Question 1

What ESG frameworks require recycling data?

Accepted Answer

GRI 306 (Waste), SASB (industry-specific waste metrics), CDP (waste and circular economy), UN SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), TCFD (climate-related disclosures including Scope 3), and the new SEC climate disclosure rules. Each framework has slightly different requirements — our reporting covers all of them.

Question 2

What recycling metrics do ESG reports need?

Accepted Answer

Core metrics: total waste generated (tons), waste diverted from landfill (tons), diversion rate (%), waste by material type, waste by disposal method (recycled, composted, landfilled, incinerated). Advanced metrics: CO2e avoided, energy saved, water conserved, and material recovery rate.

Question 3

How do you calculate carbon offset from recycling?

Accepted Answer

We use the EPA WARM (Waste Reduction Model) methodology, which calculates greenhouse gas emissions reductions from recycling specific materials vs landfilling them. For example, recycling 1 ton of cardboard avoids approximately 3.1 metric tons of CO2e.

Question 4

Can you provide data for Scope 3 emissions reporting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Waste management falls under Scope 3 Category 5 (Waste Generated in Operations). Our reporting provides the tonnage and disposal method data needed to calculate Scope 3 waste emissions using GHG Protocol methodology.

Question 5

What's the difference between GRI and SASB for waste?

Accepted Answer

GRI 306 is universal — any company can use it, and it requires waste by type, disposal method, and composition. SASB is industry-specific — different industries report different waste metrics. For example, SASB for healthcare focuses on regulated medical waste; for retail, it focuses on packaging. We format data for both.

Question 6

How often do you provide ESG data?

Accepted Answer

Monthly operational reports with all metrics. Quarterly trend analysis and optimization recommendations. Annual sustainability summary pre-formatted for disclosure — typically delivered in January for prior-year reporting.

Question 7

Can you provide data for a specific ESG rating agency?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS ESG, and S&P Global CSA each look at environmental data differently. We can format reporting to emphasize the metrics each agency weights most heavily for your industry.

Question 8

What if we're publishing our first sustainability report?

Accepted Answer

We start with a waste audit to establish your baseline metrics. This gives you a credible starting point and a measurement framework. Year-one reports focus on establishing the baseline; year-two reports show improvement trends.

Question 9

Do you provide data at the facility level or company level?

Accepted Answer

Both. Monthly reports include facility-level detail (per location, per material stream). Quarterly and annual summaries provide company-level aggregation. Multi-location businesses get both views.

Question 10

Can recycling data support green bond issuance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Green bond frameworks require documented use of proceeds for environmental projects. Our recycling program data — including tonnage diverted, carbon avoided, and certifications — provides supporting documentation for the environmental impact claims in green bond prospectuses.

Question 11

What about EU CSRD compliance?

Accepted Answer

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires detailed waste management disclosures. Our reporting includes the waste-related datapoints CSRD mandates: total waste, hazardous vs non-hazardous breakdown, disposal methods, and circular economy metrics.

Question 12

How do you ensure data accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Every pickup is weighed on certified scales. Weight tickets are the primary data source — not estimates. Material-specific tracking ensures accurate categorization. Monthly reports are reviewed for anomalies before delivery. Audit trail maintained for verification.

Question 13

Can we use your data for marketing claims?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with appropriate framing. FTC Green Guides require that environmental marketing claims be specific, substantiated, and not misleading. Our data provides the substantiation — specific tonnage, specific materials, specific certifications. We can help frame claims that are both impactful and compliant.

Question 14

What does ESG reporting add to program cost?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. ESG-ready reporting is built into every managed recycling program at no additional charge. The data is collected automatically through our normal operations — we just format it for sustainability reporting instead of leaving it in operational databases.

Question 15

Do investors actually look at recycling data?

Accepted Answer

Increasingly yes. ESG-focused funds ($35T+ in AUM) screen for environmental management practices. Waste diversion data demonstrates operational sustainability. CDP scores — which include waste metrics — are publicly available and influence investment decisions.

ESG Reporting & Sustainability — FAQ