Sustainability
3 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
Not directly through the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme for most SMEs — the Emissions Reduction Fund projects require scale (typically 10,000+ tonnes/year).
However, you can: (1) purchase ACCUs to offset your waste emissions ($30-50/tonne CO2e), (2) use certified waste diversion data in your sustainability reporting, (3) leverage waste reduction in B-Corp or Climate Active certification. Some large waste processors offer 'carbon-neutral waste' services at a 10-20% premium.
Key Numbers
- ACCU offset cost: $30–50/tonne CO₂e
- ERF project scale needed: typically 10,000+ tonnes/year
- Carbon-neutral waste premium: 10–20%
- Methane warming potential: 28× CO₂
What You Need to Know
Direct carbon credits are out of reach for most SMEs: Emissions Reduction Fund projects under the ACCU scheme typically require scale of 10,000+ tonnes/year. That does not mean recycling has no carbon value — it just shows up differently, mostly through avoided methane, which is about 28× the warming impact of CO₂ when organics rot in landfill. Practical routes for a business your size:
- Buy ACCUs — to offset your waste emissions, at roughly $30–50/tonne CO₂e.
- Use diversion data — certified waste-diversion figures feed straight into sustainability reporting.
- Certification leverage — waste reduction strengthens B-Corp and Climate Active claims.
- Carbon-neutral waste services — offered by some large processors at a 10–20% premium.
Maximising diversion — the core goal of Recycling Victoria — A New Economy — cuts the emissions you would otherwise need to offset. As an independent broker, Bundle Waste audits your invoice for free, compares a network of providers, and is paid only from the savings we find.
Related Resources
Related Questions
How does waste affect my business's carbon footprint?+
Waste sent to landfill generates methane — a greenhouse gas 28x more potent than CO2. Each tonne of general waste landfilled produces approximately 1.1-1.3 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions. Recycling 1 tonne of cardboard saves 1.4 tonnes CO2e; composting 1 tonne of food waste avoids 0.5 tonnes CO2e vs landfill. For a business generating 5 tonnes/month of waste, improving diversion from 20% to 60% can reduce carbon emissions by 2-3 tonnes CO2e per month.
What are scope 3 emissions from waste and why do they matter?+
Scope 3 emissions include all indirect emissions in your value chain — waste disposal falls under Scope 3 Category 5 (waste generated in operations). For most businesses, waste accounts for 2-8% of total scope 3 emissions. Under Australia's new climate reporting requirements, large businesses must disclose scope 3 emissions from 2027-28. Even if you are an SME, your corporate clients may ask for your waste data to calculate their own scope 3. Having audited data ready is a competitive advantage.
How do I measure my business's waste diversion rate?+
Waste diversion rate = (total waste recycled or composted / total waste generated) x 100. To measure: track the weight or volume of each waste stream (general, recycling, organics, cardboard) over 3-6 months using provider reports or weighbridge tickets. Most Melbourne businesses start at 20-30% diversion and can reach 60-80% with proper stream separation. Bundle Waste provides monthly diversion reports for all clients.
What is sustainability reporting and do I need to do it?+
Sustainability reporting involves publicly disclosing your environmental impact, including waste data. It is mandatory for ASX-listed companies and large businesses under the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (from 2025-26 for Group 1 entities). SMEs are not yet required to report, but many clients and procurement processes now demand waste data from suppliers. Having accurate waste diversion data gives you a competitive edge in tenders and client retention.
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Updated 25 June 2026
