# Recording Waste

Waste happens: a shot pulled wrong, a jug of milk left out, a pastry that did not sell. Recording it takes a few taps on the tablet, and it is what keeps your inventory from drifting away from reality between counts.

## Log it as it happens

On the tablet, open **Waste**.

![The Waste Entry screen on the tablet](https://ikhejtbmenrxkoctpysb.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/kb-screenshots/kb/recording-waste/2/5fcae6d6/1-recording-waste-waste.png)

Enter what was wasted and how much. That amount comes off your on-hand inventory straight away, the same as if it had been sold.

> \[!IMPORTANT]
> Record waste when it happens, not at the end of the week. A number reconstructed from memory on Friday is a guess, and it will be wrong in the direction that makes your COGS look better than it is.

## Why it is worth the ten seconds

- Your **on-hand** stays accurate, so order suggestions stay accurate.
- Your **COGS** includes waste, so the percentage you are managing to is the real one.
- Patterns show up. Consistent waste of one ingredient is usually a par that is too high, a prep batch that is too big, or a recipe that pours heavy.

## What you should see

An inventory that still matches the shelf at the end of a week with a couple of accidents in it, and waste appearing in your ledger as it happens.

***Account Level:** All*