End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products (Scope 3 Category 12)
Category 12 of Scope 3 covers emissions from the disposal and treatment of products sold by the reporting company at the end of their useful life.
What is End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products (Scope 3 Category 12)?
Category 12 captures the waste treatment emissions for products after consumers discard them. This includes landfill decomposition, incineration, recycling, and other end-of-life pathways. The emissions depend on product material composition, disposal method, and volume sold.
For most companies, Category 12 is relatively small compared to manufacturing or use-phase emissions. However, it can be material for companies producing large volumes of single-use or short-life products, particularly those containing organic materials that generate methane in landfill.
Calculation typically involves estimating the total weight of products sold, their material composition, assumed end-of-life treatment pathways (based on national recycling and landfill rates), and applying DEFRA waste disposal emission factors.
Practical Examples
A packaging company calculates Category 12 emissions for its annual output of cardboard and plastic packaging using UK recycling rates and DEFRA waste factors.
A fashion retailer estimates end-of-life emissions for garments sold, assuming average UK textile disposal rates of 25% landfill, 35% recycling, and 40% incineration.
An electronics manufacturer reports Category 12 based on the weight and material composition of products sold, using WEEE recycling rates and landfill factors for residual waste.
How Climatise Helps
Climatise estimates Category 12 emissions using product weight, material composition, and UK end-of-life treatment statistics, giving product companies a complete cradle-to-grave emissions picture.
Book a DemoRelated Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Need help understanding your carbon data?
Climatise turns complex emissions data into clear, useful reports. Book a call and we'll walk you through it.
Book a Demo