Scope 3 Emissions

Last updated: 4 April 2026

Scope 3 Emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions from a company's value chain, including the disposal and recycling of products they sell.

Last reviewed by Marcus Williams on 23 March 2026

When you think about the carbon footprint of your electronics. Most people focus on what happens right when they purchase them. But Scope 3 emissions cover everything else-the production process. Transportation, and even how those gadgets get recycled at the end of their life. It's a bit like considering the entire journey of a product from birth to death.

For instance, let's say you buy a smartphone that ends up being sent back to China for recycling because there aren't local facilities available. The emissions generated by shipping it halfway around the world and then processing it are part of those indirect emissions. These types of emissions can often be much larger than what companies directly control since they involve numerous external suppliers and logistics.

According to the UNEP, A single tonne of circuit boards contains 40-800 times more gold than a tonne of ore.

Understanding Scope 3 emissions matters because it shows that buying electronics isn't just about how green a company claims its products are. It's also about the whole lifecycle, from manufacturing to disposal. For example, Apple reported in 2019 that their Scope 3 emissions were over three times larger than their direct emissions, highlighting the need for companies to take responsibility beyond what happens within their four walls.

This concept ties into other e-waste terms like "circular economy" and "sustainable manufacturing," which focus on reducing waste and reusing materials. By addressing these broader impacts, businesses can contribute more effectively to environmental goals while also improving their sustainability profiles.

According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2020, over 53 million metric tons of e-waste were generated globally in 2019, with only a small fraction being recycled properly. This statistic highlights the significant impact that proper electronics recycling can have on reducing indirect emissions and building more sustainable practices across the industry.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, The world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022, up 82% from 2010.

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