CSRD: Are we really prepared?

At Dawn Technology, we are convinced that a critical analysis of the new CSRD guidelines is more than just a luxury. While technology and modernization offer plenty of opportunities, the legacy systems at many waste management companies may dictate the limits of what is actually achievable.

New EU regulations are around the corner and will radically change the playing field for the waste management industry. The implementation of the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) makes it clear that regulatory compliance is no longer an optional exercise. These obligations force organizations to critically examine their processes and data management, turning compliance into a permanent fixture of business operations.

We recognize these challenges and view them as a wake-up call for anyone who thinks waste simply "disappears." Professional waste processors know better than anyone that the reality involves a complex chain of processing, registration, and accountability.

You might think: "The technology is already there, it’ll be fine." In practice, things often turn out differently. We see many organizations collecting data without sufficiently integrating it to drive decision-making. Waste management utilizes a complex landscape of systems—such as ERP, transport planning, weighbridges, CRM, customer portals, and yes, Excel sheets—that have been intentionally built up over years. Because information remains scattered across various platforms, a reliable "single source of truth" is often missing. This can make meeting CSRD obligations unnecessarily complex.

In previous projects, we have developed solutions that automatically consolidate data from disparate systems into one central data source. This makes discrepancies visible sooner, reduces dependency on individual systems, and creates a flexible foundation for reporting and analysis. This enables waste processors to capture and process data reliably—which is essential for CSRD compliance. In practice, many waste management companies struggle with fragmented data streams that need to be both audit-proof and immediately usable for reporting.

At the same time, technology itself is no "holy grail." It is about people, processes, and systems working together effectively. For waste processors, this means they must determine now which data is truly relevant for CSRD reporting. Consider, for example, CO₂ emissions per ton of waste, the percentage of recycled packaging, and the number of return flows processed correctly. Without a clear KPI strategy, there is a risk of an overload of spreadsheets and disconnected data streams. The question, therefore, is not whether the data is available, but how it is used to make better operational decisions. How do you ensure that technology like IoT, GIS, and sensor data actually adds value?

This represents a clear opportunity. By automating workflows, cleverly linking systems, and working with a reliable data stream, it becomes easier to comply with regulations while operating more efficiently.

Dawn Technology is engaging with Dutch organizations to discuss these challenges. By collaborating and sharing expertise, we look at how processes can be designed to be both future-proof and compliant.