Scope 3.5 - Emissions associated with the disposal of waste resulting from the treatment, use, and disposal of the purchased goods and services

Scope 3.5 emissions include the indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the disposal of waste resulting from the treatment, use, and disposal of the purchased goods and services. This covers both the waste your company directly produces and the waste generated in the upstream supply chain by your suppliers.

Examples of Scope 3.5 Emissions:

• Emissions from the disposal of packaging materials that your company receives with delivered goods.
• Emissions from the treatment and disposal of leftover materials and waste generated in production after the purchased materials have been processed.
• Emissions from the landfilling, incineration, or recycling of materials used by suppliers for the manufacturing and delivery of goods.

Relevant Activities for Scope 3.5 Emissions:

To identify your company’s Scope 3.5 emissions, you should examine the following activities and areas:

• Disposal of packaging: Disposal of packaging materials that come with purchased goods, including cardboard, plastic wrap, pallets, etc.
• Waste from production processes: Waste generated in your production process after the purchased raw materials and materials have been used.
• Supplier waste: Waste generated by suppliers, such as excess materials or waste produced during the preparation of goods for shipment to your company.
• Handling of hazardous waste: Disposal and treatment of hazardous waste resulting from the use of certain materials, including the associated emissions.

Where Can I Find Data on My Scope 3.5 Emissions?

Collecting Scope 3.5 emissions data requires information on waste quantities and waste treatment methods. Potential data sources include:

• Waste management reports: Reports from waste disposal service providers that provide detailed information on the quantity and type of waste disposed of and the methods of waste treatment (e.g., recycling, landfilling, incineration).
• Supplier information: Data from suppliers about the quantities and types of waste generated during the production and delivery of goods, including how that waste is disposed of.
• Production data: Internal data from your production process that includes information about the waste generated during the processing of purchased materials.
• Industry-specific emissions factors: If specific waste data is unavailable, industry-specific or generally accepted emissions factors can be used to estimate emissions. These factors can often be found in publicly accessible databases or environmental reports.