Frequently Asked Questions
Including Scope 3 Emissions in Your Climate Action Plan
States, cities, and metropolitan regions developing climate action plans are increasingly exploring the broader impact of their jurisdictions’ economic activities on global emissions. This FAQ (PDF) (5 pp) presents a background on Scope 3 emissions and reasons for including them in a climate action plan, with an emphasis on the benefits for economic development and expanding the reach and impacts of GHG reduction.
Presentations
Materials Management PowerPoint Presentation and Narrative Script
This resource can be used as a tool to educate your colleagues, peers, policy makers, etc. on the tools of sustainable materials management. Included is a PowerPoint Presentation and Narrative Script on Materials Management and Climate Change, including consumption patterns, greenhouse gas connection to materials, the role of materials management, and ways to reduce material-related greenhouse gases.
Toolkits
Climate-Friendly Purchasing Toolkit
Up to 55% of a government's carbon footprint can come from their purchasing! Find out how to reduce your impact institutions carbon footprint with our newest toolkit!
Climate Action Toolkit
Aimed at state and local government climate change staff, solid waste professionals, sustainability coordinators, and public outreach staff. The toolkit contains resources on climate protection actions, example climate action plans, measurement tools, and more.
Food: Too Good To Waste
Contains resources to learn about household food waste; tools to help households reduce waste and buy “smarter” with measurement tools, shopping lists, mobile apps, and storage guides; and ways to get your local community involved in reducing wasted food from households.
Reports
Updated: Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: Ideas for Integrating Climate Mitigation (PDF) (290 KB) (October 2023)
A white paper for waste reduction professionals and policy makers to examine a more comprehensive approach to reducing the environmental impacts of packaging. Updated to include extensive annotations.
Background Research Report for the Food: Too Good to Waste Pilot (PDF) (September 2012)
A background research report which discusses the literature and research pertaining to the amount of food waste generated, the environmental impact of food waste, and opportunities to change household behaviors to reduce food waste.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Recycling and Composting (PDF) (May 2011)
A summary report by the Materials Management Workgroup to help governments and other organizations make informed and strategic decisions about how to direct their limited resources toward end-of-life management of materials that provides the most significant impact on life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.
Materials Management Research Summaries
Collaborative Consumption and the Sharing Economy PowerPoint, 2014 (PDF)
The PowerPoint presentation on Sustainable Consumption and the Sharing Economy from the 2014 West Coast Climate and Materials Management Forum Annual Meeting.
Changing Consumer Behavior, 2012 (PDF)
A Summary of Research Findings and Gap Analysis on Changing Consumer Behavior which identifies a number of potential government interventions that might change consumer behavior, in addition to specific types of behaviors that might be targeted for change. This report addresses a variety of questions related to Changing Consumer Behavior; research and results are outlined in the paper.
Optimal Waste Management Pathways, 2012 (PDF)
A Summary of Research Findings and Gap Analysis on Optimal Waste Management Pathways. The solid waste management hierarchy generally holds true when examining optimal waste management pathways for Greenhouse Gas reduction benefits. The report addresses a variety of questions relating to Optimal Waste Management Pathways; research and results are outlined in the paper.
Organic Waste Diversion and Disposal, 2012 (PDF)
A Summary of Research Findings and Gap Analysis on Life Cycle Analysis of organics diversion and disposal strategies. The report addresses a variety of questions regarding LCA of Organics diversion and disposal strategies; research and results are outlined in the paper.
Product Design and Packaging, 2012 (PDF)
A Summary of Research Findings and Gap Analysis on Product Design and Packaging. How products can be designed, made, and packaged as a new focus of materials management strategy. The literature highlights the importance of understanding at what stated during the life cycle do GHG emissions occur at the greatest magnitude. The report addresses a variety of questions regarding Product Design and Packaging; results are outlined in the paper.
Waste Prevention, 2012 (PDF)
A Summary of Research Findings and Gap Analysis on Waste Prevention: Finding and comparing waste prevention strategies for governments, local businesses, and households. The report addresses a variety of questions regarding Waste Prevention; research and results are outlined in the paper.