Zero Waste Facility Certification

Q: What is the purpose of Zero Waste?

A: Zero Waste is a corporate/business/lifestyle philosophy which seeks to reduce the amount of waste generated by businesses, governments, and individuals through reuse of existing materials, proper stewardship of materials designated as wastes, and by preventing materials from entering the waste stream in the first place.

Q: How does Zero Waste certification benefit my company?

A: SCS Zero Waste certification provides 3rd party assurance of waste diversion achieved at a facility over a 12-month period. This certified diversion rat can be used to communicate a company’s journey towards eliminating landfill-bound waste generation at its facilities. The annual assessment captures the amount of waste diverted from landfill as a percentage of total waste generated.

Q: How is the SCS Zero Waste certification program different from others, such as GBCI TRUE certification or NSF Landfill Free certification?

A: There are several key factors that distinguish the SCS Zero Waste certification program from other waste certification and verification programs:

• Cost savings: We perform on-site audits on a sample basis which lowers the cost of certification for clients with multiple facilities.
• Verification of diversion percentages: While we keep the definition of Zero Waste as 99% diversion, facilities only have to show 50% diversion to participate in the SCS certification. Other standards do not allow for “participation” without achieving at least 90% diversion.
• Hazardous Waste: Our standard accepts diversion of hazardous waste to count towards diversion, on a case by case basis (following analysis)
• Waste to Energy: Our standard allows for the use of waste-to-energy as a diversion method for up to 25% of total diversion without further review. It allows for more than 25% of total diversion on a case-by-case basis following review.
• Residual Rate Allowance: Our standard allows for the default industry/regional residual rates to be applied when calculating diversion rates if data from haulers/third party waste collection service is not available. Other standards require affidavits.

Q: What types of facilities can be certified?

A: Any facility qualifies for certification as long as the waste management activities are all under the purview of the company applying for certification. However, facilities that share waste management with other companies must track their waste prior to comingling to be able to participate in the standard.

Q: Do my facilities have to be 99% waste free in order to be certified Zero Waste by SCS?

A: No. In fact, companies need to show that participating facilities have achieved a minimum of 50% waste diversion over a 12-month period to be considered for certification. Actual diversion per facility will be stated on the certificate each year. This enables corporations to tell the story of their zero-waste journey, year over year.

Q: Do all of my facilities have to have an in-person audit every year to be certified Zero Waste?

A: No. The SCS Zero Waste Standard allows for multi-site certification where individual sites are visited on a sample basis each year while data and management documents are reviewed for all sites that are included in the scope of certification.

Q: What does a Zero Waste certificate include?

A: The SCS Zero Waste certificate includes a transparent overview of the company’s zero waste achievements, including the following required information:

• The percent of waste diversion the company has achieved for that year. Percentage is calculated using the following formula: (diverted waste - residuals) + prevented waste) / (total waste + prevented waste)
• Each method of diversion used (e.g., recycling, composting, waste-to-energy) as well as the percentage diverted using each method
• The progress the company has made in waste diversion expressed as points; for example, if a company achieved 55% diversion last year and 60% diversion in the audited year; the certificate would show ‘+5’
• Whether Operator currently stores any waste (not the percentage or the total weight of stored material)
• Period of certification (12-month period being verified)

Q: We have multiple facilities. Is it possible to only certify a few at a time, or do we have to certify all facilities to qualify for SCS Zero Waste certification?

A: We can certify any number of facilities; only the facilities that undergo evaluation will be considered in scope for the SCS Zero Waste Certification. Every facility is certified to the diversion rate achieved at that facility.

Q: What are diversion amounts and how are they calculated?

A: A company’s diversion amount is the amount of materials (defined as wastes) disposed of in an environmentally beneficial manner using the following methods: recycling, composting, re-use, reclaiming, prevention, waste-to-energy (instead of sending it to the landfill). The diversion percentage is calculated using the following formula: (diverted waste – residuals + prevented waste) / (total waste + prevented waste).

Q: What is “waste prevented by re-design”?

A: Waste that is no longer generated due to a new production or procurement process. For example, a company switches from single use molds to reusable molds, or from carboard packaging from suppliers to reusable containers. SCS recognizes reductions from redesign towards a company’s total diversion percentage for a 12-month period.

Q: I don’t understand all of types of waste and measurements that are part of the Zero Waste standard and a zero waste audit. Do you have a list of Zero Waste definitions?

A: Yes, below is a list of the most common types of waste and measurements that are being assessed as part of a Zero Waste audit and certification:

