In practice

I am applying CS3 to calculate the Scope 3 packaging emissions of client portfolios at ReCykla. During the collection of EPR data on the platform, I also collect the specific additional data that a Scope 3 packaging calculation needs. CS3 turns that data into a packaging carbon footprint (kg CO₂e): a baseline, a detailed supply-chain hotspot analysis, and figures ready to be used for strategy and ESG reporting.

What it covers — cradle-to-gate, plus circularity

The embedded carbon across the phases a client controls:

• Production — making the plastics, cardboard and fibres a client imports.
• Upstream logistics — shipping those materials to the manufacturing sites.
• Processing waste — material lost or scrapped during processing and filling.
• Recycled content — carbon avoided by using recycled instead of virgin material.

What the assessment produces

A short or detailed report with useful interactive figures built for decisions and disclosure:

• The total carbon footprint of the packaging portfolio.
• A hotspot analysis showing where the impact is highest.
• Reduction insights — scenarios that test material or design changes before committing.
• Reporting-ready figures for CSRD / ESRS and ESG disclosure.

A double optimisation

CS3 adds a carbon layer on top of the ReCykla platform, so clients can optimise their packaging on two fronts at once. While ReCykla helps them make their packaging portfolio compliant with EPR regulation — and therefore pay lower EPR fees — CS3 lets them choose the packaging solutions that are also less carbon-intensive.

The payoff can be large: lower EPR fees; lower freight and material costs, by favouring less material, lighter and smarter shipping; as well as lower CBAM exposure on materials imported from outside the EU.