Feature image: The TRUE-certified Instalaciones de Sabón—Inditex in Arteixo, A Coruña, Spain. Photo credit: Emilio Montero.
In today’s business environment, circularity is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage. As companies face mounting pressure from regulators, consumers and investors to reduce waste and design sustainably, many are rethinking how their products contribute to a more regenerative economy.
At USGBC, we’ve seen firsthand how product innovation can drive market transformation. Through programs like LEED and TRUE, we help organizations operationalize sustainability and recognize leadership in zero waste and green building. If your company designs products with recycled content, modularity or end-of-life recovery in mind, this is your moment to partner with USGBC and lead the charge in the circular economy.
TRUE certification is a powerful tool for facilities aiming to meet zero waste goals. Achieving TRUE is not just about what happens inside a facility, though; it’s also about the tools and products that support its operations.
Products aligned with circular economy goals can help facilities achieve TRUE certification, contributing to a future with less waste. Here are a few examples from our member partners:
Learning from LEED: A proven model
LEED, the world’s most widely used green building rating system, has shown how product alignment with sustainability standards can scale positive impact. For example,
- Benjamin Moore can help improve indoor air quality with its low-VOC paints that can support LEED v4 credits, such as the Low-Emitting Materials credit.
- Interface, a modular flooring company, has partnered with USGBC for over two decades, offering products with Environmental Product Declarations that support LEED’s material transparency goals.
Circular products in action
Like LEED, TRUE can partner with sustainable solutions and align them with the certification system to help facilities pursue certification. Several examples of circular tools already supporting TRUE-certified facilities include:
- WATS (Waste Administration + Tracking Software) has featured TRUE on its website, highlighting that a digital platform can help facilities track waste diversion and identify opportunities for reduction when organizations are pursuing TRUE certification.
- Mill delivers a food recycling solution that can contribute toward achieving TRUE certification for zero waste. Its technology transforms food waste into clean, dry, shelf-stable grounds—reducing volume by up to 80% and eliminating odor and pest concerns.
- Rego, an AI-powered waste auditing platform, delivers data useful for TRUE certifications without the need to hand-sort waste or dig through hauling and procurement documents. Rego helps project teams scale from bin-level audits to global operations and unique waste streams, incorporating built-in engagement tools to help teams stay on track.
- Re:Dish provides reusable container programs—supplying durable dishware and managing collection, washing and redistribution—so that organizations can replace single-use packaging with a closed-loop, trackable system.
TRUE and LEED v5: A converging opportunity
The latest version of the LEED rating system, LEED v5, includes a new credit for Design for Circularity, which rewards products and systems that minimize waste and maximize reuse. This credit aligns directly with TRUE’s mission and opens the door for dual certification recognition.
For example, Colgate-Palmolive’s New Jersey facility achieved LEED Zero Waste by integrating circular practices across its operations, serving as a model for aligning product and facility strategies.
Becoming a USGBC member connects your organization to a global network of sustainability leaders and opens the door to valuable opportunities. Members can showcase their products in LEED and TRUE projects; receive discounts on certification, education and events; and participate in co-marketing and thought leadership initiatives through our member partner program. Join USGBC as a member and share your innovations to support TRUE certification and promote zero waste for your business.