• Ash: Includes ‘fly ash’ which is the airborne ash collected after incineration and ‘incinerator bottom ash’ which is the heavy ash found in the bottom of an incinerator post burning.
• Average Residual Percentages: Industry averages of residuals calculated in formal studies. For example, in the state of California, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) conducted a study which showed that the residuals percentages for the year 2005 are: Single-Stream Materials Recovery Facility (MRF): 14%, Multi-Stream: 6%, Mixed Waste: 81%, Construction and Demolition (C&D) 23%. These can be applied to an Operator’s outgoing materials if an affidavit with a specific percentage cannot be provided by the recycling facility.
• Composted Material: Materials organic in nature which are sent to a compost facility where they are allowed to decay to form relatively homogeneous and stable humus-like substance [ISO 14021].
• Construction and Demolition Debris: Materials resulting from the construction and demolition (C&D) of buildings and other structures, including materials such as metals, wood, gypsum, asphalt shingles, roofing, concrete, rocks, rubble, soil, paper, plastics and glass, but excluding putrescible wastes (SWANA Technical Policies, Attachment B).
• Diverted Waste: Internally processed waste and/or non-landfill-bound waste sent for external processing.
• E-Waste: Consumer and business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful life (such as computers, televisions, and cell phones)
• Hazardous Waste: A waste listed by EPA; or a waste that is characterized by being ignitable, reactive, corrosive, or extraction procedure toxic (USDA Agricultural Resource Service).
• Prevented Waste from Redesign: Waste that would have occurred under a former process, but has since been eliminated due to redesign of the product or packaging. Prevented waste from redesign can be calculated by dividing the previous year’s total weight of the (now) prevented waste by the total number of units of product created in the previous year. Then multiplying this result by the number of units generated in the current year. Process will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure claims of prevented waste from redesign are accurate.
• Re-claimed Material: Material that would have otherwise been disposed of as waste or used for energy recovery, but has instead been collected and recovered [reclaimed] as a “NEW” material input, in lieu of new primary material, for a recycling or a manufacturing process [ISO 14021].
• Recycled material: Material sent to a recycling facility to be shredded, pelletized, or chemically altered to be remade into objects or substances for commercial use. Common materials include glass, metal, cardboard, and plastics, but may apply to other materials, as well.
• Re-used Material: Material that would have otherwise been disposed of as waste or used for energy recovery, but has instead been collected at the end of the process to be used again for its initial purpose.
• Residuals: Waste material that remains after processing has taken place. Residuals percentages are specific to the type of recycling facility as well as to the state or city (depending on available data). Operator is responsible for obtaining these percentages in an affidavit from the facilities used for processing. Average Residual Percentages may be used if affidavits from facilities cannot be provided. See Average Residual Percentages above.
• Sold Waste Material: Material defined as waste within the bounds of the Project, which is sold as input into another Manufacturer’s Process towards production of a good. Donated Material would also count under this category.
• Waste-to-Energy (WTE): Energy recovered from material that would have been disposed of as waste but instead has been collected through managed processes [ISO 14021]. This method includes incineration, pyrolysis, and anaerobic digestion where the main purpose and output of the process is to create energy.

Q: What other environmental certifications does SCS offer?

A: Zero Waste certification is just one of many certifications a company can achieve as part of its ongoing sustainability journey. SCS offers more than 100 certification and validation programs for a wide variety of products and processes to help companies as they grow towards being more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Such measures ultimately help companies achieve better ESG ratings from the many corporate ratings companies, which in turn positions the company well from an ESG investment and institutional investor perspective. For a complete listing of all SCS certifications and validations, visit: http://www.scsglobalservices.com/services

• Cost savings: On-site audits are done on a sample basis, which reduces costs for companies with multiple facility locations.
• Participation: Other standards do not allow for certification “participation” without achieving at least 90% waste diversion. The SCS Zero Waste standard allows for facilities that have achieved at least 50% waste diversion to get their waste reduction achievements certified. This allows for more companies/facilities to participate and communicate their commitment to waste reduction.
• Brand Strengthening: Certification provides the opportunity for companies to build upon their ESG brand equity and reputation by showcasing their commitment to reducing, re-using and re-purposing their waste.
• Brand Messaging: Corporate benchmarking facility-by-facility allows companies to communicate their waste reduction goals as the company progresses in reducing its carbon footprint.
• Transparency: SCS certificates show how diversion rates are achieved. This helps you clearly define and communicate your goals and achievements and avoid assertions of green washing.
• Hazardous Waste Allowance: Diversion of hazardous waste from landfill can count towards diversion, on a case by case basis (following analysis).
• Waste to Energy: The Standard allows for the use of waste-to-energy as a diversion method for up to 25% of total diversion, without further review;  it allows for more than 25% of total diversion on a case-by-case basis following review.
• Residual Rates: The standard allows for default industry/regional residual rates to be applied when calculating diversion rates if data from haulers/third party waste collection service is not available. Other standards require hauler affidavits.

The steps to Zero Waste certification include the following:

1. Application Process and Onboarding: Company submits a Zero Waste application to SCS. SCS scopes the company to check that facilities meet the minimum requirements for participation in the standard. If yes, then a work order is sent. Once signed, next steps are discussed, and audit dates are set.
2. Document Review Audit: Auditor reviews management program documents, zero waste plan, waste diversion calculator, internal audit, traceability documents (supporting evidence such as invoices, bills of lading, affidavits), and evidence of trainings.
3. On-Site/ Virtual Verification Audit: Auditor interviews staff implementing zero waste and facility and checks waste management infrastructure. Findings are disclosed to Company.
4. Report Issuance and Corrective Action: Auditor submits report to SCS for technical review. SCS submits final report documents to Company. Company submits action plan and evidence to close any issued non-conformities.
5. Certification: Once non-conformities are closed and technical review is complete, SCS will issue a certificate thereby certifying the diversion percentage achievement of the facility.
6. Annual Verification Audit: A recertification audit is later planned to cover the next 12-month period.