Stephanie Barger
Founder & Executive Director, USZWBC
“Creating Value through Zero Waste”
AGENDA
• Why Zero Waste?
• Overview of USZWBC Facility
Certification
• Facility Certification Process
• ZWBA Training
• Zero Waste Facility Scorecard and
examples
• Question & Answer
Zero Waste Drivers/Benefits to Businesses
 Saves money
 Reduces liability
 Increases efficiency
 Reduces GHG emissions
 Marketing edge
 Clean energy/Saves
energy
 “Right thing to do”
© copyright 2014, all rights reserved
Reduces Litter to Oceans & Watersheds
Zero Waste Definition: Zero Waste starts at 90%
Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and
visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and
practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all
discarded materials are designed to become resources for
others to use.
Zero Waste means designing and managing products and
processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume
and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all
resources, and not burn or bury them.
Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to
land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal
or plant health.
Source: Zero Waste International Alliance, www.zwia.org/standards.html
© copyright 2014, all rights reserved
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The Zero Waste Economy
Designing a Full-Cycle system – Upstream and Downstream
Expand City Outreach &
Technical Assistance
and Lead by Example
Provide Incentives Before Ban or Mandate
Eliminate Waste by
Designing Out of
Products and
Processes
Jobs from
Design &
Discards
Foster
Sustainable and
Green
Businesses
Resource Recovery Park
Retailers Take Back
Difficult to Recycle
Materials
Producer Responsibility
Empowered Consumer
© Copyright Eco-Cycle, 2004 with text modifications by permission.
www.ecocycle.org/zerowaste/zwsystem
Green Businesses and Jobs
 Expand, attract, and support green businesses
and green collar jobs
 Reserve sufficient land for Zero Waste
infrastructure: Resource Recovery Parks
 Buy green goods and services
 Recycling Industry =Size of Auto Industry
10,000 tons of SW =
Landfill - 1 job
Composting – 4 jobs
Recycling – 10 jobs
Reuse – 75 –250 jobs
Source: www.ilsr.org
Zero Waste is Missing Link in Green
Certification
BE AN OFFICIAL USZWBC CERTIFIED ZERO WASTE FACILITY!
Receive recognition and a plaque for your facility!
© copyright 2014, all rights reserved
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Zero Waste Businesses are Leading the Way
(>90% diversion min requirement)
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American Licorice *
Ann, Inc. *
Atlanta Zero Waste Zone
Del Mar Fairgrounds
Disney – Circle D Stables*
Earth Friendly Products*
Fetzer Vineyards*
General Motors (110+ plants)
Hewlett-Packard, Roseville, CA
Honda
New Belgium Brewery*
Playa Vista, LA, CA
Raytheon
 Ricoh Electronics
 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co*
 Strauss Family Farms
 Toyota
 Vandenberg Air Base
 Whole Foods Market*
 Xerox Corp
 900 Businesses in Japan
More examples at www.uszwbc.org
 To create a solid foundation that advances the
integrity and credibility of Zero Waste
 Follows US Green Building Council model
 Zero Waste Certified Facilities (follows ZWIA)
 Zero Waste Professional Accreditations
 Zero Waste Business Associate (ZWBA)
 Zero Waste Business Accredited Professional (ZWB-AP)
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Whole Foods Market
 Bronze USZWBC Certification
March 2013
 Company mission for 90% of
stores to reach 90% by 2017
 93% Diversion – La Jolla Store
 Now over 20 stores certified in
SoCal
Kelly Fulton, La Jolla WFM
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Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
 Platinum USZWBC
Certification November 2013
 1st Facility completed with
USZWBC Scorecard
 99.8% Diversion
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USZWBC Facility Certification
 Facilities divert more than 90% from landfill, incineration
and environment for non-hazardous solid waste
 Data provided to USZWBC is published formally and
documents a base year and measurements since
 Recertification every three years
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Facility Certification Process
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Details online at http://uszwbc.org/certification/facilities
Complete and send an Application for Quote
Pay Certification fee and receive Facility Scorecard
Discuss Facility Scorecard with USZWBC staff on how to fill it
out and answer any questions you may have.
