Yes, there is a need for that to be done. There needs to be effective, objective measurement, not just asking people how much waste they think occurs. Invariably, what we think and what actually happens is different. We see that regularly in our projects.
There is a report that will be coming out shortly. Ourselves, the Network for Business Sustainability, and Dave Sparling at the University of Western Ontario worked with Provision Coalition on a report that will be released fairly soon. It will shed some light on the answers to the questions you've asked.