Events

Learn more about TRUE and zero waste

View past trainings and presentations on the USGBC course catalog under the "Programs" filter for TRUE and on YouTube. Sign up for emails to get event announcements.


Certify Circularity New York (C2NY) Earth Day Celebration

  • April 22, 2025 at 11 am ET
  • Virtual

Join TRUE and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) this Earth Day for a dynamic conversation on how TRUE-certified projects are transforming workplace sustainability and driving waste diversion across New York. If your organization is looking to meet its materials management goals and advance the circular economy in the state of New York, this event is for you.

In 2024, TRUE and CSMM partnered to sponsor the inaugural cohort of five New York-based organizations in pursuing TRUE precertification and certification for zero waste. With the success of the inaugural cohort, TRUE and CSMM are excited to launch the next cohort under a new name: Certify Circularity New York (C2NY)!

In this Earth Day celebration, C2NY-sponsored project teams will share their TRUE journey and advice with prospective organizations considering applying to the next cohort -- which could be yours! Hear from experts and organizations across New York, including:

  • Celeste McMickle, USGBC Market Transformation Director with TRUE
  • Kathryn Walker, Executive Director at the Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY ESF
  • Delaney Demro, Project Manager at the Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY ESF
  • Larasati Vitoux, Owner/Founder at Maison Jar
  • Joyel Bennett, SVP of Operations and Services at Goodwill Finger Lakes
  • Anita Schwartz, Head of Sustainability at Re:Dish

Join us in celebrating their accomplishments and looking toward the future of a circular New York.


Trellis Circularity Conference

  • April 29-May 1, 2025
  • Denver, Colorado

Circularity is the premier gathering of professionals advancing solutions for the circular economy. Focused on accelerating systems change, Circularity empowers attendees to rethink how we make, sell, and circulate products in order to build a just, resilient, and regenerative economy. Stop by the USGBC booth to speak with content experts from USGBC and GBCI!

Session: How Does Your Waste Diversion Performance Compare to Peers? Find Out & Level Up
April 30, 1:30-2:30 pm
Is your company truly on the path to zero waste, or just scratching the surface? In this interactive session from TRUE and Republic Services, we explore strategies to boost diversion and advance circularity. You’ll have the opportunity to use the Republic Services Circularity Index to assess your performance and commitment. Learn from the leading zero waste facility certifier and hear from a company that has tackled real-world diversion challenges, sharing insights on overcoming barriers and achieving success. Whether you’re starting your circularity journey or advancing waste initiatives, walk away with actionable steps to drive measurable impact.


TRUE Virtual Office Hours series

  • May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, and September 3, 2025 at 12 PM
  • Virtual

The 2025 TRUE Office Hour Series will run from April to September, the first Wednesday of every month. We will offer a series of six, monthly online forums to connect with TRUE staff. Please join us to help launch your zero waste goals and TRUE certification. We will begin with questions from participants and offer guidance through the many frequently asked questions we receive from project teams, including but not limited to how to get started, evaluating your current performance, creating your zero waste plan, improving waste diversion and reviewing policies for zero waste culture.


WasteExpo

  • May 5-8, 2025
  • Las Vegas, Nevada

Whether you are from a private or public waste management company, an organics or food waste management company, or a manufacturer/supplier from the U.S. or abroad, you can count on WasteExpo to bring the entire industry together under one roof for the premier waste event of the year! Meet waste and recycling professionals, industry experts, and top solution providers from both the US and abroad. Connect with the industry, share best practices, and walk away with meaningful new contacts at North America's largest solid waste, recycling, and organics event.

There are multiple opportunities to engage with TRUE, including the Creating Circular Opportunities in Food Waste Recovery on Monday, May 5 and a TRUE workshop on Thursday, May 8.


Napa Rise: Supply Chain and Waste Prevention

  • May 7, 2025
  • St. Helena, California

This is a changemaking convening to enable the wine industry to leverage its powerful platform and set a standard for sustainability and climate action that galvanizes the global wine community. Join a day full of workshops on reuse and supply chain in the winemaking industry, including a workshop on Reuse Reality & Upcycling: Building Circular Solutions With Revino and the Zero Waste Collective.


USGBC: Building Circularity in Georgia

  • May 8, 2025
  • Atlanta, Georgia

This forum will feature a dedicated session on the TRUE certification, providing practical insights into achieving ambitious waste reduction goals through the framework. Our expert panel will delve into real-world applications of circularity, exploring innovative strategies for materials lifecycle planning, adaptive reuse, and sustainable sourcing. Attendees will also learn about the unique circularity story of 619 Ponce Market, a Jamestown Mass timber project, and understand why this project is a prime example of sustainable construction and material sourcing, making it a valuable site for a potential future tour.


USGBC Advancing Circular Economy in Washington

  • May 13, 2025
  • Seattle, Washington

Washington is at the forefront of adopting circular economy principles across the built environment, from pioneering waste diversion programs to adopting policies aimed at reducing embodied carbon, This forum will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to explore how circular economy practices—such as material reuse, waste reduction, and sustainable resource management—are transforming the state’s buildings and infrastructure. Through case studies and engaging panel discussions, attendees will actively explore how circular economy strategies, policies and community-driven efforts are shaping the future of Washington's built environment.

This forum also includes a deep-dive interactive workshop with USGBC staff specializing in the TRUE rating system. Participants will be given the tools to transform their waste management plan into a commodity resource, zero-waste-based plan to create a circular economy locally and globally. Focus will be on the key components of the TRUE Rating System and on hands-on opportunities to collaborate and apply strategies directly to their own projects.


USGBC Local Government Leadership Summit and USGBC California Conference

  • May 19, 2025
  • Santa Monica, California

This year, USGBC will travel to California, Iowa, Colorado and Massachusetts to host local government summits aimed at expanding our LEED for Cities network and deepening engagement with local governments and practitioners on a range of climate resilience, green building and sustainable development issues. These half-day convenings will provide a platform to share the recently updated LEED for Cities rating system and engage local leaders in our organization’s diverse programs.

Consider attending if you are local government staff, including city and county planners, sustainability and resilience teams, building and facility managers, city/county managers, board and commission members, and elected officials; regional government agency staff; local NGOs that work with cities and counties; consultants that engage with local governments in the region; students and emerging professionals; USGBC members; and all others interested in learning more and contributing to our discussions.


USGBC Local Government Leadership Summit and USGBC California Conference

  • May 21-22, 2025
  • San Francisco, California

As the largest and longest-running gathering of green building advocates in the state, we are expanding our reach to unite green building pros, sustainability advocates, and change-makers from across California under one roof. Expect an electrifying day filled with fresh ideas, game-changing insights, and endless opportunities to connect with industry leaders. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into sustainability or you’re a seasoned expert, this is your chance to learn, share, and make an impact!


Greenbuild 2025

  • November 4-7, 2025
  • Los Angeles, California

Mark your calendar! Join TRUE at the largest green building conference in the world.