1. “Creating Value through Zero Waste”
Stephanie Barger
Founder & Executive Director, USZWBC
“Creating Value through Zero Waste” 1

2. Overview of USZWBC Facility Certification
AGENDA
Why Zero Waste?
Overview of USZWBC Facility Certification
Facility Certification Process
ZWBA Training
Zero Waste Facility Scorecard and examples
Question & Answer 2

3. 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”
Reduces Litter to Oceans & Watersheds
© copyright 2014, all rights reserved 3

4. 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,
© copyright 2014, all rights reserved

5. The Zero Waste Economy
Designing a Full-Cycle system – Upstream and Downstream
Provide Incentives Before Ban or Mandate
Expand City Outreach & Technical Assistance and Lead by Example
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.

6. 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:

7. 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

8. Zero Waste Businesses are Leading the Way (>90% diversion min requirement)
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 8

9. Follows US Green Building Council model
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)

10. 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
The USZWBC issued its first Zero Waste certifications to three Whole Foods Market stores in San Diego County, California (La Jolla, Hillcrest and Encinitas) in March Its audit of waste diversion processes found that all three stores are successfully reducing, reusing, recycling and composting. Each of the Whole Foods Market stores received a bronze level Zero Waste certificate for better than 90 percent diversion from the landfill, incineration and the environment based on the standards set by ZWIA.

11. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Platinum USZWBC Certification November 2013
1st Facility completed with USZWBC Scorecard
99.8% Diversion
The USZWBC issued its first Zero Waste certifications to three Whole Foods Market stores in San Diego County, California (La Jolla, Hillcrest and Encinitas) in March Its audit of waste diversion processes found that all three stores are successfully reducing, reusing, recycling and composting. Each of the Whole Foods Market stores received a bronze level Zero Waste certificate for better than 90 percent diversion from the landfill, incineration and the environment based on the standards set by ZWIA.

12. 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

13. Facility Certification Process
Details online at
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

14. 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

15. 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 15

16. 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

17. 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

18. Scorecard Certification System
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council 18 18

19. 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 19

20. 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

21. Discard Auditing - Sources
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
There are also gas and liquid emissions not associated with solids.
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council

22. 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 22 22

23. Reduce Credit 2: Have tracking program for material flows
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council

24. 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 24 24

25. 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

26. 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
Yard trimmings are composted, digested or reused (mulch)
Credit 3
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…)
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27. Recycle Credit 1 80% of 12 market categories follow Highest and
Best Use
Credit 1.2
100% of 12 market categories follow Highest
and Best Use
Credit 2
Document markets/uses for recyclables and
use locally as much as possible
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council

28. 12 Market Categories Reuse Paper Plant trimmings Putrescible/food Wood
Ceramics
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 28

29. 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
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30. Diversion from landfill, incineration and the environment
Diversion Level
Credit 1 %
Credit 2
95%-96.9%
Credit 3
97%-98.9%
Credit 4 %
Credit 5
100%
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council 30 30

31. 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”
The ISSUE: How do you measure something that ISN”T generated?
Waste reduction represents the highest and best use of conserving resources, but how do you calculate reduction “reduce” into a diversion calculation?
To help encourage waste reduction as the best option for business, the USZWBC allows the numerical counting of “waste reduction” in diversion calculations, AS LONG AS PROPER TRACKING AND MEASUREMENT IS IDENTIFIED

32. 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.
Credit 6
A guide, policy, or standard practice in place that gives priority to the purchase of used, refurbished, and/or remanufactured goods.
Credit 7.1
If you have any additional environmentally preferred purchasing practice(s) not covered here, please describe it/them.
Credit 7.2
Credit 7.3
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33. 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 33 33

34. Leadership Was & Is Essential Began at highest level
President practices daily to honor his employees
No waste cans today

35. Training 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 35 35

36. Training: Credit 3 - Communicate
4/22/2017 6:35 AM
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.

37. 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

38. 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 38 38

39. Zero Waste Profiling Identify Waste
Recipe for Success 7: Use of 5R Concept
Zero Waste Profiling
Identify Waste
In order to figure out which 5R we apply to each waste we generate, first we needed to identify what, how much and the origin of each waste.
So, the employees first identified and profiled all of the company’s waste.
How did we identify all the waste? Well. each facility used their own creative way to do this process.
 At our machine parts facility, a team of employees photographed waste types and showed their origins on a map. They displayed the map to increase employees’ awareness of the type and volume of waste we generate and figure out what can they do about these waste.
 At the toner cartridge recycling facility in Mexico, a team took apart toner cartridges and displayed the parts to be reused in new cartridges.
 At our copier manufacturing facility, employees posted samples of different waste types generated at each assembly station.
 And at the toner manufacturing facilities, we ran a Waste Identification Contest. First, employees brought all the waste into an open area.
Each waste was then recorded with the origin, volume and they were categorized by types.
Then employees figured out which “R “could be applied. As which 5 R was determined, the waste were posted on the green color paper, if the waste was under investigation as to which “R”, they were placed on the yellow color paper.
the waste with no recycling option was posted on the red color paper. This waste profiling process was displayed on the wall so that everyone could help find a solution.

40. 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 40 40

41. Ricoh’s “Recipe for Success”
= Total Participation
Objectives
Leadership
Benchmarking
Organization
Project plan
Training & Promotion
Use of 5R Concept
Verification
Continuous Improvement

42. 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.
Credit 5
Collections available for employees and/or customers (Community) to bring universal wastes to work for reuse and recycling
© 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council 42 42

43. Closed Loop
Credit 1
A policy, guideline or standard practice is in place to require a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content for office/copy paper.
Credit 2
A policy, guideline or standard practice is in place to require a minimum of 20% post-consumer 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 43 43

44. 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 44 44

45. Stephanie Barger, Founder & Executive Director
P.O. Box 364
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625