Waste Audit Checklist
Run a packaging waste audit in under an hour per site. Identify quick wins and build a baseline for savings tracking.
Notify facility manager and dock supervisor 1 week in advance — secure dock access and safety orientation
Request 3 months of waste hauling invoices (frequency, container size, cost per pull)
Obtain current site layout or dock map showing waste staging areas
Identify shift patterns — audit during peak operations for accurate representation
Prepare audit forms (digital or paper) with site name, date, auditor, and material categories
Confirm PPE requirements for the facility (safety vest, steel-toe boots, hard hat, gloves)
Photo documentation of waste streams, staging areas, and signage
Recording counts, notes, and measurements in real-time
Measuring pile dimensions and container fill levels
Facility access compliance — high-vis vest at minimum
Spot-checking individual pallet weights if scale available
Marking counted items to avoid double-counting
Quick reference for A/B/C/D grading during counts
Walk docks and yard
Photograph waste piles, dumpsters, and container areas at each location. Note traffic flow and safety hazards.
Count pallets by grade
Tally pallets by condition (A/B/C/D grade). Note mixed materials and damage types. Use the grading reference below.
Log waste streams
Document recurring materials: corrugated, plastic wrap, stretch film, bands, Gaylord boxes, IBC totes.
Record current costs
Capture pickup frequency, haul-away costs, container rental fees, and any existing rebates.
Identify quick wins
Flag opportunities to repair, reuse, or sell instead of landfilling. Prioritize by volume and value.
Wide shot showing layout, access points, and proximity to dock doors
Front and side views showing volume, mix, and contamination
Current sorting instructions (or lack thereof) at point of generation
Close-ups of food waste, hardware, mixed materials in wrong bins
Broken stringers, split deck boards, missing blocks — supports grading
Before pickup to estimate fill rate and potential right-sizing
Wood Pallets
Standard 48x40 GMA or custom sizes. Hardwood (oak, maple) or softwood (pine, spruce).
Disposition: Grade and segregate: A/B for resale, C for repair, D for grinding/mulch.
Avg weight: 30-70 lbs depending on spec
Corrugated Cardboard
Single, double, or triple wall. OCC (old corrugated containers) is the commodity term.
Disposition: Bale and sell to paper mills. Keep dry and free of food/wax contamination.
Avg weight: Bale = 800-1,200 lbs
Plastic Stretch Wrap
LDPE film (resin code #4). Clear is highest value; colored/printed is lower value.
Disposition: Compact or bale. Must be clean and dry. Contaminated film is not recyclable.
Avg weight: Bale = 600-1,000 lbs
Plastic Pallets
HDPE or PP. Often blue, black, or gray. May have RFID tags.
Disposition: Return to pool provider, resell if in good condition, or grind for recycling.
Avg weight: 40-55 lbs
Metal Bands / Strapping
Steel or poly banding. Steel is magnetic and much heavier.
Collect in drums. Steel sells as scrap metal. Poly strapping is lower value.
| Grade | Condition | Stringers | Deck Boards | Value | Trips Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Like new — no repairs, no stains, no damage | Intact, no notch damage | All present, no splits > 1 in | $6-$10 | 8-12+ |
| B | Good — minor repairs acceptable | Intact, minor notch wear | 1-2 boards may have minor splits or repairs | $3-$6 | 4-8 |
| C | Fair — needs repair before reuse | Cracked but still functional, or one replaced | Multiple boards damaged or missing | $1-$3 | 1-4 (after repair) |
Direct Count
Count individual units when piles are accessible. Mark counted items with chalk to avoid double-counting.
Formula: Total units = counted items
Best for: Small to medium piles, organized staging areas
Pile Dimensions
Measure length x width x height of a pallet stack. Divide by single pallet dimensions.
Formula: Units = (L x W x H) / (pallet L x pallet W x pallet H). Standard 48x40x6 in = 1.33 ft3 per pallet.
Best for: Large stacks, yard storage, when direct count is impractical
Container Fill Level
Estimate dumpster/container fill percentage. Multiply by container capacity.
Formula: Volume = container capacity (yd3) x fill % x material density. Open-top 40-yd roll-off at 75% fill = 2-3 tons of wood.
Best for: Mixed waste in dumpsters, compactors
Current Disposal Cost
(Pulls per month x cost per pull) + (container rental) + (landfill tipping fees if separate)
Example: 4 pulls/mo x $375/pull + $150 rental = $1,650/mo
Opportunity Cost
(Resalable pallets per month x avg resale value) + (recyclable material x commodity price)
Example: 200 B-grade pallets x $4.50 + 5 tons OCC x $80/ton = $1,300/mo
Total Waste Cost
Current disposal cost + opportunity cost (value you are throwing away)
Example: $1,650 + $1,300 = $2,950/mo total waste cost
Potential Monthly Savings
Total waste cost - (new program cost + reduced disposal + rebates)
Example: $2,950 - ($800 program + $400 reduced disposal - $900 rebates) = $2,650/mo savings
| Industry | Typical Diversion | Top Performer | Key Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 60-80% | 90%+ | Wood pallets, corrugated, metal bands |
| Retail Distribution | 50-70% | 85%+ | Corrugated, plastic wrap, pallets |
| Food & Beverage | 40-65% | 80%+ | Pallets, corrugated, organics |
| E-Commerce Fulfillment | 45-60% | 75%+ | Corrugated, poly mailers, void fill |
Executive Summary
Key findings, total waste cost, top 3 savings opportunities with estimated value.
Current State Assessment
Waste streams by material, volumes, current costs, disposal methods, contractor performance.
Material Inventory
Pallet grades with counts, recyclable materials with weights, contamination rates observed.
Cost Analysis
Current disposal cost, opportunity cost, total waste cost using formulas above.
Recommendations
Prioritized list of actions: vendor changes, segregation improvements, new revenue streams, equipment needs.
Implementation Roadmap
30/60/90 day milestones with responsible parties, estimated costs, and expected returns.
30 Days
- Share audit report with facility management and sustainability team
- Issue RFPs to 2-3 recycling vendors based on identified material streams
- Install segregation signage at dock doors and staging areas
- Begin tracking weekly waste volumes with simple tally sheets
60 Days
- Select recycling vendor and execute service agreement
Clear view of waste composition and volumes
Cost baseline for current disposal methods
List of actionable savings opportunities
Data to support vendor negotiations
Foundation for sustainability reporting metrics
We can perform on-site or virtual audits and deliver a savings plan with specific recommendations for each facility.
