Why is Waste Minimization and Diversion Essential to Carbon Footprint Reduction?
waste minimization reduces scope 3 emissions
Many companies are setting carbon footprint reduction and carbon neutral goals. In order to achieve these goals, most companies start by focusing on their fuels (Scope 1 emissions) and electricity (Scope 2 emissions). However, for many companies, Scope 3 emissions represent the greatest contribution to their emissions profiles and can be significantly larger than their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Scope 3 emissions are related to a company's supply chain, transportation of goods and services, waste, and employee travel. Waste is characterized as a Scope 3 emission because companies are responsible for creating the waste but they are not responsible for managing the waste internally.
The Problem with Organic Waste
It is also important to note that organic materials create methane in a landfill. Examples of these organic materials include food waste, paper, animal waste, waste water treatment plant sludge, and others. Methane is more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. It is imperative for companies to minimize these materials and select disposal methods that do not generate methane.
Our Philosophy
SSC believes that developing an effective Operation Zero Waste program is essential for companies to meet their carbon reduction/neutral goals and we have had major success with implementing these programs for our clients.
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Operation Zero Waste: How to Achieve Zero Waste to Landfill
As landfills continue to fill up, focusing on waste diversion will no longer be optional. Every single company will need to strive towards zero waste at their facilities or they will be left behind. Instead of viewing this as another item on a never-ending to-do list, SSC believes that this is an exciting opportunity to upgrade your processes to save money and valuable resources. We created a simple, 8-step process to help any company achieve zero waste to landfill at a facility or event.
Our Operation Zero Waste brochure outlines this process and delivers valuable insight on difficult-to-manage materials, the role of recyclers in the journey to zero waste, how waste minimization can help you reduce your carbon footprint, and more.