Rating System and Certifications Zero Waste Facility Rating System and Certifications 1

In This Lesson By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: (Knowledge) Identify all 15 categories of the Facility Scorecard (Knowledge) Understand the importance of tracking and measurement (Comprehension) Contrast the USZWBC facility certification from other third-party certifications (Application) Use tools and metrics to identify cost reduction opportunities in implementing a zero waste initiative.

Why Zero Waste Certification? Maintain the value of “Zero Waste” Provide a “Green” credential – need to maintain support of environmental leaders Credible point of differentiation Best Practices Meet the Highest Bar for Zero Waste Champion Highest and Best Use of Resources

Why Zero Waste Certification? Business wants protection against claims of fraud Need to comply with Federal Trade Commission Green Marketing Guidelines Protect Brand from Inappropriate use Zero Waste advocates are starting to counter false claims in media

SWANA Compromise Members that support Zero Waste and members that support Waste-to-Energy The organization wants to support all members Agreement not to call Waste-to-Energy Zero Waste

Who Certifies Zero Waste? ZWIA GRRN USZWBC ULE NSF-ISR GreenCircle Certified Working on it: ANSI and ASTM

UL Environment “Zero Waste to Landfill” Environmental Claims Validation Procedure 2799 Adopted May 2012, revised August 2012

NSF-International Strategic Registrations (ISR) “Landfill-Free” Verification Adopted in March 2012

Green Circle Certified Third-party certification of environmental and sustainability claims on products and operations including: Product Certifications Closed Loop Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Renewable Resource Content Recyclable Material Recycled Content Buildings and Operations Certifications Carbon Footprint Reduction Renewable Energy Use Sustainable Manufacturing Practices Waste Diversion from Landfill

Different approaches USZWBC ULE NSF GCC Follows ZWIA – no more than 10% residual (Landfill, Incineration or Environment) Commit to continuously reduce Caps at 10% but business can justify more Does not claim ash from burning as waste Unlimited recycle allowed in WTE No guidelines, can burn 100% but be Zero Waste to Landfill Unlimited for non-recyclable or not economically recoverable materials Does check all resources for recycle Does not include Ash from WTE Gary Liss, Commentary: Get Zero Waste Certified, BioCycle, July 2013, http://www.biocycle.net/2013/08/01/commentary-get-zero-waste-certified/

ANSI American National Standards Institute (ANSI) – Drafting Zero Waste Standard Landfill Free Landfill & Incinerator Free Net Zero Waste American Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM) Committee E60 on Sustainability researching issues 11

U.S. Zero Waste Business Council Non-profit Founded 2012 Zero Waste Facility Certification Zero Waste Business Associates – personal certification

History and purpose of the USZWBC Business professionals created the Facility scorecard categories and criteria Follows the USGBC LEED program (credible) On-site validation and review and full disclosure of facility documentation Touring of American Licorice in CA

USZWBC Zero Waste Facility Scorecard Categories & Points Discuss background 14 14

Category Breakdown of Scorecard Upstream Redesign Reduce ZW Purchasing Leadership Training Zw Analysis Upstream Management Closed Loop Systems Downstream Reuse Compost Recycle Reporting Diversion ZW Reporting

Tracking

Look at whole picture Benefits Cost Weights Include all non hazardous weights for Certified haulers Recycle & Reuse Cost Know your expenses Know your revenue Know who is managing the money Benefits Know where you material is going Documented weights & cost Knowledge of Environmental Benefits If you can’t measure it, then you can’t manage it or improve it

Using the scorecard as a guide, identify which categories will Save the most money Reduce the most disposal Reduce toxics disposal