TRUE Certification: Transforming Waste into Value

TRUE certification (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) isn’t just another badge for your wall – it’s your pathway to turning waste streams into assets while creating lasting cultural change. As sustainability shifts to a business imperative, TRUE certification provides a proven framework for measuring and validating your zero waste journey.

At Ingenium, we believe waste isn’t just something to manage – it’s an opportunity to innovate, engage your team, and demonstrate measurable environmental leadership. Our DESTINATION ZERO program guides industry leaders toward zero waste transformation, making sustainability engaging and achievable. Let’s explore how the TRUE certificate program can revolutionize your approach to resource management.

Understanding TRUE Certification: More Than Just Numbers

TRUE certification goes beyond basic recycling. The system evaluates organizations across key categories that shape a holistic zero waste strategy:

  • Redesign: Optimizing collection systems, service levels, and supply chains to prevent waste at the source. This includes restructuring waste collection agreements and examining all points where waste is generated.
  • Reduce: Implementing strategies to minimize material consumption through initiatives like paperless operations, double-sided printing, and smart packaging design.
  • Reuse: Developing systematic approaches to maximize material lifecycles, from shipping containers and office supplies to food service items and transport packaging.
  • Compost (Re-Earth): Managing organic materials responsibly through on-site or off-site composting programs, including food scraps, yard trimmings, and soiled paper.
  • Recycle: Ensuring materials meet their highest and best use by identifying proper end markets and tracking material flows.
  • Zero Waste Reporting: Tracking and documenting progress through detailed commodity reporting, financial data analysis, and climate impact assessments.
  • Zero Waste Purchasing: Implementing sustainable procurement practices that prioritize environmentally preferred products, durable goods, and products with recycled content.
  • Leadership: Engaging management in zero waste initiatives through goal setting, employee incentives, and community engagement.
  • Training: Building organization-wide expertise through employee orientation, ongoing communication, and comprehensive zero waste training programs.

Transforming Waste Streams Into Value

Our DESTINATION ZERO program helps organizations transform their waste streams and align with the TRUE framework. Our expertise covers the full spectrum of non-hazardous materials your organization handles:

  • Everyday Waste Materials: Transform your everyday common waste materials into valuable resources. From paper documents and shipping boxes to outdated electronics and break room waste, we help organizations reimagine how they handle common workplace materials. Our approach turns routine supplies and equipment into opportunities for waste reduction and resource optimization.
  • Production and Operations: We work with organizations to address manufacturing byproducts, packaging materials, construction debris, and industrial materials like pallets and metal scraps. Our expertise helps transform these materials from cost centers into resources through recycling and reuse strategies.
  • Consumer-Facing Waste: We help organizations tackle retail packaging, food service items, display materials, and customer-generated waste through creative solutions that enhance sustainability and customer experience.
  • Organic Materials: From cafeteria food waste to landscape materials and compostable packaging, we develop complete solutions for organic waste streams.

TRUE Certification Levels and Requirements

Organizations can achieve certification at four levels, each representing a deeper commitment to zero waste solutions:

  • Certified Level (Base Certification): This foundational level demonstrates your organization’s commitment to zero waste principles. At this stage, you’ll implement basic waste reduction policies, establish initial training programs, and create systems for tracking and measuring your waste diversion efforts. This level is perfect for organizations just beginning their zero waste journey.
  • Silver Level: Building on the foundation of basic certification, silver represents a more comprehensive approach to waste reduction. At this level, your organization will develop sophisticated waste reduction strategies, implement documented management programs throughout your operations, and create employee engagement initiatives that foster a culture of sustainability.
  • Gold Level: The gold level signifies excellence in waste prevention and resource management. Organizations achieving this level demonstrate advanced programs that extend beyond their immediate operations to engage suppliers and implement innovative waste reduction strategies. This level requires documentation and proven success in creating systemic change.
  • Platinum Level: As the highest level of the TRUE certificate program, platinum represents truly transformative achievement in zero waste practices. Organizations at this level demonstrate industry leadership through stakeholder engagement, innovative waste prevention strategies, and sophisticated tracking systems. This level recognizes organizations that have transformed their approach to resource management and are leading the way in zero waste practices.

