The steps along with these also exhibit elements which are going into bins bypassing the whole concept of using the bins.
Data Analysis
Consider your findings carefully. What waste comprises the greatest proportion? Are recyclable items being disposed of in the general waste stream? Are hazardous wastes managed appropriately?
Estimate expenses, include landfill costs against savings from recycling. Identify relevant trends that will shape your action plan.
Improvements Analysis
Based on the gathered data, what are the opportunities? Is it possible to reduce purchasing related to packaging waste? Would better signage on bins increase recycling rates?
Is it feasible to replace hazardous constituents with non-hazardous ones? Provide a list of attainable measurable actions that will lead to greater waste reduction and cost minimisation.
Action Plan Implementation
Take action. Adjust signage on bins, instruct staff on new procedures, or contract with a waste management service such as Cleanway that can provide customised solutions.
Focus on one issue first, such as increasing recycling, and then expand once results are seen.
Wind Down Work Findings
Conducting a waste audit is not a one-time activity and should be paired with tracking. Measure changes over time on a monthly or quarterly basis to observe improvements.
Conduct an annual audit and analysis to provide a continued focus on changing laws, waste regulations, or efficient business practices. Monitoring makes continuous improvement possible.
The Benefits of a Waste Audit
Australian industries are benefiting on multiple levels because of the value a conducted waste audit provides.
Fundamentally, a waste audit allows for the more effective waste streams to be used for all types of waste that a business might create.
It can be as simple as increasing the amount of recycling bins and trash bags that a business has and as complex as changing entire waste management practices.
Environmental Benefits
Data analysis reveals areas that can be recycled more, hence reducing landfills.
Diverting food waste to composting or recycling e-waste protects Australia’s ecosystems from coastal reefs to inland waterways.
Economic Benefits
As identified by the audits, money is saved in these ways. For one, over ordering supplies, which is the practice of wasteful spending, can be eliminated.
The practice of recycling reduces the expenditure of landfill fees and selling recyclables brings in money. Avoiding non-compliance in EPA fines is another big win.
Social Benefits
Publicly declaring an organisation is implementing a waste audit is a sign they are enthralled about working toward sustainability so it pleases customers and staff alike.
Further communicating these efforts, like posting online about the reduction of plastic use improves the brand. Responsible practices associated with waste positively impact workplace safety, hence lifting morale.
Why It Matters in Australia
Commercial and industrial sectors contribute the most out of 74 million tons of waste produced by Australian businesses each year.
Additionally, companies that work with hazardous waste need to implement steps to minimise contamination risks. Waste audits provide much of the necessary ground work to ensure this.
Conclusions
Conducting a waste audit is one of the most impactful ways to manage your business’ waste.
It is easy to follow through the eight steps outlined above and the numerous benefits you reap in terms of savings, compliance, and enhanced reputation make it worth your investment.
Visit Cleanway to plan your audit, or let us help you with your next audit. For further information, check our website.