How to measure emissions from Waste paper

What counts as Waste paper

Paper and cardboard waste generated by an organisation, covering board, books, paper and mixed paper/board streams sent for recycling or disposal. Distinct from paper or card purchased as a material or packaging input.

This page tracks paper and cardboard leaving the organisation as waste — not paper purchased for office use, printing or packaging, which belongs under materials or purchased goods activity data rather than here. Where paper and board are collected in a single mixed stream, use 'Waste: Mixed board and paper' rather than splitting an unmeasured estimate between 'Waste: Paper only' and 'Waste: Board only'. Confidential waste sent for secure shredding is still paper waste for these purposes and should be included using whichever sub-type matches the material, even though it is collected under a separate confidentiality contract.

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 paper 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 4 sub-types available in the platform.

• Waste: Board only
• Waste: Books
• Waste: Mixed board and paper
• Waste: Paper only

Common questions

Does shredded confidential waste count as waste paper?

Yes — confidential waste is still paper or card once shredded, and should be reported here using the tonnage figure from your shredding provider's collection record, even though it is billed under a separate confidentiality service.

How do I split a mixed recycling collection into paper, board and other fractions?

If your contractor already reports a combined paper-and-board weight, use 'Waste: Mixed board and paper' rather than estimating a split yourself; only use the separate paper-only or board-only sub-types where the contractor provides those figures directly.

What's the difference between waste paper on this page and paper as a purchased material?

This page is only for paper and card leaving the organisation as waste or recycling. Paper bought as office stock, packaging or printed material is a purchased goods activity, reported elsewhere, not here.

Do I need separate figures for books versus general paper and board?

Only where your waste contractor or disposal route reports books separately, for example through a specific books recycling or reuse scheme; otherwise report the tonnage under the general paper or mixed board-and-paper sub-type.

Where do I find weight data if my paper and card go into a single mixed dry recycling bin?

Request the material composition report from your recycling contractor, who typically separates paper and card from plastics, metal and glass by weight for their own reporting; use that figure rather than an estimate.