RCP Emission Factor Reference Table: All Values in One Place

This reference table consolidates all emission factors used in Restoration Carbon Protocol calculations. It is the lookup document you use when completing a per-job carbon report — every factor needed for Categories 1, 4, 5, and 12 across all five job types is in this table, with source citations for audit purposes.

Version: RCP v1.0 | Factor vintage: EPA 2024, DEFRA 2024, EPA WARM v16 | Units: All values in kg CO2e unless noted as tCO2e

Table 1: Category 4 — Vehicle Transportation

Vehicle TypeFuelkg CO2e per mileSource
Passenger carGasoline0.355EPA Table 2, Mobile Combustion 2024
Light-duty truck / work van (under 8,500 lbs GVWR)Gasoline0.503EPA Table 2, Mobile Combustion 2024
Light-duty truck / cargo vanDiesel0.523EPA Table 2, Mobile Combustion 2024
Medium-duty truck / equipment trailer (8,500–26,000 lbs GVWR)Diesel1.084EPA Table 2, Mobile Combustion 2024
Heavy-duty truck — unloaded (26,000+ lbs GVWR)Diesel1.612EPA Table 2, Mobile Combustion 2024
Heavy-duty truck — loaded (waste hauling, C&D)Diesel2.25EPA Table 2 + load factor adjustment
Licensed hazmat waste hauler (ACM, lead, general hazmat)Diesel3.20EPA Table 2 + hazmat vehicle premium
Licensed hazmat hauler (PCB, high-hazard specialty)Diesel3.80EPA Table 2 + specialty vehicle premium
Medical waste hauler (biohazard)Diesel2.80EPA Table 2 + medical waste vehicle
Pack-out truck (contents restoration) — loadedDiesel2.25EPA Table 2 + load factor
Pack-out truck — empty (return trip)Diesel1.612EPA Table 2 — unloaded heavy

Table 2: Category 1 — Materials

Chemical Treatments

MaterialUnitkg CO2e per unitSource
Quaternary ammonium antimicrobial / biocide (liquid)Liter2.8EPA EEIO — Chemical manufacturing sector
Hydrogen peroxide-based antimicrobial/biocideLiter1.9EPA EEIO — Chemical manufacturing sector
Borax-based mold treatmentkg1.1EPA EEIO — Inorganic chemical manufacturing
Hospital-grade disinfectant (EPA-registered)Liter2.8EPA EEIO — Chemical manufacturing sector
Enzyme biological digester / deodorizerLiter1.6EPA EEIO — Specialty chemical manufacturing
Encapsulant / smoke-blocking primerGallon4.2EPA EEIO — Paint and coatings manufacturing
Thermal fogging agentLiter2.1EPA EEIO — Chemical manufacturing sector
Desiccant drying agent (silica gel)kg1.4EPA EEIO — Chemical manufacturing sector
Wetting agent / amended water (surfactant for ACM)Liter1.4EPA EEIO — Chemical manufacturing sector
Dry ice (CO2 pellets for blast cleaning)kg0.85EPA EEIO — Industrial gas manufacturing

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE ItemUnitkg CO2e per unitSource
Disposable Tyvek suit (Level C)Each1.2EPA EEIO — Apparel manufacturing
Level B full encapsulating suitEach3.0EPA EEIO — Apparel/specialty manufacturing
Level C PPE full kit (Tyvek + gloves + goggles + boot covers)Kit1.8Composite of individual items
Level B PPE full kit (encapsulating suit + supplied air + gloves)Kit4.2Composite of individual items
Nitrile gloves (pair)Pair0.3EPA EEIO — Rubber and plastics manufacturing
N95 respirator (disposable)Each0.4EPA EEIO — Medical equipment manufacturing
Half-face respirator, P100 cartridges (pair)Pair0.8EPA EEIO — Medical equipment manufacturing
Full-face respirator cartridges (pair)Pair1.2EPA EEIO — Medical equipment manufacturing
Boot covers (pair)Pair0.15EPA EEIO — Rubber and plastics

Containment and Filtration

MaterialUnitkg CO2e per unitSource
6-mil polyethylene sheeting0.55EPA EEIO — Plastics product manufacturing
4-mil polyethylene sheeting0.37EPA EEIO — Plastics product manufacturing
Double-layer 6-mil containment (hazmat/biohazard)1.102× single-layer factor
Zipper door — disposableEach1.8EPA EEIO — Plastics/hardware
Zipper door — reusable (amortized over 20 uses)Use0.091.8 ÷ 20 uses
HEPA filter — air scrubber (standard)Each3.2EPA EEIO — Industrial machinery manufacturing
HEPA vacuum bag (commercial grade)Each0.4EPA EEIO — Paper/plastics manufacturing
Biohazard bag — 33-gallon red (medical waste)Each0.65EPA EEIO — Medical plastics manufacturing
ACM disposal bag — 6-mil labeled (33-gallon)Each0.55EPA EEIO — Plastics product manufacturing
Sharps disposal container (1-gallon)Each0.35EPA EEIO — Plastics/medical equipment
Glove bag (pipe insulation removal)Each0.85EPA EEIO — Plastics product manufacturing

