Purpose
This article explains how to set up waste meters and waste emission factors in Scaler, and how these inputs are used to calculate Scope 3, Category 5: Waste generated in operations emissions.
How waste emissions are calculated in Scaler
Scaler calculates waste-related emissions under Scope 3, Category 5, based on:
- Waste consumption data entered at asset level, with
Waste typebeing required to calculate emissions
- Waste emission factors configured at portfolio level
- Only landlord-controlled waste meters
Tenant-controlled waste meters are excluded from both dashboards and exports.
Waste emissions workflow in Scaler
Waste emissions in Scaler follow a two-part workflow, split across asset- and portfolio-level configuration:
- Define waste meters at asset level
(what type of waste is generated, and who controls it)
- Configure waste emission factors at portfolio level
(how each waste type and treatment method is converted to emissions)
Once both are set up, Scaler automatically calculates Scope 3, Category 5 emissions and aggregates them at company level.
1. Waste meter setup (asset level)
Before waste emission factors can be applied, waste meters must be correctly set up.
In the Scaler platform
- Navigate to
Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Asset List → edit asset → Meters & consumption → Waste
- Open a waste meter and select the
Waste type(e.g. Paper, Food, Plastic, Mixed, etc.).
- Under
Area type, confirm that the meter is set to a landlord-controlled option where appropriate.
Only landlord-controlled meters appear in the waste emission factor table.
In the Scaler spreadsheet
- Download the Scaler spreadsheet for the selected assets, including only the Waste tabs.
- Delete the Waste Consumption sheet entirely and edit only the Waste Meters sheet.
When the file is uploaded, Scaler will not modify any existing consumption values because the consumption sheet is not present. This is a recommended best practice to ensure that only the data you intend to update is affected.
- Update the
Waste typeandArea typecolumns as needed.
- Upload the edited spreadsheet back into Scaler.
2. Waste emission factor configuration (portfolio level)
In the Scaler Platform
- Navigate to
Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Emission Factors → Waste emission factors
- Enable the waste emission factors toggle. Scaler automatically generates rows for each combination of:
Waste typeSource(waste treatment or disposal method)
- Enter the emission factor value for each row, per country and per year.
- Add the
Reference(e.g.: UK DEFRA 2024 or EPA GHG Emission Factor Hub 2025) for auditability.
Important notes
- Only landlord-controlled waste meters appear in this table.
- A waste type must be selected on the meter for a row to be generated.
- The table can be downloaded to Excel or populated by copy-pasting from source datasets.
- Hover over the unit icon in the table to confirm required units.
All emission factors must be entered in kilograms of CO₂e per metric tonne (kg CO₂e / tonne).
Sourcing waste emission factors
Waste emission factors can be sourced from several recognised public datasets.
Below are the most common sources, example formats, and unit conversion guidance.
Source | Dataset | Access Link | Typical Unit | Conversion Required |
🇬🇧 DEFRA (UK) | GHG Reporting Conversion Factors | kg CO₂e / tonne | No | |
🇺🇸 EPA (USA) | GHG Emission Factor Hub | Metric tons CO₂e / short ton | Yes — multiply by 1102.31 | |
🇦🇺 NGA (Australia) | National Greenhouse Accounts Factors | t CO₂e / t | Yes — multiply by 1000 | |
🇪🇺 EEA (EU) | European Environment Agency Waste Data | varies | Confirm before entry |
Screenshot UK DEFRA GHG Conversion Factors
Screenshot EPA GHG Emission Factors Hub
Converting Units
When necessary, convert emission factors to kg CO₂e / tonne before entering them into Scaler.
Source | Original Unit | Conversion to kg CO₂e / tonne | Formula |
🇬🇧 DEFRA (UK) | kg CO₂e / tonne | No conversion needed | EF × 1 |
🇺🇸 EPA (USA) | Metric tons CO₂e / short ton | Multiply by 1102.31 | EF × 1102.31 |
🇦🇺 NGA (Australia) | t CO₂-e / t | Multiply by 1000 | EF × 1000 |
Examples of converting units
🇬🇧 DEFRA (UK) — DEFRA Conversion Factors
DEFRA factors are already provided in kg CO₂e per tonne.
