Conducting a waste audit has never been more important as sustainability and environmental responsibility continue to shape business practices and household behaviours. They help with waste reporting and general waste management practices.
A waste audit is a systematic process of analysing waste production, disposal, and management practices. In 2025, with increasing regulatory demands and a global push towards net-zero emissions, understanding and optimising your waste footprint is crucial to reducing waste.
This blog explores the importance of conducting a waste audit, drawing insights from experts such as Cleanway and highlighting actionable steps to get started. It also foregrounds the importance of a waste audit report in optimising waste systems and waste reduction.
What Is a Waste Audit?
Waste audits present an opportunity for organisations to evaluate and analyse their existing waste management systems. They can utilise these insights to identify ways to enhance and optimise their systems as well as track the total waste generated.
A team of waste management specialists carries out the audits. After compiling their findings, they will be able to provide recommendations and strategies. Cleanway customises its waste audits to meet the specific needs of its diverse clients, whether they are dealing with hazardous waste or food waste.
Companies can ensure that they adhere to both local and international waste management legislation with waste audits. In Australia, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborates with firms like Cleanway to provide their clients and customers with approved and environmentally friendly waste management solutions.
Read our blog Auditing a Waste Removal System for more information.
Benefits of Conducting a Waste Audit
Conducting a waste audit provides numerous benefits. In general, they provide businesses with an overview of their current waste management practices. Waste auditors can see how where waste is generated in businesses and provide suggestions for minimising it and ensuring that all the trash produced is handled safely and effectively.
Cost Saving
Conducting a waste audit might come with a fee, but it will help your business better understand its waste management systems. This small bit of knowledge can help you to make more informed and knowledgeable decisions.
The long-term effects of this knowledge ensure that you are making the most informed decisions when it comes to waste management. Additionally, partnering with experts helps to ensure that unnecessary costs do not come about.
Sustainability
The eco-conscious world often looks for ways to improve itself as part of a commitment to building a greener future. Any company that wants to be a part of this should begin with a waste audit.
The reality is that building an eco-friendly world takes small steps by many individuals and corporations. Waste management is one way of doing is, and it should be done with the best information available to ensure that it is effective.
How to Conduct a Waste Audit
Conducting a waste audit involves several key steps, whether you are a business or a household. It is recommended that a company like Cleanway is used to conduct waste audits as they have staff who understand waste management best practices.
Define Your Goals
A business should enter with a general idea of what it is about the waste streams that they wish to improve, but this doesn’t necessarily have to be fixed. A goal could be as simple as being more efficient.
Collect Data
Once a general goal is in place, the next necessary step is to collect data on the current waste systems in place. By starting here, you can see where areas in the system might need improvement.
Analyse Findings
With the data collected, a waste auditor is then able to figure out what is going on with a company’s existing waste management systems. They can use their findings to determine ways to improve the system.
Implement Solutions
It is important that any systems or changes that are put in place are implemented in a realistic manner. Additionally, sweeping changes should not disrupt major aspects of the company’s current waste management systems.
Monitor Progress
After implementing any waste management changes, it is important to regularly monitor how they have effected existing systems, whether they are having the desired outcome, and whether they are sustainable in the long run.
Why 2025 Is the Right Time for a Waste Audit
The best time to implement any changes that might improve operational efficiency and make a company more environmentally friendly is often sooner rather than later. 2025 is a great year to conduct a waste audit for a variety of reasons.
The reasons listed below go beyond just changes or improvements in the waste management industry. Given that waste extends to every sector, these are changes that affect many fields. Businesses that want to stay on top of their competitors need to do what they can to adapt and evolve in 2025.
Changing Waste Legislation
Global and local waste legislation constantly changes as governments continue to tackle climate change and to find more sustainable ways to manage waste. Conducting a 2025 waste audit helps to ensure that you are not taken aback by these changes.
This is especially important for companies that are working in industries that produce large amounts of waste and have not seen major legislative changes. It is very likely that if these changes have not been implemented yet then they could come about in 2025.
Commitments to Achieve Net Zero Emissions
Net zero emissions goals are a major part of the global effort to reduce the amounts of greenhouse gases. Waste remains a contributor here, so it is important to play our part in the global effort to stop the negative effects of climate change.
2025 should be the year that your company adapts to these policies. This helps to ensure not only a more eco-friendly world, but they your company is working alongside others to build it. Customers can also know that they are working with a valuable company in this endeavour.
Progress in Technology
Technology constantly changes. In the world of waste management, this has two effects. On the one hand, we see improvements in waste management technology. On the other, we see new types of waste being produced every year that require different disposal methods.
Given this, it is important that companies continue to expand their waste systems. This all starts with conducting a waste audit so that improvements can be made and further optimisation can be achieved.
Conclusion
A waste audit is a great way for a business to really understand their waste streams and systems. With this information, they can find ways to be more sustainable, to reduce waste, or just be more cost-effective in their daily operations.
If you are interested in having your company’s waste audited, be sure to contact Cleanway. Our team of waste management experts are well equipped to deal with a wide range of customers across Australia.