Annual Audit
How the audit works...
Each year we ask all our members to take part in an audit. This is an opportunity to calculate our collective impact by counting up the number of times our party kits are used within a 12-month period. It helps us demonstrate that small changes really do add up!
The next audit will be open from Monday 6 September until Monday 27 September 2027.
The 2027 Audit will cover the lending period from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027.
How to keep track...
There is a template for recording your bookings which will automatically track the number of items hired out
Audit 2026 Results
Thank you to everyone who took part in the 2026 Audit.
We collectively logged 332,742 single-use items avoided through the use of party kits!
We have now logged over 1.6 MILLION items since we started counting in 2020.
Welcome to 2027 Members Audit!
Each year we ask all our members to take part in an audit. This is an opportunity to calculate our collective impact by counting up the number of times our party kits are used within a 12-month period. It helps us demonstrate that small changes really do add up!
Last year we logged 332,742 single-use items avoided through the hire of our party kits. We can't wait to see what this year's total will be!
Calculating your impact
To complete the audit you need to calculate the impact of your party kit. For this, we count the total number of reusable tableware items lent between:
1st August 2026 & 31st July 2027
The 6 reusable items we count are:
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plates
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cups
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bowls
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knives
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forks
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spoons
There's a calculator below for working out a rough number based on the number of hires and average party kit size.
Help! If you need help please drop Isabel a message or chat via Facebook Messenger.
The audit needs to be completed by Monday 27 September 2027.
Annual Audit 2027
Your Impact Numbers
This audits covers the lending period: 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027. The numbers entered here can be your best guess.
Beyond the numbers
We know your impact goes beyond the numbers above. A few questions on what running a kit has meant for you and your community.
Your Listing
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we run an audit?
The main reason is to understand the collective impact of party kits - specifically, how much waste we've helped avoid together. It also helps keep our map up to date and gather feedback from members.
And it's a great chance for us to celebrate our impact in reducing single-use waste.
When is the 2027 Audit open?
Opens: Monday 6 September 2027
Closes: Monday 27 September 2027
What time period does the audit cover?
All uses of your party kit between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027.
Any hires after 1 August 2027 will count towards next year’s audit.
What counts in the audit?
We track how many times the following reusable items were used:
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Plates
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Cups
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Bowls
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Cutlery (knives, forks & spoons)
You don’t need to include items like jugs, serving platters, or decorations, but if you already counted them, that’s fine too.
Does it only include bookings through the Party Kit Network website?
No. All uses of your kit count, no matter how they were arranged. For the audit, you don't need to have a record of how hirers found out about you.
How do I calculate avoided single-use items?
Multiply the number of guests by the number of item types hired.
Examples:
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30 guests using plates and cups = 60 items
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30 guests using a full kit with cutlery (6 items per person) = 180 items
You can use our calculator or the Booking Tracker spreadsheet to help:
Should I count items that were returned unused?
Yes. Even unused items may have replaced disposables that would otherwise have been bought.
Can I include personal use?
Yes. Any use of your kit counts towards the total of single-use items avoided.
What if my kit was only used a few times?
Please still take part. Every use makes a difference.
I don’t know my exact numbers - what should I do?
Make your best estimate. Multiply the number of hires by the number of reusable items in your kit.
I joined the Network after 1 August 2026 - can I include earlier uses of my party kit?
Yes. Include all hires from the audit period, even if they were before you joined the Network.
I missed last year’s audit - can I include those figures now?
Yes. You can add any unreported past figures to this year’s total.
I have recently taken over a party kit - should I include figures from the previous owner?
Yes. If they have given you the data from hires which took place since 1 August 2026, then please include these in your reported figure.
I’m struggling with the form - can I email my data?
Yes. Please say whether you’re sending the number of hires or the number of items avoided. Please do NOT send us your Booking Tracker spreadsheet or any other personal data from your hires. Contact Us
What if I miss the deadline?
Please email your data when you can. If we haven't yet published our impact report, we will add it, or we will save it and add to next year's audit.
What happens with the audit data?
We never publish individual kit data without permission. We do share:
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A collective total for the whole network
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A total by country
These appear in our Impact Report, on our website, social media, and in our annual report to Companies House.
My party kit has changed hands or closed - what should I do?
If someone else is now running your kit, please ask them to get in touch. If your kit has closed, let us know so we can update the map.