Overview:
This session featured Scaler’s Sacha van Tuijn, Scaler Head of Client Success, on the platform’s waste data tools and Laura Rosenshine, WATS Co-Founder & CEO, on standardizing and centralizing waste data. The webinar covered how waste — long treated as a back-office afterthought — is becoming essential to ESG, Scope 3 emissions tracking, and operational strategy.
Key Themes Covered:
- Waste as the Final Utility Frontier
Waste remains the least standardized and least metered utility, despite being a recurring cost and emissions driver.
- Challenges in Waste Data Collection
• Inconsistent invoice formats
• Lack of automation
• Local infrastructure complexity
• Manual data entry in spreadsheets
- Watts Approach to Waste Management:
• Automates data collection directly from vendors
• Standardizes all waste data across stream types
• Uses OCR to digitize and enrich raw invoices
• Converts volume → weight for emissions tracking
• Flags duplicates, gaps, and anomalies
• Provides export-ready data for systems like Scaler, ESPM
- Scaler Platform Functionality:
• Waste meters can be created using invoice, bin-fill, or estimation methods
• Waste data flows into dashboards, framework exports (e.g., GRESB), and emissions views
• Custom emission factors can be added by country and disposal method
• Coverage gaps are visible portfolio-wide
• All waste data feeds into Scope 3, Category 5 GHG reports
- Strategic Impact:
• Link waste cost savings with sustainability outcomes
• Align vendors, asset teams, and data owners
• Unlock waste reduction planning
• Prioritize action at the most impactful sites
Audience Poll Insights:
- Biggest challenges: Data wrangling, availability, and internal buy-in
- Few are currently using waste consultants
- Most waste projects still focus on reporting rather than action
Recommendations:
- Encourage teams to set up proper meters and streamline vendor communication
- Use Watts for upfront ingestion and Scaler for downstream analytics/reporting
- Leverage waste GHG insights for Scope 3 narratives
- Educate internal stakeholders on how waste savings = emissions savings