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Waste Generated & Recycled (EN23) Methodology

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In 2018, the GRI G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines were superseded by the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI standards). This is the methodology for G4-EN23, which has been superseded by GRI 306-2. The new GRI 306-2 metric can be found here:
  • Hazardous waste recycled 306-2-
  • Hazardous Waste Created 
  • Total Waste Generated 
  • Non-hazardous waste
  • Total Waste Recycled 
  • Non-Hazardous Waste Recycled 
  • Total Waste to Landfill 

About

This metric is based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Guidelines. It covers one of the requirements of Indicator G4-EN23 - 'Total weight of waste by type and disposal method'. 

Data on waste generation figures over several years indicates the level of progress the organization has made toward waste reduction efforts. It also indicates potential improvements in process efficiency and productivity. From a financial perspective, the reduction of waste contributes directly to lower costs for materials, processing, and disposal.

Information about the disposal destination reveals the extent to which an organization has managed the balance between disposal options and uneven environmental impacts. For example, land filling and recycling create very different types of environmental impacts and residual effects. Most waste minimization strategies emphasize prioritizing options for reuse, recycling, and then recovery over other disposal options.

Methodology

This metric is asking for the total waste by type and disposal method.

For WikiRate researchers:

Companies who align reports to GRI’s Sustainability Reporting Standards often include a GRI Content Index or Annex where GRI disclosures, with GRI codes, are listed.

  • Use the GRI Index, CTRL F, Command F or search button on source preview to search for this index and metrics within the report

  • Use G4 codes, G3 codes or keywords to quickly find values, keeping in mind that some companies report on the metric using different terms, e.g. G4-EN23 or EN23, hazardous waste recycled

  • Always check the metric question and methodology for the unit of measure or currency - researchers may need to carry out calculations or conversions before entering the final metric value

  • Add comments documenting exactly where within the source you found the information (page number) and include details of simple or complex calculations or conversions made to determine the metric value

  • If you are unable to locate a metric value in a source you can search for additional sources where the data is available and add a new source

Further guidance on how to research values for GRI-based metrics is available here, including detailed guidance on adding, editing and checking metric values.

If no weight data are available, estimate the weight using available information on waste density and volume collected, mass balances, or similar information.

Reporting on this Indicator should describe in a comment to the metric value how the waste disposal method has been determined.