What are Waste Reduction Metrics?
An explanation of the key metrics used to track and manage business waste, how to measure waste diversion and reduction, and why waste data matters for ESG reporting.
Key Takeaways
- Key waste metrics include total waste generated, waste intensity, landfill diversion rate and waste-by-type breakdown.
- Measuring waste helps identify cost savings as well as environmental improvements.
- Waste data is increasingly requested in ESG disclosures and supply chain questionnaires.
Key waste metrics explained
The main waste metrics used in business sustainability reporting are: total waste generated (in tonnes or kg per period); waste intensity (waste generated per unit of output, such as per £1,000 revenue or per tonne of product); landfill diversion rate (the percentage of waste diverted from landfill through recycling, composting or energy recovery); waste-by-type breakdown (separating general waste, recyclables, food waste, hazardous waste, etc.); and reuse rate (materials returned to production rather than disposed of). Tracking these metrics over time allows you to measure progress and identify where the most significant waste streams are arising.
How to collect waste data
Waste data comes primarily from your waste contractor's collection records and invoices. Most commercial waste collectors can provide weight data by waste stream — ask for this in your service contract if it is not already provided. For on-site waste generated before collection (such as production waste or food waste), you may need simple weighing equipment or to use volume-to-weight conversion factors. Duty of care waste transfer notes — which you are legally required to retain for two years — also provide a useful data trail. Consolidating this data into a simple monthly spreadsheet is sufficient for most SME ESG purposes.
Using waste metrics for ESG
Waste data is increasingly requested in ESG questionnaires from large customers, especially in food, manufacturing, retail and construction sectors. Being able to demonstrate a declining waste intensity ratio, an improving landfill diversion rate, or a specific waste reduction initiative gives concrete evidence of environmental performance. It also typically reveals cost savings: commercial waste disposal is expensive, and reducing waste volume reduces collection costs, raw material consumption and the cost of materials that become waste before they reach the customer. A simple waste audit — walking your site and identifying where waste is generated and why — is the most effective starting point.