You can use the value exactly as listed — no conversion required.
kg CO₂e / tonne = EF (as provided)Example
If EF for “Paper and board: paper (closed-loop)” = 4.68568 →
Enter 4.68568 directly in Scaler.
🇺🇸 EPA (USA) — GHG Emission Factor Hub
EPA factors are often reported per U.S. short ton (2,000 lb = 907.1847 kg).
To align with Scaler’s metric format, multiply the factor by:
kg CO₂e / tonne = (Metric tons CO₂e / short ton) × 1102.31Example
If given EF = 0.05 metric tons CO₂e / short ton →
0.05 × 1102.31 = 55.12 kg CO₂e / tonne
🇦🇺 NGA (Australia) — National Greenhouse Accounts Factors
NGA factors are expressed in tonnes CO₂e per tonne.
Only a scale conversion is required:
kg CO₂e / tonne = (t CO₂e / t) × 1000Example
If given EF = 0.15 t CO₂e / t →
0.15 × 1000 = 150 kg CO₂e / tonne
Guidance on sourcing and validation
- Always verify the original unit in the source dataset — CO₂e values can be expressed per short ton, metric ton, or kilogram.
- Convert all values to kg CO₂e / tonne before entry.
- Record the data source and year in the
Referencefield for auditability (e.g., DEFRA 2024, EPA 2025, NGA 2023).
- If unsure, use a verified calculator or AI assistant to double-check conversions.
Where you’ll see the results
Once entered, Scaler automatically calculates and displays waste emissions in:
- Data Collection Portal → Company → Performance → Scope 3 → Category 5: Waste generated in operations
- Exports include the metric:
scope_3_category_5_landlord_controlled_waste_emissions_kgco2e
Only emissions from landlord-controlled waste meters are included.
Tenant-controlled meters are excluded from dashboards and exports.
In the Scaler platform
In the Data Export
Volume-to-weight conversion using EPA waste types
Waste consumption data is often collected in volume-based units (for example, number of bins or cubic yards), while reporting and emissions calculations typically require mass-based units (tonnes).
To bridge this gap, Scaler supports waste-type–specific volume-to-weight conversions, aligned with methodologies used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (ESPM).
How the Waste type field works
The Waste type field allows you to specify the material composition of the waste stream (for example, cardboard, mixed recyclables, concrete, or food waste).
- When
Waste typeis not filled in: - Scaler applies a generic, non-specific conversion factor based on waste source (e.g. landfill, recycling).
- This provides a reasonable estimate, but may be less accurate.
- When
Waste typeis filled in: - Scaler applies material-specific EPA conversion factors to convert volume into mass.
- This results in a more accurate weight estimate.
- These conversions are also used as the basis for waste-related GHG emissions calculations, where applicable.
Waste types & conversion factors used in Scaler
Scaler includes EPA-aligned conversion factors for a wide range of waste materials. You can find them on the EPA website. The below values are from May 2025.
Waste type | Pounds to yd3 (cubic yard) |
Beverage Containers (aluminum, glass, plastic) | 113 |
Building Materials - Carpet / Carpet Padding | 105 |
Building Materials - Concrete | 860 |
Building Materials - Mixed/Other | 484 |
Building Materials - Steel | 225 |
Building Materials - Wood | 169 |
Cardboard/ Corrugated Containers | 106 |
Compostable - Mixed / Other | 135 |
Fats/Oils/Grease | 7.5 pounds/gallon |
Food /Food Scraps | 396 |
Glass | 380 |
Grass / Yard Trimmings | 250 |
Mixed recyclables | 58 |
Pallets | 169 |
Paper - Mixed | 245 |
Paper - Copy Paper | 323 |
Paper - Books | 428 |
Plastics - Wrap / Film | 35 |
Plastics - Mixed | 40 |
Textiles / Clothing | 150 |
Trash | 138 |
Why this matters
Using the Waste type field improves:
- Accuracy of reported waste volumes in tonnes
- Consistency with EPA and GRESB-aligned methodologies
- Reliability of Scope 3 Category 5 waste emissions calculations
For waste meters where GHG emissions are required, Scaler strongly recommends specifying the Waste type wherever possible.
These conversion factors are ESPM-aligned and based on EPA guidance. For reference, see the EPA volume-to-weight conversion documentation linked in the Scaler interface.