Last updated: 19.10.2023
<aside> 💡 High-Level Description:
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK provides a comprehensive approach to understanding and managing the carbon footprint associated with waste, a sector that encompasses diverse materials, including organic waste, recyclables, and non-recyclables. The methodology DEFRA adopts relies on detailed life cycle assessments, tracing products from the point of disposal to their final processing. This process-oriented approach takes into account emissions generated during waste treatment, encompassing incineration, landfilling, recycling, or composting, each having distinct environmental impacts.
DEFRA’s guidelines stand out for their inclusivity, addressing the indirect emissions linked with waste processing, not just the direct emissions from decomposition or incineration. This comprehensive perspective encourages businesses and local authorities to consider the broader environmental implications of waste, from resource extraction and product design to end-of-life processing. By adhering to these guidelines, stakeholders in the waste sector can implement more sustainable waste management strategies, which contribute to the UK's broader environmental targets, including significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
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co2_in_g = amount * co2_in_g_per_unit
{
"expand": [
"items"
],
"items": [
{
"type": "waste",
"methodology": "DEFRA",
"external_reference": "string",
"waste_type": "wood",
"waste_processing": "closed_loop",
"weight_in_tonnes": 2.4
}
]
}