How to Perform a Home Waste Audit

A home waste audit is a simple yet powerful way to understand your household's waste generation habits and identify opportunities to reduce your environmental footprint.

Start by setting up designated bins or containers for different waste categories: landfill, recycling, compost, and any other specific streams your local council offers (e.g., soft plastics). Keep these separate bins for one week and track how you use them, how often you change the bin liners.

A family sorting their household waste into different color-coded bins representing various waste categories such as compost, recycling, landfill. The style should be bright, clear, and slightly whimsical. Consider using a family with members of different generations. Include several items to sort, showcasing real waste items.

Once you have a week's worth of data, analyze the contents of each bin. Pay attention to the types and quantities of materials present, and where you tend to generate the most waste.

A person looking thoughtful while examining the contents of their kitchen rubbish bin, realizing how much waste they produce. The image should be close-up and emphasize the person's facial expression of concern and awareness. The style should be realistic and evoke a sense of personal responsibility.

Reflect on your findings. Were there any surprises? Are there easy changes that you can make immediately to reduce your impact? This activity may show you some new tips and tricks towards a more sustainable lifestyle.