 Complete and submit the Facility Scorecard with supporting
documentation.
 USZWBC staff review data and make plans for on-site audit
We are here to help with your journey to Zero Waste!
© copyright 2014, all rights reserved
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Facility Certification Process
 Validator tour your site, reviews that your solid waste data
matches receipts, and conducts interviews with employees
from all aspects of your organization
 Validator reviews notes and documents and requests
clarifications and outstanding items
 Receive determination letter of your certification level and a
final Facility Scorecard
 Work with USZWBC to publicize your certification
We are here to help with your journey to Zero Waste!
© copyright 2014, all rights reserved
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Requirements
 Zero Waste policy in place
 90% diversion from landfill, incineration and environment
 Data to USZWBC published formally
 Data documents a base year and progress since base year
 Will submit 12 months of data
 Provide case study for USZWBC & ZWIA websites
 Recertify every three years
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Zero Waste Business Associates (ZWBA)
 For Consultants to help businesses get to Zero
Waste and get certified by USZWBC
 For Business leaders to get to Zero Waste and get
certified by USZWBC
 Process: ZWBA training; review Handouts,
Handbook and Manual; Pass test; get Certificate
from USZWBC; Recertify to maintain
Zero Waste Business Associate (ZWBA) Certification
 Trains professionals to implement Zero Waste
 Trains professionals to help facilities get certified Zero
Waste by USZWBC
 Gives practical understanding of the most current Zero
Waste business principles and practices
 Aids in professional growth
 Validates a commitment to true Zero Waste
*ZWBAs do not conduct certification audits or trainings on behalf of
USZWBC
© copyright 2014, all rights reserved
Scorecard Certification System
Facility Totals (Pre Certification Estimates)
Bronze: 31-37 points Silver:38-45 points Gold: 46-63 points
Platinum 64-80 points
Overview of Categories & Points
Redesign
4
Reduce
7
Reuse
7
Compost (Re-earth)
7
Recycle
3
ZW Reporting
4
Diversion (Min 90%)
5
ZW Purchasing
9
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
Leadership
Training
ZW Analysis
Upstream Management
Hazardous Waste Prevention
Closed Loop System
Innovation
Total Points
Points
80
6
7
5
4
5
4
3
80
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Redesign
Credit 1 Right sizing of collection containers and frequency of pickup and reallocation of
garbage containers to containers or storage areas for reusables, recyclables, or
compostables.
Credit 2 Restructuring of solid waste collection agreements to provide incentives for reducing
wasting and more reuse, recycling and composting services.
Credit 3 Reviewed all 9 points of generation (Warehousing & Distribution, Offices, Food
Services, Grounds, Construction, Manufacturing, Vehicular Maintenance, Retail,
Housing & Hospitality*) that exist in company to determine opportunities to design
out or eliminate wasting and pursue highest and best use of materials (see ZWIA Zero
Waste Hierarchy of Highest & Best Uses)
Credit 4 Reviewed purchasing records and supply chain agreements to determine
opportunities to design out or eliminate wasting and pursue highest and best use of
materials. Refuse materials from vendors that will be wasted at company, and if
vendors supply wasteful materials, require vendors to take those back (return to
vendor).
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Redesign Credit 2: Contract incentives
• Review agreements with all solid waste and recycling
collection vendors
– Separate vendors may do reuse & recycling
• Incentives for both parties to reduce wasting
• As business reduces waste hauled, costs of hauling
decreased
• If waste hauler also hauls recyclables, hauler may be
paid to sort recyclables, or share profits from
materials sales & reduced disposal costs.
