How to measure emissions from Waste glass

What counts as Waste glass

Glass waste generated by the organisation and sent for treatment or disposal, recorded in tonnes. Excludes glass purchased as packaging or a raw material (see Materials or Packaging), which is recorded as a purchased good rather than a waste stream.

Waste glass is a single, undifferentiated sub-type ("Waste: All glass") within the wider waste cluster, reflecting that glass recycling and disposal routes are generally reported at an aggregate level by waste contractors rather than split by glass colour or product type. As with other waste entries, the treatment route matters more than the glass type itself — use the waste type data entry option to reflect whether the material was recycled, sent to landfill, or processed by another route.

What activity data you need

Collect the most specific physical unit available. Unit definitions are in Appendix I — Description of Units.

• tonne

Which emission scope it falls under

Waste glass activity data typically maps to Scope 3 Category 5 under the GHG Protocol. Confirm organisational boundary and ownership before reporting.

Sub-types available in the platform

All 1 sub-type available in the platform.

• Waste: All glass

Data entry options

• waste type

  Select waste type when entering waste glass activity data in the platform.

Full list of data entry options

Common questions

We collect glass in a mixed recycling bin with other materials — how do we record it?

If your waste contractor does not provide a material-level breakdown for mixed recyclables, you cannot isolate a glass-specific figure; record the mixed stream under the closest matching general waste entry and note the limitation, or ask your contractor whether a compositional breakdown is available.

Does broken glass sent for landfill count differently from glass sent for recycling?

Both are recorded as glass waste tonnage; select the waste type option (landfill vs recycling) to reflect the actual treatment route reported on your consignment note, since this affects the result even though the underlying material is the same.

Should glass packaging waste from goods we receive be included?

Yes, if your organisation generates it as waste (for example, unpacking deliveries) and it forms part of your operational waste stream; the origin of the glass does not change how it is recorded once it becomes waste.

How precise does our tonnage figure need to be if glass is weighed together with other waste at the depot?

Use the most granular figure your waste contractor can provide; if only a combined weighbridge ticket exists for mixed loads, apply the contractor's stated composition percentage if given, rather than assuming an even split.

Is there a spend-based option for glass waste if we don't have tonnage?

No — this entry is currently tonnage-only; if you lack weight data, request it from your waste contractor's consignment notes or weighbridge records rather than substituting a cost figure.