Latin America

Zero Waste Certification

Certify your facility, event, or project

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Latin America /
Corporate Sustainability /
Zero Waste Certification

Certify your facility, event, or project

Companies looking to lower their environmental impact and carbon footprint are turning to sustainability initiatives such as Zero Waste to significantly improve their environmental stewardship, corporate responsibility profile, and ESG rankings. To help you communicate how you reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose your waste, the SCS Zero Waste program provides a basis for certification for waste diversion and reduction at your individual facilities, projects, and events.

Certification to the SCS Certification Standard for Zero Waste (SCS 110) can be used to communicate your company’s path towards eliminating landfill-bound waste generation at your facilities, during your events, and for discrete projects. The certification captures the amount of waste diverted from landfill as a percentage of total waste generated.

Zero Waste Certification Video

Facilities

A minimum of 50% waste diversion from landfill is required over a twelve-month period. Recertification is annual and updated the waste diversion percentage achieved by the facility. Once the facility achieves 99% waste diversion, the facility is considered a Zero Waste Facility.

Projects

A minimum of 75% waste diversion from landfill is required over the course of the Project. Project boundaries are defined by the Operator. Recertification is not required, as this scope is generally used for non-repeating occurrences, such as a remodeling project. If the Project achieves 99% waste diversion, it is considered a Zero Waste Project.

Events

A minimum of 75% waste diversion from landfill is required for the Event. Event boundaries are defined by the Operator. Recertification is not required, as this scope is generally used for non-repeating events but can be tracked if an ongoing Event is being certified. If the Event achieves 99% waste diversion, it is considered a Zero Waste Event.

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Benefits
Process
Certificates of Waste Diversion
FAQs
Documents

Cost savings: On-site audits are only required if triggered by the risk assessment set in the Standard. This eliminates the cost of auditor travel for the majority of audits.
Participation: Other standards do not allow for certification of “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 diversion achievements certified. This allows for more companies to participate and communicate their commitment to Zero Waste.
Brand Strengthening: Certification provides the opportunity for companies to build upon their ESG brand equity and reputation by showcasing their commitment to diverting waste from landfills.
Brand Messaging: Corporate benchmarking facility-by-facility allows companies to communicate their waste diversion goals as the company progresses in reducing its carbon footprint.
Transparency: SCS certificates show how diversion rates are achieved. This helps companies clearly define and communicate their goals and achievements and avoid assertions of greenwashing.
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:
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 will be sent. Once signed, the next steps are discussed, and audit dates are set.
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.
On-Site/ Virtual Verification Audit
Auditor interviews staff implementing zero waste and facility and checks waste management infrastructure. Findings are disclosed to Company.
Report Issuance and Corrective Action
Auditor submits report to SCS for technical review. Company submits action plan and evidence to close any issued non-conformities. SCS submits draft report documents to Company.
Certification
Once non-conformities are closed and technical review is complete, SCS will issue a certificate and final report thereby certifying the diversion percentage achievement of the facility. SCS can also provide client marketing support.
Annual Verification Audit
For facilities, a recertification audit is later planned to cover the next 12-month period.