by Brianna Crandall — October 10, 2016 — Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the U. S. Zero Waste Business Council (USZWBC) announced during the Greenbuild conference last week that they are formally joining forces to advance zero waste business practices. USZWBC will be integrated into the global GBCI community that drives sustainability across all sectors. GBCI will assume responsibility for the ongoing management and evolution of the Zero Waste Facility Certification and Zero Waste Business Associate programs created by USZWBC, and the zero waste principles will be aligned with GBCI’s offerings.
GBCI is the exclusive provider of third-party certification and professional credentials for the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building rating program as well as other respected sustainability programs including WELL, PEER, SITES, GRESB and Parksmart. As the premier credentialing body for green business, GBCI is uniquely positioned to engage market leaders in accelerating the adoption of zero waste strategies by building upon the work and mission of USZWBC.
Zero Waste Facility Certification is based on the peer-reviewed, internationally accepted definition of zero waste developed by the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA), and has been aligned with credit requirements of LEED for Buildings Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M).
Zero Waste Business Associates help implement best practices and measure progress toward achieving zero waste goals and certification. Businesses, organizations and communities that divert more than 90 percent of waste from landfills, incinerators and the environment are considered to be successful in achieving zero waste.
