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Cost-saving strategies through TRUE's "Zero waste reporting and analysis" credits

Published on: 
27 May 2021
Author: 
Susie Westrup

Continuing with the cost-savings strategies in TRUE, the next topic of our series is our fifth and sixth credit category in the TRUE Rating System – Zero Waste Reporting and Analysis. You can find the rest of the articles in this cost-saving series on our website under the article section! 

Once again, the goal of TRUE certification is to divert all solid waste from landfills, incineration (WTE) and the environment. There are many economic advantages embedded in the strategies of the TRUE rating system that help businesses cut costs and generate revenue. 

One of the benefits of TRUE certification is the expedited return on investment (ROI). Compared to major investments into sustainability infrastructure, zero waste initiatives have remarkably low pay payback periods. Here are some of the top cost-saving or revenue-generating strategies within the Zero Waste Reporting and Analysis credits of the rating system which illustrate the potential ROI for facilities pursuing TRUE.

Zero Waste Reporting

This category focuses on the proper monitoring and documentation of waste reduction programs to present accurate financial and market value assessments. By understanding how much a facility pays for its waste, it can project future costs, savings and revenue after a waste strategy is implemented.

Credit 2: Track financial data for diversion and waste disposal

Third party programs, such as TRUE or EPA WasteWise, are designed to encourage a commitment to waste reduction and subsequent tracking and reporting of financial savings. This demonstrates significant value to stakeholders and consumers, and opens up opportunities to showcase the financial and environmental benefit of an organization’s waste reduction efforts.

TRUE Platinum certified Fetzger Vineyards has kept extensive records of its waste operations for over 20 years, effectively illustrating its 98% waste diversion rate in 2014 and accurately estimating nearly $700,000 in combined savings and revenues. 

TRUE Platinum certified Fetzger Vineyards in Hopland, California

Zero Waste Analysis

Waste audits allow for companies to obtain a better understanding of their physical waste stream and current waste infrastructure. By doing so, they can identify opportunities for better waste management practices.

Credit 2: Analyze results of the annual waste audit and implement recommendations

TRUE Platinum-certified Earth Island conducts annual physical waste audits across departments, searching through waste streams, organizing and weighing them, then collecting the data for further evaluation. By doing this, it can compare audits over multiple time periods to record progress in waste diversion and recycling habits, and to see which departments require the most training and attention. 

Understanding how your facility produces waste—and how much—is vital to achieving your zero waste goals. In order to implement the tools that TRUE offers, reuse, reduce, and recycle strategies, you must first understand your points of generation and how much is being tracked. 

TRUE offers a roadmap to implementing reuse strategies in the most efficient way possible. Your facility can reduce both operational costs and waste by implementing these credits in pursuit of TRUE certification. For more information, download the rating system and our application to get started.