They're very nearly identical. Both refer to something of value not being used as desired. However, "waste" can be accidental or even unavoidable. If you're building a table and one of your boards is a little too long, the part you cut off can be called waste. If you destroy a board out of clumsiness, and have to discard it, that is also waste. "Squander" is a result of foolishness or bad judgment. If you used a very expensive wood for a work table instead of using that wood for fine furniture, that would be squandering that expensive wood.