How we calculate emissions
Last updated: July 22, 2026
The emissions figures in your Simply Cups Impact Portal are modelled estimates, not direct measurements. The methodology was developed in collaboration with Pangolin Associates, an independent Australian sustainability consultancy.
​
We've set out the assumptions below so your team, or your assurance provider, can see exactly what sits behind the numbers and reference them in your own reporting.
What we measure
We model the greenhouse gas emissions associated with recycling your cups through Simply Cups, and compare them with a scenario where the same cups go to landfill. Emissions factors are drawn from the Ecoinvent and AusLCA databases, extracted using SimaPro under the IPCC 2021 GWP100 V1.03 methodology.
System boundary
We measure emissions up to the end of waste state: the point where material becomes a usable input for reuse, energy recovery or recycling.
​
This follows the polluter pays principle, which means the boundary covers every process involved in treating and recovering waste until it's fit for its next life. Transport to the recycling, landfill or incineration location is included.
Transport to the state depot and recycling facility
eLoop collects cups and transports them to the state depot. We calculate the average distance from collection points to the depot using the total kilometres travelled during collections, the proportion of cups collected per run, and the total number of cups collected. We use a minimum of three months of actual collection data and assume it's representative of the full year.
​
Cups then travel from the depot to a recycling facility. In Victoria and New South Wales the state depot and recycling facility are co-located, so no additional transport leg is required. In all other states, we include a further leg to the nearest recycling facility.
Transport to landfill
For the landfill comparison, we assume an average one way transport distance of 60 km for single use coffee cups sold in Australian capital cities. That figure is a midpoint of typical metropolitan waste transport distances, based on Australian waste infrastructure layouts, the use of transfer stations, and the location of peripheral landfill facilities.
Recycling rate
We apply a 100% recycling rate to cups collected through the Simply Cups system, based on a physical material flow approach. Every cup accepted and collected through our network is transported to a recycling facility for recycling.
Cup weight
The number of cups is calculated from the weight of material collected, assuming an average cup weight of 12.5 grams.
Prior to 31st Oct 2023, the cups were assumed to have an average weight of 10 grams.
A note on how to read these figures
These are modelled estimates prepared on a consistent basis. That makes them reliable for tracking movement over time and for understanding the relative impact of recycling versus landfill, but they are not a measurement of emissions at your sites.
​
If you're citing these figures in a sustainability disclosure, we'd recommend describing them as modelled estimates and linking to this page. If your assurance provider needs more detail, get in touch.
Changes to this methodology
We'll update this page if our data sources, emissions factors or assumptions change. The date at the top reflects the most recent revision.