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Redesign Credit 3: Nine generation points
Discard Auditing - Sources
Up to Nine Typical Solids Generating Sources
1. Warehousing & Distribution –– Paper,
cardboard & plastic packaging, metals, and
wood pallets
2. Offices –– Primarily wastepaper of all
types, packaging & electronic devices
3. Food Services –– Food discards,
packaging, plastics, paper, metals, and
bottles & cans
4. Grounds –– Grass clippings, debris,
wood, trimmings, branches, and soil
5. Construction – Inert materials, paving,
concrete, and building products
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
There are also gas and
liquid emissions not
associated with solids.
Reduce
Credit 1 Documented Materials Reduced (establish the baseline) by commodity
Credit 2 Tracking material flow programs are in place to eliminate waste before it occurs (e.g.
Kaizen, LeanPath for food waste reduction in restaurants, TrendTrax)
Credit 3 Goals are in place to reduce the overall size/amount of product packaging (i.e. Sierra
Nevada reduced case boxes 11% by eliminating the internal divider and shrinking the
box size.)
Credit 4 Implemented paperless-office programs for at least one major office function (e.g.,
billing, scheduling, payroll, etc.) for any/ all feasible operations
Credit 5 Duplex printing is a default setting on all company printers that have the capability.
Credit 6 Grass-cycling is standard practice for all mowed surfaces
Credit 7 Yard trimming waste are reduced through native landscaping, xeriscaping and
grasscycling.
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Reduce Credit 2: Have tracking program for
material flows
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
Reuse
Credit 1 Development of systems that emphasis reuse (e.g. Toyota shipping containers)
Credit 2 A system is in place to document reused pallets and shipping containers (incoming or
outgoing) including the ability to track reuse numbers for documentation - 1 point for
each: pallets, incoming shipping containers and outgoing shipping containers
Credit 3 Implement reusable transportation options through an assessment tool
Credit 4 Implemented formal or informal program for reusing office supplies or other
materials no longer useable by the business
Credit 5 Reusable/durable alternatives to disposable service ware are provided in employee
break rooms and common areas
Credit 6 Donate food for all food safe for human consumption
Credit 7 Participation in feed program for food that is un-edible for people but still has
nutritional benefits for animals - food going for animal feed needs to be documented
according to the food hierarchy as unfit for human consumption
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Reuse Credit 2: Document Reused Pallets and
Shipping Containers
EXAMPLE: Earth Friendly Products
• Product packaging arrives from vendors
in cardboard boxes that are recycled.
• New boxes and inserts were then
purchased to repack outgoing product
shipments.
• Staff identified that boxes used for
outbound shipments are similar in size to
those coming from vendors
• Now they reuse boxes for outbound
shipments using hand made stabilizing
insert from old OCC boxes
Compost (Re-earth)
Credit 1
Compostables collected separately from trash and recyclables and the food waste
hierarchy is followed (edible food is given to humans, then animals, then composted
or digested)
Credit 2
Credit 3
Yard trimmings are composted, digested or reused (mulch)
Onsite food scraps and soiled paper composting
Credit 4
Offsite food scraps and soiled paper composting
Credit 5
Utilize/reuse compost or mulch onsite
Credit 6
Implemented other process technologies: digestion
Credit 7
Close the Loop by growing food onsite for company use (i.e. cafeteria, restaurant,
employees, etc…)
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Recycle
Credit 1 80% of 12 market categories follow Highest
and
Best Use
Credit 100% of 12 market categories follow Highest
1.2
and Best Use
Credit 2 Document markets/uses for recyclables and
use locally as much as possible
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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12 Market Categories
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Reuse
Paper
Plant trimmings
Putrescible/food
Wood
Ceramics
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Soils
Metals
Glass
Polymers
Textiles
Chemicals
ID most volume, most value and most toxic
materials to get to Zero Waste
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
Zero Waste Reporting
Credit 1
Reporting that documents by commodity and waste fields that shows 90% diversion
or better
Credit 2
Tracking of landfill disposal costs, avoided costs from diversion efforts, and revenue
from recycling commodities sales. Data should be available for baseline year as well
as all further reporting years.
