In 2025, 3M conducted an environmental assessment and disclosed corporate waste management data in accordance with recognized sustainability reporting standards.The company provided a breakdown of its waste by type (hazardous vs non-hazardous) and treatment method (recovery vs disposal), enabling greater transparency into its waste handling and environmental practices.
| Metric (tonnes) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Waste Generated | 385,000a | 395,000a | 373,000a | |
Total Waste Recovered | 239,000a | 256,000a | 232,000a | |
Total Hazardous Waste Generated | 57,700a | 49,400a | 53,500a | |
Non-Hazardous Waste Disposed | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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In 2025, 3M generated a total of 385,000metric tonnes of waste.a
Of this amount, 62.08% of 3M's total waste generated was recovered through methods such as recycling, reuse, or composting, while 37.66% was disposed of through landfilling, incineration, or combustion.a
In 2025, 3M reported a total waste generation of 385,000 metric tonnes, of which 62.08% was recovered through recycling, reuse, or composting.This moderate level of recovery indicates that 3M is taking steps toward improving its waste diversion practices, though there is still room to enhance recycling and recovery efforts.a
Since 2023, 3M's total waste generation increased by 3.22%, but declined by 2.53% in the year 2025, suggesting a potential shift toward more efficient material use or the early impact of waste reduction strategies.a
Over the same period, 3M's waste recovery rate remained relatively flat, but declined by 4.22% in 2025, potentially pointing to emerging inefficiencies or short-term disruptions in recovery efforts.a
Overall, 3M’s waste generation and recovery data show a mixed and inconsistent trend. A deeper analysis of the company's activities, industry benchmarks, and operational changes is needed to assess its sustainability performance more precisely.
In 2025, 3M generated a total of 385,000 metric tonnes of waste.a
Of this amount, 14.99% of 3M's total waste generated of was classified as hazardous waste, characterized by properties such as toxicity, flammability, corrosiveness, or reactivity that may pose risks to human health, ecosystems, or the environment.46.49% was identified as non-hazardous waste, generally considered less harmful and subject to lighter regulatory controls.The remaining 38.52% was either treated using unspecified methods or not clearly categorized.a
Since 2023, 3M's total waste generation rose by 3.22%, but dropped by 2.53% in 2025, indicating a possible turning point driven by improved waste-reduction practices or production slowdowns.a
Over the same period, the share of hazardous waste in 3M's total output increased by 4.49%, including a further 19.84% rise in 2025, suggesting a troubling upward shift toward more environmentally harmful waste streams that could raise compliance costs and environmental risks.a
Overall, while 3M has recently reduced waste output, its hazardous waste share continues to rise, raising concerns about treatment efficiency or growing reliance on harmful materials despite short-term volume improvements.a