ICLEI USA produced the Recycling and Composting Emissions Protocol (RC Protocol) in recognition of the contribution recycling and composting can make to greenhouse gas reduction efforts, and the high degree of influence that local governments have in this area. The RC Protocol represents the new national standard for measuring emissions benefits of recycling and composting at the community level. The RC Protocol complements ICLEI’s Community Protocol by providing additional guidance on accounting for the emissions benefits of recycling and composting activities in a community.

The RC Protocol is intended to help local governments account for the overall net emissions benefits of recycling and composting activities in their communities, as well as to estimate additional emissions reductions that occur outside the boundary of a community inventory.

See the full US Community Protocol

This resource includes...

Recommended data sources

Methods to calculate emissions

Information on avoided emissions

Need some assistance?

ICLEI USA's ClearPath 2.0 Team can help you calculate emissions from recycling and composting. To access this support, reach out to your member advisor.