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    Waste and Resources

    What is Waste Emissions?

    Greenhouse gas emissions from waste management activities including landfill, incineration, and recycling. Landfill waste produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

    Why it matters

    Waste management is a Scope 3 emission source that businesses can directly influence through reduction, segregation, and recycling. Diverting waste from landfill avoids methane emissions and often reduces disposal costs.

    Example

    A manufacturing company diverts 80% of its waste from landfill to recycling and energy recovery. Waste emissions drop from 35 tCO₂e to 12 tCO₂e, and waste disposal costs fall by £18,000 per year.

    Related terms

    Scope 3 Emissions

    All other indirect emissions occurring in an organisation's value chain, both upstream and downstream. Scope 3 typically represents 70-90% of a company's total carbon footprint and includes emissions from suppliers, business travel, employee commuting, and product use.

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