Waste Audit Training Course

Learning Objectives

• Plan a Professional Waste Audit: You will learn to define the scope and objectives, assemble a team, conduct a safety assessment, and organize all necessary tools and logistics.
• Execute a Waste Sort: You will gain the practical skills to correctly collect a waste sample, set up a sorting station, and accurately sort materials into distinct categories.
• Collect and Analyze Data: You will know how to properly weigh materials and record data, then calculate key performance metrics such as waste composition, diversion rate, and contamination rate.
• Develop Actionable Recommendations: You will be able to interpret the audit data to identify key problems and opportunities for improvement.
• Create a Professional Audit Report: You will learn to compile your findings, data, and recommendations into a clear and persuasive report to share with stakeholders and drive change.

Key Course Features

• Data-Driven Curriculum: Master the technical skills to quantify and characterize waste streams, moving beyond historical estimates to conduct highly accurate, on-site waste audits and data analysis.
• Expert Instruction: Led by Dr. Calvin Lakhan, co-investigator of York University's "Waste Wiki" project and an expert researcher in waste management policy, recycling optimization, and pro-environmental behavior, who serves as the specialized course instructor.
• Actionable Outputs & Certification: Learn to translate raw data into professional audit reports with actionable recommendations for stakeholders, while establishing a pathway toward a recognized national micro-certification for waste audit proficiency.
• Comprehensive Practical Application: Utilize a standardized training toolkit to navigate the entire auditing lifecycle, encompassing pre-audit planning, health and safety protocols, on-site sorting, and final data visualization.

Who Should Attend?

Open to both the general public and the academic community, this course is especially relevant for students, faculty, and practitioners in environmental studies, geography, urban planning, civil engineering, supply chain management, and facilities operations.

Please note that you do not need to have a background in waste auditing or waste management to successfully complete this course.

Dr. Calvin Lakhan

Calvin LAKHAN, Ph.D, is currently co-investigator of the “Waste Wiki” project at York University, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (with Dr. Mark Winfield), a research project devoted to advancing understanding of waste management research and policy in Canada. He holds a Ph.D in Geography from the University of Waterloo/WLU joint geography program, and degrees in economics (BA) and environmental economics (MEs) from York University.

Calvin’s current research can largely be divided into four areas: 1) Evaluating the efficacy of municipal policy instruments used to promote waste diversion, 2) Optimizing the recycling system to achieve increased diversion while minimizing material management costs, 3) Examining the role of race and ethnicity as antecedents to recycling behavior and 4) Encouraging pro environmental behavior among minority and marginalized groups

Calvin has authored 30 academic articles in refereed journals, and more than 100 reports for a diverse range of stakeholders across multiple sectors and jurisdictions. He is a regular guest on nationally televised programs including CBC Marketplace, The National and CTV’s The Social, and has had his research featured in Macleans, Politico, Huffington Post and more.