Credit 3
Incorporate Climate Change Report using the US EPA WARM Model
Credit 4
Member of USEPA Waste Wise Program and provide data annually to their web site
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Diversion from landfill, incineration and the environment
Diversion Level
Credit 1
90.1-94.9%
Credit 2
95%-96.9%
Credit 3
97%-98.9%
Credit 4
98-99.9%
Credit 5
100%
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Diversion Vs
ZW Diversion
How do you measure something that ISN’T
generated?
• Diversion is calculated using
“total
generation”
• For USZWBC certification:
– Companies must track
• actual diversion AND
• “Zero Waste Diversion”
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Zero Waste Purchasing
Credit 1
An Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP) guideline or policy is in place.
Credit 2
The EPP policy or guideline states that durable goods are preferable over disposable items (for
example, break room utensils, shipping materials, etc.)
Credit 3
A policy or guideline is in place to prefer paper and wood products that are certified as
sustainably produced (FCS, SFI, PEFC, organic, etc.), where applicable.
Credit 4
Systems are in place to identify environmentally preferred items in purchasing catalogs so that
purchasing agents can easily locate and source them.
Credit 5
Systems are in place to track the purchasing of environmentally preferred items from
purchasing catalogs.
A guide, policy, or standard practice in place that gives priority to the purchase of used,
refurbished, and/or remanufactured goods.
Credit 6
Credit 7.1
If you have any additional environmentally preferred purchasing practice(s) not covered here,
please describe it/them.
Credit 7.2
If you have any additional environmentally preferred purchasing practice(s) not covered here,
please describe it/them.
Credit 7.3
If you have any additional environmentally preferred purchasing practice(s) not covered here,
please describe it/them.
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Leadership
Credit 1
A company and/or facility Zero Waste goal has been adopted by upper management
and disseminated to all employees
Credit 2
Upper management reviews monthly diversion activities with priority on recognizing
cost savings and revenue generation from Zero Waste activities
Credit 3
A program is in place to encourage Zero Waste recommendations and award those
who make outstanding contributions to waste reduction activities
Credit 4
People leading the way care and do these things:
Take physical and/or financial responsibility for all products and packaging's
produced and/or marketed under all company brands
Credit 5
People leading the way care and do these things:
Require Suppliers to take financial and/or physical responsibility for all the products
and packaging received at business seeking certification
Credit 6
Upper management representative(s) works beyond their internal operational
boundaries to encourage and promote Zero Waste action that includes but is not
limited to: beach/stream clean ups, community involvement etc.
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Leadership
 Was & Is Essential
 Began at highest level
 President practices daily to
honor his employees
 No waste cans today
Training
Credit 1 Established mission statement/policy about Zero Waste provided to all employees in
some form (employee handbook, addendum to handbook, posted on a policy bulletin
board, posted on website, etc.)
Credit 2 Incorporate Zero Waste into Orientation.
Credit 3 Minimum Quarterly communication with associates about Zero Waste activities
(electronic, verbal, or visual communication such as newsletter articles, tips of the
month, bulletin board postings, workshops, etc.)
Credit 4 Receptacles for collected recyclables, compostables, and landfill material are clearly
labeled and identified (written labels, photos, etc.) and employees, contractors,
vendors, consultants or anyone else working onsite are trained on what is acceptable
in those receptacles (posters, verbal notification, training sessions, etc.)
Credit 5 Training programs have been developed to enable/incentivize purchasing agents to
identify and prefer purchasing of environmentally preferred products
Credit 6 Employees contributions to Zero Waste activities are included as part of employee
evaluations process and/or bonus structure
Credit 7 Dedicated roles for Zero Waste leadership (green team leader, recycling champion,
recycling manager, etc.) is included in at least one job description. Job Description to
also include training as one of this person's responsibilities
Credit 8 Internal website (i.e. a portal) incorporates Zero Waste training for employees
Training
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Training: Credit 3 - Communicate
Company diversion KPIs are posted
monthly for all employees to see should
they choose to view them. They are
also discussed in monthly management
KPI meetings. The sustainability dept.
maintains two bulletin boards that
allow for communication on
sustainability information - zero waste
included- and participates monthly in
the company newsletter to provide tips,
areas for improvement within the
brewery, reminders about reusable
coffee mugs/water bottles, etc.
