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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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,

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. Tracking

17. 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

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