Every six months, we take a deep dive into our building’s waste through the Bi-Annual Waste Audit (BAWA). It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what’s ending up in landfill, what’s being recycled correctly, and where we have opportunities to do better.
Over five nights, waste from each tenancy is sorted and analysed. This helps us understand how well we’re separating materials, how much contamination is present, and, most importantly, how much recyclable material is still going to landfill.
The big picture
During the latest audit, we found that 39.4% of what went into landfill could have been recycled. That’s a huge opportunity to reduce our impact; especially since correct sorting would have increased our building’s overall recycling rate by over 15%.
We also saw that general waste volumes dropped by 25.8%, which is fantastic progress. However, some recyclable streams, like paper and cardboard, declined, suggesting that some items may not be making it into the right bins.
Your tenancy’s goal should be to achieve a 75% waste diversion rate, and with a few simple changes in sorting habits, we can get much closer to that target.
What you can do
Your everyday decisions at the bin have a big impact on the whole building’s performance. Here are a few easy things you can do that really add up:
Take a second look before tossing: Are you putting paper, coffee cups, or food waste in the right bin?
Check both ways: We often talk about recycling contamination, but don’t forget to check your landfill bin for recyclables—these are missed opportunities.
Use the right streams: Whether it’s organics, paper, or coffee cups, the more accurately we sort, the better our results.
Don’t underestimate your impact: One well-sorted bin in your office can shift the building’s overall performance. It really is a team effort. Tip: Focus on your organics and paper first.
Specialist streams: If you’re unsure how to dispose of certain unusual items, feel free to check with Building Management to see if a specialised waste stream is already available.
Let’s keep improving
This audit shows that progress is possible and is already happening. The reduction in general waste and the rise in specialist recycling are strong signs we’re heading in the right direction.
Ensuring that organics go into the correct bins or making the switch to secure document destruction are examples of small changes that can make a big impact by reducing contamination and supporting better recycling outcomes.
With small changes like this and a bit more awareness, we can collectively lift our performance and move closer to our recycling goals.
