Work out your mixed plastics recycling emissions
= 14.0 kg CO2e in 2026 (Scope 3)
Each tonne × 4.6536 kg CO2e, the 2026 UK government (DESNZ) factor.
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Mixed plastics recycling emission factor by year
| Year | Scope 3 (kg CO2e per tonne) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4.6536 | -0.7% |
| 2025 | 4.6857 | -26.9% |
| 2024 | 6.4106 | -69.9% |
| 2023 | 21.281 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 21.280 | -0.1% |
| 2021 | 21.294 | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 21.317 | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 21.354 | – |
Total kg CO2e for the seven greenhouse gases, from the official DESNZ files for each year. 2026 factor ID: 20_505_5380_15_1. Where a factor jumps sharply between two years, it is usually because DESNZ changed its method or data source, not because the activity itself changed.
Worked example
Take a warehouse recycling 3 tonnes of plastic packaging a year. 3 tonnes × 4.6536 kg CO2e = 0.01 tonnes CO2e, reported as Scope 3, category 5 (waste generated in operations).
How to report it
As with other recycling, the factor covers collection and processing; the benefit of the recycled plastic is counted by whoever uses it.
Waste is Scope 3 category 5, waste generated in operations, which PPN 006 Carbon Reduction Plans must include.
Where the data comes from
You'll usually find it in your waste contractor's reports or waste transfer notes, in tonnes. Keep the source documents: anyone checking your Carbon Reduction Plan or SECR report may ask how each figure was worked out.
Read more about how the factors change each year in our guide to the 2026 conversion factors, or see how we apply them in our methodology.
Related emission factors
- Glass recycling: 4.6536 kg CO2e per tonne
- Scrap metal recycling: 4.6536 kg CO2e per tonne
- Mixed paper and card recycling: 4.6536 kg CO2e per tonne
- All UK emission factors