A waste check or audit is an investigation and measurement of rubbish and/or recycling amounts produced by individuals, schools or businesses. It is an effective way to:

  • decide what waste reduction measures you should take
  • measure your progress and your savings


A waste audit can be as simple as appointing a team to walk through the school, recording what they see happening, or making a giant pie chart of the school’s rubbish.

A larger school may choose to employ a consultant to conduct a full-scale audit. Whichever method you choose, allowing the students to come up with solutions to the problems they have discovered will increase their sense of ownership and responsibility. Presenting the findings to everyone, including the Board of Trustees, school assembly, and families via the school newsletter, will strengthen support for and interest in any improvement initiatives that result from the audit. 

Waste audit at an early childhood centre (image courtesy of Kapiti Coast District Council)

Waste audit at an early childhood centre (image courtesy of Kapiti Coast District Council)

Waste Audit Resources: 

Schools