Training Credit 4: Clearly Label Receptacles
Example
 Labeling on bins and at
eye level
 Utilize various colors to
denote different
materials
 Waste = Black or Gray
 Recyclables = Blue
 Organics = Green
Stop waste.org stickers
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
Zero Waste Analysis
Credit 1
Annual waste analysis is completed by onsite personal or third party during the
reporting period. A physical sort and weight of materials is required on all collection
containers.
Credit 2
Completed recommendation from analysis to include areas of opportunity, sizes of
sample, and breakdown of commodities
Credit 3
Complete an annual audit of the recyclables to determine contamination levels and a
composition by 12 Market Categories
Credit 4
Rejected Recyclables are added back into waste stream documentation
Credit 5
Associates are engaged in waste analysis - associates do not necessarily need to be at
waste audits, but must be included in analysis review and action plan development
to further reduce waste.
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Recipe for Success 7: Use of 5R Concept
Zero Waste Profiling
Identify Waste
Upstream Management
Credit 1 Work with suppliers and vendors to eliminate non-recyclable packaging that they send
to you- i.e. request items are not individually wrapped or palletizing products with the
same banding to increase recovery rates
Credit 2 Requests Zero Waste information from vendors providing goods/services to the
business – does the vendor have a Zero Waste policy, what are their Zero Waste goals,
how are they working to achieve their goals - and preference is given to those vendors
Credit 3 Policy in place to implement use 100% recyclable packaging
Credit 4 Work with vendors and suppliers to redesign products/materials that you are
purchasing to increase their reusability or recyclability
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Ricoh’s “Recipe for Success”
•Objectives
•Leadership
•Benchmarking
•Organization
•Project plan
•Training & Promotion
•Use of 5R Concept
•Verification
•Continuous
Improvement
= Total Participation
Hazardous Waste
Credit 1
All hazardous materials are properly labeled and stored and employees are
trained to know which materials are hazardous and where to put them for
proper disposal and materials are reused or recycled.
Credit 2
Hazardous Waste manifests and records saved for at least 3 years and
documented per state and local regulations.
Credit 3
Internal collections for universal wastes (light tubes/bulbs, paint waste, solvents,
motor oil, batteries, e-waste) and materials are reused or recycled
Credit 4
Policy in place to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals/materials in favor of
non-toxic alternatives.
Collections available for employees and/or customers (Community) to bring
universal wastes to work for reuse and recycling
Credit 5
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Closed Loop
Credit 1
A policy, guideline or standard practice is in place to require a minimum of 30% postconsumer recycled content for office/copy paper.
Credit 2
A policy, guideline or standard practice is in place to require a minimum of 20% postconsumer recycled content for basic janitorial paper products (toilet paper, paper
towels, seat covers).
Credit 3
If purchasing compost, purchase from facility that composts your material, or if not
composting any of your waste, purchase compost from a local source.
Credit 4
Implemented process that as much materials remains in local markets as possible.
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Innovation
Credit 1
Participation in upcycling programs for non-traditional recyclable materials (e.g.
Terra-Cycle, ReCork, etc.)
Credit 2
Commit in writing to continuous improvement to reduce the remaining residue
that goes to landfills or incinerators by at least 1% of baseline disposal each year
and/or to address other Zero Waste Business Principles over time.
Credit 3
Add any additional innovation that should be given a point that was not
addressed above.
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
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Stephanie Barger, Founder & Executive Director
P.O. Box 364
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
949-872-1775
www.uszwbc.org