If the idea of sending nothing to the landfill sounds impossible, it might surprise you to learn that many companies are already doing just that. Across industries, from car manufacturers to coffee roasters, businesses are embracing a bold and visionary goal: becoming zero waste.
But zero waste isn’t just a feel-good term. It’s a powerful business strategy with environmental, economic, and reputational wins. So what does being a zero waste company really mean? And how can businesses — small, medium, or large — actually achieve it?
What Does Zero Waste Actually Mean?
At its core, zero waste is about redesigning systems so that resources are conserved and reused rather than discarded. The goal is simple: nothing goes to landfill, incineration, or the environment. That means products, packaging, and materials are reused, recycled, or composted.
A common benchmark used in industry is 90 percent diversion from landfill and incineration. While 100 percent is the ultimate dream, reaching 90 percent is the widely accepted threshold to claim zero waste status.
What sets real zero waste apart from greenwashing is this: it’s not just about getting rid of trash — it’s about preventing it in the first place. That means rethinking how things are made, used, and discarded.
- Zero Waste to Landfill means nothing goes to landfill, but some waste may still be burned.
- True Zero Waste avoids landfill and incineration.
The best companies work toward circular systems, where the output of one process becomes the input for another — just like nature.
Certifications That Make It Official
To validate a company’s efforts, several respected certifications exist. These standards help businesses stay accountable and demonstrate that they’re walking the talk.
1. TRUE Certification: Offered by Green Business Certification Inc., this program is widely used in North America. To qualify, companies must divert at least 90 percent of non-hazardous waste away from landfill and incineration. It uses a points system and provides four levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
2. ZWIA Certification: The Zero Waste International Alliance sets one of the most rigorous standards. Businesses must divert over 90 percent and commit to improving by at least 1 percent annually. This standard emphasizes continuous improvement toward true zero.
3. UL Landfill Waste Diversion: This standard grades companies as Silver, Gold, or Platinum depending on how much they divert from landfill and incineration. It’s commonly used in manufacturing and logistics.
4. Carbon Trust Zero Waste to Landfill: Popular in the UK and internationally, this certification allows some incineration but aims for long-term reduction through process improvements and better resource management.
How Businesses Can Achieve Zero Waste
Reaching zero waste is a journey built on consistent progress, not on getting everything right from the start. Here’s how companies can move toward the goal step by step:
1. Start With a Waste Audit: You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Conduct a thorough audit to see what waste is being generated, where it comes from, and how it’s currently being handled. Sort it by type — plastics, metals, food waste, paper, packaging, electronics — and track volumes.
2. Set Measurable Goals: Once you know what you’re dealing with, set ambitious but realistic goals. That might be 90 percent diversion in three years or halving your waste output in 18 months. Build a plan around those targets.
3. Redesign Processes and Products:The best way to deal with waste? Don’t produce it in the first place. Redesign packaging to be reusable. Create modular products that are easy to repair or recycle. Choose materials with existing recycling streams.
4. Engage Employees at Every Level: Zero waste is a team sport. Train staff on proper sorting, reuse practices, and reduction goals. Empower them to suggest improvements. Appoint zero waste champions in different departments.
5. Strengthen Recycling and Composting: Improve waste separation by setting up labeled bins and signage. Partner with trustworthy recyclers and organics processors. Use services that accept hard-to-recycle items.
Final Thoughts
Being a zero waste company means more than just recycling. It’s about rethinking everything, from the design of your products to how your employees make coffee in the break room. It’s not easy but it’s absolutely doable.
Whether you’re a boutique retailer, a logistics warehouse, a startup, or a multinational, your business can move toward a future where waste becomes a thing of the past. And when you do, you’re not just making a statement — you’re making a difference.
