As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards become more rigorous, tenants are expected to take a proactive role in their building’s sustainability performance—especially when it comes to waste management. With regulatory frameworks like the EU’s CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) requiring detailed environmental disclosures, waste is now a compliance, branding, and financial concern.
Six Essential Waste Questions Every Forward-Thinking Tenant Should Ask Their Landlord
As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) expectations grow, forward-thinking companies are no longer content to leave sustainability to their landlords. They want accountability, transparency, and - most importantly - actionable data to help achieve their net zero goals. If you're a tenant searching for new premises or reviewing your current lease, your building’s waste management practices can no longer be an afterthought.
In the evolving ESG landscape, waste isn’t just about bins - it’s about branding, compliance, and cost. With the introduction of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), over 50,000 companies across Europe will soon be required to disclose detailed environmental data, including waste outputs. For many, this isn’t optional - it’s regulation.
Beyond compliance, employees and customers are more attuned than ever to a company’s environmental footprint. 70% of European employees say they are more likely to work for a company with strong sustainability credentials, and poor waste practices can undermine that credibility.
If you're planning a relocation - or even just auditing your current space - these are the six key waste-related questions you should be asking your landlord (and your tenant representative). Each one helps you assess whether your building supports your ESG goals or hinders them.
Why it matters:
The size of the waste room determines how much waste segregation is possible. In many EU countries, businesses are required to sort waste into at least four streams: mixed residual, paper/cardboard, plastic/metal, and organic/food. A cramped waste room often leads to poor separation, more contamination, and ultimately more waste going to landfill.
Tip: In high-performing European office buildings, look for a minimum of 1m² of waste space per 100m² of occupied office area as a good baseline for adequate segregation.
Why it matters:
Depending on local infrastructure and the landlord’s contract with the waste provider, only certain materials may be recycled. If your office generates a lot of cardboard or plastic, and the waste service doesn’t support those streams, you’re paying to landfill recyclable waste.
Fact: The EU’s average municipal recycling rate is 48%, but commercial office buildings can exceed 65% when well-managed.
Why it matters:
A building with data-optimised waste collection schedules is likely using technology to minimise environmental impact and cost. But beware: over-collection may suggest inefficiencies and could be pushing up your service charges unnecessarily.
Tip: Ask whether collections are based on data or fixed schedules. Smart bins = smart bills.
Why it matters:
Most buildings allocate waste output pro-rata by floor area, not by actual usage. This means a low-waste tenant may be unfairly charged for neighbours’ excess. Worse still, without granular data, you can’t report accurately on your own ESG performance.
Best practice: Look for buildings offering digital metering or weight-based systems that track individual tenant usage.
Why it matters:
Annual or even quarterly reporting provides limited scope for improvement. To drive real change, you need frequent, detailed feedback on how much waste you’re producing, what types, and what trends are emerging.
Fact: Buildings with monthly or real-time waste dashboards report up to 20% faster reduction in total waste compared to those without.
Why it matters:
Net zero isn’t just about energy. Waste emissions - from transport to incineration - are a critical but often overlooked part of your carbon footprint. A proactive landlord should support you through:
Only measuring once a year? That gives you just five opportunities to adjust your strategy before 2030.
In Europe’s fast-moving ESG environment, tenants that take initiative on waste will not only stay ahead of regulation, but also reduce costs, attract talent, and enhance their sustainability credibility. Holding your landlord accountable on waste isn’t just good practice—it’s a competitive advantage.
Before signing your next lease, or renewing your current one, use this guide as your ESG checklist. The right questions now can save you time, money, and environmental damage down the road.
