The way Plan A calculates Waste Generated in Operations emissions depends on the calculation method you select when uploading your data.
Emissions from waste generated in operations account for those emissions emerging from waste disposal in landfill. Emissions related to recycling and incineration with energy recovery are not accounted for in this category.
Note: the transport of waste to the facility is not part of waste emissions calculated on the Plan A platform (which is in line with the GHG Protocol).
Amount per waste type
Amount per waste type
This calculation method entails multiplying waste per waste type by an emission factor tailored to the specific waste type within the specified timeframe and location where the waste was generated. Landfill is used as the waste treatment method.
These factors take into account the typical disposal routes for each waste type, particularly the proportion directed to landfills and the associated emissions characteristic of landfill disposal for each type of waste.
This calculation methodology adheres to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.
It is worth noting that organic waste causes the highest emissions per kg due to the methane released when it is composting. Methane has a considerably high global warming potential which causes a high emission number even for smaller amounts of organic waste.
Total waste weight
Total waste weight
This calculation method entails multiplying the total operational waste by an emission factor tailored to landfill waste treatment within the specified timeframe and location where the waste was generated.
These factors take into account the typical disposal routes for each waste type, particularly the proportion directed to landfills and the associated emissions characteristic of landfill disposal for each type of waste.
The calculation methodology adheres to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.
Fashion: Weight per waste treatment type
Fashion: Weight per waste treatment type
This calculation method estimates emissions from the treatment of fashion waste generated during operations in the fashion industry, adhering to the GHG Protocol.
The calculation multiplies the mass of waste generated by the number of units sent to waste and a conversion factor representing emissions per unit of waste treated, based on the treatment method, reporting timeframe and the location of the waste treatment provider. The treatment types include incineration, landfilling, or unknown. If the treatment type is unknown, regional average statistics allocate emissions between incineration and landfilling.
Bring Your Own Emissions
Bring Your Own Emissions
Bring Your Own Emissions allows you to upload your own pre-calculated emissions to the Plan A platform. For more information, see here.
National Averages
National Averages
When specific data is unavailable, National Averages are used to calculate emissions estimates. National Averages represent the average values for a given type of activity data within a specific country.
For Waste Generated in Operations, the National Averages calculation method entails estimating emissions using a national average value for total waste consumption per full-time office employee. The total number of full-time office employees is derived from the Organisational Data input. Using this, we determine a national average waste amount (kg) per employee per month, based on an 'Office Employees Co-efficient', which determines the number of days per employee spent at the facility during which they will produce waste. The calculated total waste consumption is multiplied by an emission factor relevant to the timeframe and location.