Table 3: Category 5 — Waste Disposal

Waste TypeDisposal MethodtCO2e per tonSource
Standard C&D debris (non-hazardous mixed)Landfill0.16EPA WARM v16
Cat 2 water-contaminated porous materialsStandard landfill0.18EPA WARM + contamination premium
Cat 3 sewage-contaminated materialsRegulated C&D landfill0.22EPA WARM + regulated disposal
Smoke-contaminated C&D debris (standard)Standard landfill0.16EPA WARM v16
Smoke-contaminated C&D (regulated facility)Licensed C&D landfill0.20EPA WARM + transport premium
Mold-contaminated porous materialsStandard landfill (most jurisdictions)0.18EPA WARM + contamination premium
Friable ACM (pipe insulation, spray fireproofing)Licensed hazmat landfill0.42EPA WARM + licensed facility + transport
Non-friable ACM (floor tiles, roofing, joint compound)Licensed C&D with ACM cell0.28EPA WARM + regulated C&D transport
Lead paint debris (TCLP-classified hazardous)Licensed hazmat landfill0.38EPA WARM + hazmat transport
PCB-containing materials ≥50 ppmLicensed PCB incineration1.85EPA hazardous waste incineration factors
PCB-containing materials <50 ppmLicensed landfill0.22EPA WARM + transport premium
Mercury-containing lamps/thermostatsMercury recycler0.15EPA WARM — recycling credit offset
Regulated medical/biohazard waste (standard)Autoclave + licensed landfill0.55EPA medical waste treatment factors
High-pathogen biohazard wasteHigh-temperature incineration0.85EPA hazardous waste incineration factors
Sharps wasteSharps autoclave or incineration0.65EPA medical waste — sharps category
Contaminated water (Cat 3, to wastewater treatment)Municipal wastewater treatment0.000272 per literEPA WARM v16 — wastewater treatment
Disposable PPE — standardStandard landfill0.25EPA WARM — mixed plastics
Disposable PPE — hazmat-contaminatedLicensed hazmat or medical waste landfill0.30–0.55Apply appropriate hazmat or medical waste factor

Table 4: Category 12 — Demolished Building Materials

MaterialtCO2e per ton (landfill)tCO2e per ton (recycled)Source
Gypsum drywall (1/2″)0.160.02EPA WARM v16
Dimensional lumber / wood framing-0.07-0.15EPA WARM v16 — carbon storage credit
OSB sheathing-0.05-0.12EPA WARM v16 — carbon storage credit
Carpet + pad (standard residential/commercial)0.330.05EPA WARM v16
Hardwood flooring-0.12-0.18EPA WARM v16 — carbon storage credit
Vinyl / LVP flooring0.280.08EPA WARM v16 — plastics category
Ceramic / porcelain tile0.040.01EPA WARM v16 — inert material
Fiberglass batt insulation0.330.05EPA WARM v16
Cellulose insulation (spray or loose-fill)0.06-0.02EPA WARM v16
Spray polyurethane foam insulation (SPF)0.72N/AEPA WARM v16 — plastics category
Acoustic ceiling tiles (standard)0.120.03EPA WARM v16 — ceiling tile category
Structural steel (demolished)-0.85-0.95EPA WARM v16 — steel recycling credit
Copper pipe / wiring-0.45-0.60EPA WARM v16 — copper recycling credit
Aluminum (ductwork, framing)-1.20-1.45EPA WARM v16 — aluminum recycling credit (high value)

Weight Estimation Proxies

When disposal receipts are not available, use these weight proxies to estimate demolished material tonnage:

MaterialWeight per sq ft (installed, dry)Notes
1/2″ gypsum drywall2.5 lbsUse dry weight, not post-water-damage wet weight
5/8″ gypsum drywall (Type X)3.1 lbsCommon in commercial construction
Carpet + pad (residential)3.0 lbsIncluding pad and tack strips
Carpet + pad (commercial, glue-down)2.2 lbsHeavier carpet, no pad
LVP / vinyl plank flooring2.8 lbsIncluding underlayment
Ceramic tile (floor, 3/8″)4.5 lbsIncluding thin-set mortar
Acoustic ceiling tiles (2’×2′ standard)1.8 lbsMineral fiber type
Fiberglass batt insulation (3.5″ R-13)0.5 lbsPer sq ft of coverage area
Dimensional lumber 2×4 wall framing (per linear foot of wall)4.0 lbsAssumes 16″ OC framing in 8-ft walls
Non-friable ACM floor tile (9″×9″)4.0 lbsIncluding mastic adhesive

How often will this reference table be updated?

The RCP emission factor reference table will be updated annually following the release of updated EPA WARM, EPA Mobile Combustion, and DEFRA databases. Version numbers are included in the table header — always cite the version used in your per-job carbon report data quality notes.

What if I need an emission factor for a material not in this table?

First check EPA WARM v16 directly (available free at epa.gov/warm). Second, check the EPA EEIO database for the relevant industry sector. Third, check DEFRA’s Conversion Factors for Company Reporting. If none of these sources contain the specific material, use the closest proxy category and document the substitution in your data quality notes.

Are these factors suitable for use in EU CSRD reporting?

EPA and EPA WARM factors are US-specific but are accepted in most international ESG frameworks when accompanied by clear source citation. For EU CSRD reporting specifically, DEFRA factors (UK) or OECD emission factors may be preferred by auditors for non-US operations. The RCP will publish a DEFRA-specific factor table in a future supplement for EU-applicable reporting contexts.

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