Zero Waste Certification

At its core, Zero Waste-To-Landfill (ZWTL) is exactly what it sounds like: diverting all waste from landfill disposal. Businesses and communities are getting there by moving up the waste hierarchy, which consists of the 4 R’s:
• Reducing materials consumption and waste
• Reusing materials
• Recycling, composting, and using anaerobic digestion
• And then, for whatever is left over, Recovering energy
In this framework EUROCERT (European Inspection & Certification Company) has drafted the Zero Waste-To-Landfill Standard (ZWTL-EU1), which is the basis for the ZWTL Verification Scheme.

The ZWTL-EU1 Standard has numerous requirements revolving around the following basic equation :

Dr = (Mrecycle + Mcomposting + Manaerobic + Mreuse + Mreduce + Mtwer) / Mdiscarded

The goal of each organization should be a Diversion Rate (Dr) of 100% meaning, the mass of waste ending up landfills should tend to 0.

What if I cannot achieve a Diversion Rate (Dr) of 100%

Zero waste is an admirable goal, but it is currently not attainable by all, that is why ZWTL-EU1 Standard allows for the following different classification of results, based on the Diversion Rate obtained :

Zero Waste to Landfill Silver 80% – 94% (Close to Achieving)
Zero Waste to Landfill Gold 95% – 99% (Virtually Zero)
Zero Waste to Landfill Platinum 100 % (Zero)

After a successful audit performed by EUROCERT, following the procedures of the ZWTL Verification Scheme and based on ZWTL-EU1 Standard, your organization will be awarded a Verification Certificate with one of the above remarks.

Minimizing waste volume by implementing efficient operations
Reducing costs by developing recycle and recovery programs
Increased business opportunities from environmentally aware customers
Improved Corporate Social Responsibility
Claim of compliance to a ZWTL Standard verified by a worldwide recognized certification body

Application Process – You will be asked to fill out an Application in order to provide information about your waste streams and processes. Then you will receive a quotation from EUROCERT and upon acceptance of the offer you will receive your copy of ZWTL-EU1 Standard, in order to start its application and collection of data.

Site Visit/Waste Audit – Upon agreement of a date our auditors will visit your facilities in order to verify how your waste is managed in practice.

Document Audit – Our audit team will review the documentation supporting the claim that your materials are being diverted. Documents may include but are not limited to, invoices loading tickets, draft surveys and process flow charts of your organization and subcontractors you may use for waste management processes.

Certification mark– After successful verification you will be allowed to use the ZWTL Certification Mark, according to its Rules of Use.

Please read the attachments for more information

ZWTL en

Initial verification covers a 12-month period, meaning the data audited should cover a yearly operation. However, the verification contract is a 3-year commitment, thus an audit will be conducted every 12 months and new Certificates will be issued yearly.

Any business or facility can achieve Zero Waste-To-Landfill and apply for verification, although the amount of effort and steps needed can vary significantly based on complexity of production, waste diversion methods and number of waste streams.