DESTINATION ZERO brings proven success in guiding organizations to the highest levels of TRUE certification. Our portfolio includes industry pioneers who have achieved Gold and Platinum certification, often becoming the first in their sector or region to reach these prestigious benchmarks. This track record demonstrates our ability to transform ambitious sustainability goals into measurable achievements.

The benefits of certification extend throughout your organization:

  • Measurable Impact: Track and verify your waste reduction efforts with clear metrics.
  • Resource Optimization: Transform waste streams into valuable resources.
  • Cultural Transformation: Build a team united around sustainability goals.
  • Industry Leadership: Join a community of forward-thinking organizations.
  • Cost Reduction: Lower waste management expenses while finding new value opportunities.

The Path to TRUE Success: Your Zero Waste Journey

While the path to certification might seem complex, we’ve developed a methodology that makes the process engaging and achievable. Here’s how our DESTINATION ZERO program guides organizations through their certification journey:

  1. Assessment Phase: Understanding your starting point is crucial for success. Through facility evaluations, employee engagement surveys, and analysis of current practices, we develop a complete picture of your organization’s challenges and opportunities. This helps us understand your waste streams, company culture, team dynamics, and operational needs.
  2. Strategic Development: Building on our assessment findings, we create a customized roadmap for your zero waste journey. Your team of resource specialists works alongside your organization to establish meaningful goals, build a passionate sustainability team, and identify the right partners for your needs.
  3. Implementation: This phase is where your zero waste vision becomes reality. We help transform your operations through optimized collection systems, engaging training programs, and innovative employee engagement initiatives. We focus on creating lasting behavioral change while maintaining operational efficiency and tracking progress toward your goals.
  4. Documentation: Let us handle the technical details while you focus on transformation. Our team manages data collection, progress tracking, and required waste reporting for TRUE certification. We prepare documentation, coordinate site visits, and ensure all certification requirements are met.

Start Your TRUE Certification Journey

Whether you’re just beginning to think about zero waste or looking to validate your existing efforts, we meet you at your starting point and guide you toward success.

Look for a TRUE advisor certificate partner who:

  • Makes sustainability engaging and accessible
  • Provides data-driven insights and recommendations
  • Understands the importance of cultural transformation
  • Offers support throughout your journey
  • Has a proven track record of certification success

Let’s transform your waste streams into valuable assets while building a culture of sustainability that lasts. Contact our team to schedule an initial assessment and discover how TRUE certification can revolutionize your approach to resource management.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to achieve TRUE certification?

The timeline for TRUE certification depends on your current diversion rate and existing waste management practices. Organizations must first achieve a minimum 90% diversion rate from landfills, incineration (waste-to-energy). Once this threshold is reached, you must maintain an average 90% diversion rate for 12 consecutive months before being eligible to submit for certification. The total journey can vary based on your starting point, but having an experienced partner helps streamline the process through systematic implementation of zero waste practices.

Is TRUE certification only for large organizations?

No! TRUE certification is flexible and accessible to organizations of all sizes. The program can certify individual facilities, multiple locations within the same organization, or even specific events. Whether you’re a single office, a multi-site corporation, or planning a zero waste event, the program adapts to your specific needs and circumstances. Our DESTINATION ZERO program can help determine the right certification approach for your organization’s unique structure and goals.

What happens after certification?

Certification isn’t the end game, once your certified our DESTINATION ZERO team helps you maintain your zero waste status through organizational transitions, expansions, and industry changes. TRUE certification is valid for 3 years and an annual submission of diversion data is required each year. We continue to support your progress through program optimizations, employee engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives.

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