Amount of waste reduced by the organization during the reporting period through programs for substitution, recycling, or recovery.
Organizations should footnote all assumptions used.
This metric is intended to capture waste reductions achieved strictly through the organization's operations. Organizations wishing to report on waste reductions achieved through the sale of products should report Waste Reductions from Products Sold (PI5926). Organizations wishing to report on waste reductions achieved through the provision of services should report Waste Reductions from Services Sold (PI5678).
Waste reduction through organizational operations may include efforts to reduce (i.e., using fewer inputs), reuse (e.g., repurposing rather than disposing or recycling excess inputs or unwanted outputs), or recycle (e.g., through established systems or through on-site processing) material or energy.
June 2022 - IRIS v5.3 Released (current version)
Immaterial change. Minor revision to usage guidance for clarity.
January 2020 - IRIS v5.1 Released
No change.
May 2019 - IRIS v5.0 Released
No change.
March 2016 - IRIS v4.0 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to metric name and definition language for clarity.
March 2014 - IRIS v3.0 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to definition language for clarity.
November 2011 - IRIS v2.2 Released
No change.
February 2011 - IRIS v2.1 Released
No change.
September 2010 - IRIS v2.0 Released
Immaterial change. IRIS ID changed due to framework upgrade. Minor revision to definition language for clarity.
September 2009 - IRIS v1.0 Released
New metric. Waste Reductions (OEN45) was developed via the Original IRIS Working Group.
IRIS Metrics Work Better in Sets
To use IRIS metrics—and the resulting data—to understand impact performance, IRIS metrics should be used and analyzed in generally accepted sets and according to well-defined objectives. IRIS+ gives you access to generally accepted Core Metrics Sets aligned to common Impact Themes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).