The Waste Auditor Training I recently completed with the Circular Innovation Council equipped me with the practical knowledge and skills to implement the Standard Waste Audit Method for small scale audits here in Saskatoon. The balance of experiential and online learning, as well as the range of case studies and instructor anecdotes helped me develop a clear understanding of how to prepare for, complete and report on a waste audit. As an Environmental Coordinator focused on waste diversion in Saskatoon, this course also provided a valuable look at the way Waste Audits are used as a benchmarking tool in other provinces.
Claire MillerCity of Saskatoon
What a great course, it was very informative, well organized, and had engaging facilitation! I am definitely going to use my learnings for my work in the future, and would recommend that anyone involved in evaluating waste impact or diversion should be taking this course.
Christopher PykeRecyclable Materials Marketing (ReMM)
I found the training to be very helpful in understanding the legal requirements and in providing guidance for waste audits. It was well structured, the in-person visit to the sorting facility was well organised, and the interaction with the trainer made the online course feel dynamic. The exam covered all the aspects discussed and it was a very good way to verify the participant’s level of knowledge. This training helped me in my work and offered me useful tools. I highly recommend this course to current or future waste auditors.
Stefania VlasiuEnvironment and Climate Change Canada
I found CIC’s Waste Audit Training to be very informative, filled with practical knowledge and skills while providing excellent guidance on standards to apply in a waste audit. The course was very engaging, logically delivered with useful case studies. It is not only useful for those involved in auditing the waste but also for those reading the report, to better understand what it took to develop it. It will useful knowledge for my work.
Sarah FisetEnvironment and Climate Change Canada
I really enjoyed the course. My job is more Operations/Client facing, but understanding how the Audit process works will be greatly beneficial with my discussions with our Clients. Especially given the spotlight on companies ESG goals.
Steve O’ConnorSenior Manager, Strategic Sourcing, BGIS
I came into the course with limited knowledge about waste auditing, and what I valued most was the practical hands on waste audit experience where I could ask questions live about material sortation and receive the answers I was looking for. It was so interesting learning about all the formulas that go into waste auditing, and although I don’t consider myself a “math person”, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed calculating year over year changes and capture rates. Learning with a smaller team felt more intimate and helped me feel more confident to ask any questions I speak up, so I valued the smaller classroom size during this experience. I think the length of the course was perfect and the exam fully captured everything we had learned. I now feel confident to conduct waste audits within my company and am thankful the resources have been not only provided to me to use, but were explained in depth so that way I can now teach others my learnings from this course to help me conduct waste audits.
Julia RondinoneSustainability Specialist, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd
Circular Innovation Council’s Waste Auditor training was a fantastic experience; the instructors were very knowledgeable, helpful, and eager to support, with lots of opportunities to ask questions and discuss. The hands-on portion was especially helpful; I don’t believe I would have felt as confident as I do now to perform a waste audit had there not been that element. All in all, a fairly complex topic/process was made easy to navigate and understand. I highly recommend this course to anyone.
Elisa SebastianESG Manager, Mohawk MedBuy
The Circular Innovation Council’s Waste Auditor Training Program was extremely informative and practical. Using a combination of virtual and in-person training, this course developed a thorough and well-rounded program that positions its students for success. My role in sustainability in the waste management industry requires extensive knowledge and understanding of waste audits. This program offered a tailored education that has honed my waste auditing skills, advanced my knowledge and understanding of waste auditing in Ontario and across Canada, while elevating what I can offer my clients in service and support. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and supportive of the success of each student. Thank you to Shirley and Will for a great experience taking this course, which I am sure to call on regularly throughout my career.
Brielle DobesEnvironmental Sustainability Manager, Union Environmental Solutions Inc.
We became interested in the course due to the inconsistencies that we have observed in waste audits in our area and the lack of standardization in methodology. The course was concise and provided a clear pathway from regulation to real world solutions for auditing and business solutions. The instructors showed experience and knowledge of the subject matter and I feel very prepared for future audits. Their willingness to ensure we comprehended the material was very much appreciated.
Steve Copp & Nancy LeCouffeMirror Nova Scotia Ltd., Part of The Municipal Group of Companies
I took the Waste Auditor Training to build a stronger foundation for data-driven waste diversion initiatives at the municipal level. The course offered clear, practical tools that I can directly apply to improve how we track and communicate waste reduction outcomes.
Wasan JemaTown of Okotoks
I took the Waste Auditor Training with Circular Innovation Council to strengthen my knowledge of waste auditing and support more effective, accountable waste reduction strategies. The course exceeded my expectations — it offered practical tools, clear guidance, and deep insight into regulatory and operational aspects of auditing. I highly recommend it to anyone working in sustainability or waste management.
Rose AlipourBC Sales Support Manager, Robust Recycling
I recently attended the Waste Auditor Training Course offered by CIC, and it was an excellent experience. Will and Shirley were amazing, very knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive throughout the course. The onsite ‘mock’ waste audit was incredibly helpful, giving me hands-on experience that made the concepts we covered in lectures and workshops much more tangible.
