Original Air Date: June 3, 2026 1:00pm EST

Waste composition studies (a.k.a. “waste audits”) come in all shapes and sizes to serve a range of purposes and budgets. But whether an audit results in meaningful information or just a report gathering dust depends on the way it’s carried out. Factors like which collection streams to sample and how sorting categories are defined become critical to ensuring the right data for effective program planning.

The webinar featured industry experts reviewing best practices to design audits, starting by identifying project outcomes and the questions that composition data needs to answer. Our presenters will also cite case study examples from residential, institutional, commercial and other settings, showing how audit data was analyzed to guide diversion and upstream decisions.

Moderated By:

Alec Cooley, Senior Advisor @ Busch Systems

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Speaker Panel

MICHELLE LEONARD

Senior Vice President @ SCS Engineers

LAURA JOHNSON

Senior Project Professional @ SCS Engineers

ERIC MELITON

Manager, Sustainability Office @ Wilfrid Laurier University

ALEC COOLEY, MODERATOR

Senior Advisor @ Busch Systems

Downloads and Resources

CLICK HERE to view/download a PDF version of the presentation slides from all presenters used in the live webinar.

CLICK HERE to learn more about sustainable materials management services offers by SCS Engineers.
CLICK HERE to learn more about 2022 Iowa statewide material characterization study.
CLICK HERE to learn more about standardized ASTM guidelines for conducting solid waste composition studies.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Laurier’s sustainability office program.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Laurier 2023-2028 sustainability action plan.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Laurier’s freestore and move out program.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Laurier’s SportsArt campus challenge.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Laurier’s my green lab certification.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Laurier’s 2025 STARS report on waste reduction efforts.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Circular Innovation Council (CIC)’s waste auditor training & certificate program.

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