Periodicity

Periodicity is the division of an organization's waste accounting into consistent time periods. This structured division enables meaningful comparisons and tracking of progress over time or against an internal baseline. By dividing waste accounting into consistent, predefined time periods, organizations can ensure a coherent and systematic reporting approach. This not only facilitates internal monitoring and goal setting but also enhances transparency and comparability for external stakeholders.

Anchor Date

The anchor date serves as the starting point for an organization’s waste accounting, marking the onset of its waste history. Selecting an appropriate anchor date involves considering the availability of reliable data and the relevance of historical context to current waste objectives.

Base Period

The base period defines the specific duration over which waste events are consolidated. Aligning with principles from international financial reporting standards, the base period's length can be adapted to suit organizational needs, ranging from daily to annual intervals. Quarterly reporting is the most common practice.

The selection of a base period is influenced by the organization's reporting requirements, the nature of its operations, and the need for alignment with other financial or operational reporting cycles. This period is critical for establishing regular intervals for performance evaluation, facilitating comparisons over time, and setting benchmarks for future waste goals.