Waste Management & Recycling Flashcards

A company composting its food waste on-site must report what type of emissions in its GHG inventory?

Answer: Scope 1 biogenic CO2 and CH4 from the on-site composting process

On-site composting generates direct (Scope 1) biogenic CO2 and small amounts of CH4 and N2O, which must be reported separately from fossil-derived emissions.

The 'recycled content' approach versus the 'end-of-life recycling' approach in carbon accounting differ primarily in:

Answer: When in the product lifecycle the recycling credit is allocated — at input or output stage

The recycled content approach allocates the recycling credit at the input (use of recycled feedstock), while the end-of-life recycling approach allocates it at the output (when the product is recycled after use).

Which waste management method has the potential to sequester carbon, making it particularly valuable in net-zero strategies?

Answer: Biochar production from organic waste via pyrolysis

Biochar produced via pyrolysis of organic waste is a stable form of carbon that can be applied to soils, providing long-term carbon sequestration rather than releasing carbon to the atmosphere.

When a carbon auditor reviews a client's wastewater treatment operations, which GHG is of primary concern?

Answer: Methane and nitrous oxide from biological treatment processes

Wastewater treatment generates CH4 from anaerobic decomposition of organic matter and N2O from nitrification/denitrification processes, both potent GHGs.

Under Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) guidance, how should companies treat waste-related emissions when setting reduction targets?

Answer: Scope 3 Category 5 waste emissions must be included if they exceed 40% of total Scope 3 emissions

SBTi requires companies to cover Scope 3 categories that collectively represent at least 67% of total Scope 3 emissions, meaning Category 5 must be included if it is a significant source.

A logistics company generates packaging waste from returned goods. To minimize Scope 3 Category 5 emissions, which strategy should be prioritized first?

Answer: Implementing a reusable packaging program to reduce total waste generated

Reusable packaging (source reduction) sits at the top of the waste hierarchy, preventing waste generation entirely and avoiding both disposal emissions and repeated production emissions.

Which factor makes plastic waste particularly challenging to address in a corporate carbon reduction strategy?

Answer: Most plastics are not technically recyclable and end up in landfill or incineration globally, limiting circular economy benefits

Despite being technically recyclable in some forms, the majority of plastic waste globally ends up landfilled or incinerated due to contamination, economics, and infrastructure gaps, limiting GHG reduction potential.