As one of the largest landlords in the country, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is setting a strong example for how to reduce waste in public buildings across the nation. It is achieving this with one key tool: waste audits.
For the GSA, waste audits are central to effective waste management. They are key to meeting diversion goals, cutting costs, and keeping facilities running efficiently. Whether it’s a federal courthouse or a state office building, waste audit data reveals what’s working, what’s not, and what to do next.
Now, as mandates like New York’s Executive Order 22 (EO 22) push more public institutions to develop waste diversion plans that include regular waste audits, the message is clear: if you’re not using waste audits to drive your waste management and sustainability strategy, you’re falling behind.
GSA Waste Audit Requirements: A Core Waste Management Strategy
In its sustainability plan, the GSA documents that it “has consistently held an annual 50% waste diversion target and will continue to implement strategies to surpass this target. GSA’s waste diversion strategy seeks to further reduce the percentage of municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition (C&D) waste entering landfills and incinerators via recycling and composting.”
As part of its mission to maintain high-performing buildings, the GSA’s waste management strategy requires regular waste audits across its portfolio.
The focus on waste audits reflect a data-driven approach that produces real, measurable results. Efforts to reduce waste to landfill, improve recycling and right-size waste services can all be measured with waste audit data.
The focus on waste audits also highlights the fact that waste reduction is a critical component of cost-effective building management. While sustainability targets on the federal level may shift, effective waste management will always be needed.
What Facility Managers Should Know About Waste Audits: 5 Key Benefits
Waste audits provide the crucial data that facility and sustainability managers need. As such they serve as the foundation for understanding a building’s waste profile, identifying inefficiencies, and improving recycling programs, signage, and waste collection infrastructure. Waste audits are the critical compliance and planning tool that every waste program is built around.
Here are five key benefits of waste audits:
- Identify What’s in the Waste Stream
Waste audits determine the types and volumes of materials generated, offering insight into how much waste is recyclable, compostable, or destined for the landfill. This is critical to improving sorting and reducing contamination, and ensuring that recyclable materials are not incorrectly sent to the landfill. Waste data will not only help improve downstream waste diversion but also inform upstream procurement decisions. - Evaluate Waste Program Effectiveness
Is your waste program working as effectively as it should be? A waste audit will reveal inefficiencies so that improvements can be made. It often uncovers key gaps that are easily fixed with improved signage or training. - Monitor Progress and Measure Success
Waste audits will allow you to set baselines and performance goals, and track progress over time, which is key for compliance with internal sustainability goals and state and federal mandates. - Optimize Service to Reduce Costs
Studies show that most organizations are overpaying for waste removal. Data from waste audits will help facility managers adjust pickup schedules and right-size bins to better match actual waste generation. - Verify Data to Support Certifications
Accurate waste data is crucial. Waste audits can verify data from waste haulers, and support sustainability reporting or efforts to achieve certifications such as LEED and TRUE Zero Waste.
New York Executive Order 22 (EO 22): A Local Complement to Federal Action
The emphasis on waste audits and waste eduction isn’t limited to federal operations. In New York, Executive Order 22 (EO 22) mandates state entities to create waste diversion plans that feature a schedule for conducting routine waste audits to assess diversion performance and opportunities for improvement.
Great Forest recently published a comprehensive EO 22 resource guide to help organizations understand and meet the order’s waste-related mandates. While EO 22 applies only to New York State agencies and authorities, it signals a clear direction. Overall, the actions taken by state and federal entities confirm the central importance of waste audits to any waste diversion plan.
Start With a Waste Audit: Use Data to Stay Ahead
If you manage a public facility that falls under the GSA or want to align your private business with best practices, waste reduction should be at the core of your operations strategy. Start with a waste audit, track your data, and make informed decisions that benefit your building and your bottom line.
Great Forest has worked with numerous government and commercial properties to implement waste audit programs that lead to measurable improvements. Our teams are familiar with the unique regulatory and logistical challenges of public buildings, and we deliver audit results in formats ready for both compliance reporting and practical decision-making.
Ready to implement a data-driven waste program that saves money and improves sustainability? Talk to us.
Learn More About Waste Audits
Waste Audit Benefits and Facts: What Every Business Needs To Know
Waste Audits and Waste Data: Everything A Facility Manager Needs To Know
Largest Global Commercial Waste Characterization Study: Insights from 100+ Waste Audits
Photo: Katie Moum