The course provided very through, useful and practical information, from creating audit plans to applying auditing skills through real-world scenarios. I left with tools and knowledge that will greatly assist me moving forward in conducting waste audits, and it’s reassuring to know I have CIC as a resource. This training enhanced my technical skills but also gave me confidence in identifying opportunities for waste reduction, cost savings, and improved environmental performance within organizations. I would highly recommend this course to anyone involved in materials management or sustainability.
Kate BlevinsSustainability Consultant, ReMM group
Upcoming Course: May 5-8, 2026
Day 1: Zoom session: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Day 2: In-person waste audit 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Day 3: Zoom session: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Day 4: Zoom session: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (includes final exam).
Important: In-person waste audits are central to the learning experience and a required component referred to in the final exam.
Member Rate : $1,575
Non-Member Rate : $1,775
Email shirley@circularinnovation.ca to express interest or reserve a spot.
find a waste auditor service provider from our list of graduates
Waste Audit & Benefits
A waste audit analyzes a facility’s waste stream. It identifies the type of waste and recycling materials generated, and how much of it is recovered for recycling or lost to disposal. The data from a waste audit allows organizations to identify and establish options for reduction, enhanced diversion and potential for cost savings and recovery.
Benefits of a waste audit
Reduction, reuse and recycling saves money by reducing disposal and hauling costs, and items captured for recycling can be sold as a commodity. A waste audit helps organizations identify savings and revenue opportunities.
As part of 3RCertified, organizations are required to conduct a waste audit. A waste auditor investigates the sources, composition, weight, volume, and destinations of material that an organization or facility generates. With a greater understanding of material being generated organizations can make informed choices on purchasing and procurement, which will lead to less material generated, more diversion options, and increased cost savings and environmental performance.
A thorough and efficient materials management program will increase the amount of paper, plastic, wood, glass, and metals diverted from disposal, and reduce air and water pollution, mitigate climate change, and conserve natural resources.
Professional Development
Circular Innovation Council offers Waste Auditor Training sessions, which are based on a Standard Waste Audit Method that supports development in key areas:
- accurate and standardized methods of measuring and reporting performance
- auditing principles
- sampling methods
- benchmarking and data analysis
- best practices
- compliance with regulation
Waste Auditor Training is a popular learning and development opportunity, and each session is limited to 12 -16 registrations.
Training Objectives
Learning Outcomes
What’s Included?
Fees
Cancellation Policy
Individuals
Organizations
Training Objectives
A combination of lectures and workshops offers attendees hands-on experience through case studies, creation of audit plans, and development and application of auditing skills through table-top scenarios and situational exercises.
Participants also learn about modern methods of performance measurement, methods of calculating waste reduction, and realistic indicators of effective source separation programs. Participants apply audit findings into compliant and effective waste reduction work plans that focus on waste reduction and reuse as priorities.
Learning Outcomes
Waste Auditor Training equips participants with the necessary tools to complete a waste audit for their organization in accordance with regulatory requirements and our Standard Waste Audit Method.
*Participants are required to pass both the in-class and written examination components of the training to be eligible for a Waste Auditor Certificate. To receive a Waste Auditor Certificate an overall minimum score of 70 percent based on attendance, participation, course work, and exam must be achieved.
What’s Included?
- Certificate of Attendance or Waste Auditor Certificate
- Two days of instruction and related workshops
- Hands-on Waste Audit
- Circular Innovation Council Standard Waste Audit Method
- Handbook and in-class training materials
- Networking with other waste and auditing professionals
Fees
Member Rate: $1,575
Non-Member: $1,775
All fees must be paid prior to the training. Electronic transfers also accepted. An invoice can be generated on request.
Cancellation Policy
Full refunds (less $150 administrative fee) are offered if notice of cancellation is made 14 days or more before the first day of class.
Full refunds are not offered if notice of cancellation is given less than 14 days before the first day of class. Rather, a class credit toward a future course for up to 75 percent of the registration fee is offered.
To provide notice of cancellations for Waste Auditor Training call 416-657-2797 ext.203 or email info@circularinnovation.ca
Individuals
Waste Auditor Training is a popular offering that attracts a diverse set of individuals who wish to expand their knowledge and experience:
- Seasoned waste auditors
- Recent university graduates
- Waste haulers and processors
- Custodial and environmental services staff
- Sustainability professionals
- Facility managers
- Green team members
- Representatives from IC&I waste generators, such as manufacturers, hospitals, and retail chains
Organizations
Circular Innovation Council offers specialized Waste Auditor Training for corporations with company- and sector-specific examples and exercises to examine existing waste and recycling programs.
Corporate training enhances waste and recycling management of an organization, and enables greater co-operation and standardization across multiple locations or departments. Internal management capacity and relationship with vendors are also discussed in a private setting not suitable in an open classroom setting.
Most importantly, with more efficient and knowledgeable staff, organizations can reduce cost and increase revenue from materials recovery.
Contact us to set up Corporate Waste Auditor Training
Evaluators
William Baird
AET Group
William Baird is a waste audit manager at AET Group. He is a Certified Environmental Professional and graduated from the University of Western with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution, he also holds a diploma in Environmental Control from Sheridan College.
William has extensive experience managing and leading solid waste studies and developing waste management programs for all levels of government and the IC&I sector and has completed hundreds of waste audits across Canada and the USA.
