Disclosure focus
The composition can be presented by waste type, such as hazardous and non-hazardous waste; by waste streams relevant to the organization’s sector or activities; or by the materials present in the waste. The classification used should be explained and applied consistently.
The organization must also report contextual information necessary to understand the data and how the data has been compiled. This can include the reporting scope, measurement and estimation methods, data sources, assumptions, exclusions, and the reasons for differences between waste generated and the amounts directed to recovery or disposal.
When compiling the data, exclude effluent unless national legislation requires it to be reported as part of total waste, and use 1,000 kilograms as the measure for one metric ton.
Disclosure 306-3 covers waste generated in the organization’s own activities. Waste generated upstream or downstream in the value chain can be reported separately where the information is available.
Do not include significant-spill requirements on this page. Significant spills are covered separately by Disclosure 306-3 in GRI 306: Effluents and Waste 2016, which remains in effect pending its replacement through the GRI Pollution Topic Standard project.
This LRA educational guidance supports disclosure preparation. For the exact requirements, always refer to the official Global Reporting Initiative source.
Prepare
What to collect before drafting
Tick each field as the evidence lands. Owners are the teams that usually hold the source files.
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Waste composition
Waste / Operations / Sustainability ReportingPrepare and reconcile these columns: Waste composition; Waste generated, metric tons; Measured or estimated; Source; Notes.
Evidence Approved source records, calculation files and review evidence supporting waste composition.
Watch for The published response for waste composition is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
Before you start
- Disclosure 306-3 requires an organization to report the total weight of waste generated in its own activities during the reporting period, in metric tons, together with a breakdown of the total by the composition of the waste.
- Apply Disclosure 306-3 when the related topic is material and the disclosure is applicable under the relevant GRI Standard.
- Have the supporting records and the final response been reconciled?
How to prepare it
Request the data
Request the disclosure evidence
Translate the disclosure into an internal business question — then adapt it to your organisation's own language.
Provide the reporting-period records and reconciliations for Disclosure 306-3: Waste composition. Include scope, definitions, methods, assumptions, limitations, owners and approvals.
Use the organisation's own role and document names, but preserve the defined GRI terms and the scope described above.
Better request
Provide the reporting-period records and reconciliations for Disclosure 306-3: Waste composition. Include scope, definitions, methods, assumptions, limitations, owners and approvals.
Draft your disclosure
Notes that turn data into a disclosure
LRA training templates — adapt them to your organisation, and check the official source before sign-off.
Method note
Do not include significant-spill requirements on this page. Significant spills are covered separately by Disclosure 306-3 in GRI 306: Effluents and Waste 2016, which remains in effect pending its replacement through the GRI Pollution Topic Standard project.
Context note
Keep mandatory GRI Requirements, GRI recommendations and additional LRA preparation controls clearly distinguished. Apply a GRI 1 reason for omission where required information cannot be reported.
Download Centre
Preparation tools & forms
Download preparation tools for GRI 306-3 with free verified email access for 24 hours. Source-report links remain public.
Check
For each claim, check the evidence
Waste composition is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates waste composition.
Evidence to check Approved source records, calculation files and review evidence supporting waste composition.
Evidence pack to prepare
Common reporting gaps
- Using internal or approximate wording in place of the defined GRI terms.
- Changing the required reporting population or denominator without explanation.
- Treating GRI recommendations or LRA preparation controls as mandatory disclosure requirements.
- Leaving a reported field unsupported by traceable source evidence and review records.
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Peer comparison uses examples on this card, not prevalence in the report corpus.
Advice, not assurance
Framework references
Relevant GRI requirements and related disclosures
GRI
GRI 306-3
within GRI 306: Waste
Related & explore
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