Going Zero Waste: Achieving Sustainability Goals through TRUE Certification

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The TRUE certification process is a rigorous and comprehensive program that promotes sustainable waste management practices and aims to achieve zero waste goals. The program offers different approaches for organizations seeking certification, including individual projects, group projects, and portfolios.

An individual project refers to a single building that is pursuing TRUE precertification and/or certification. To achieve TRUE certification, the individual building must demonstrate full compliance with the rating system requirements. An individual project can be part of a larger portfolio of projects or one of multiple buildings on a campus.

A group project, on the other hand, refers to a group of buildings pursuing TRUE precertification and/or certification as one project. A group project can be of two types: campus group project or regional group project. A campus group project involves multiple buildings on a campus receiving TRUE certification as a group based on data and documentation aggregated across all buildings. The buildings must demonstrate compliance with all requirements to achieve TRUE certification. A regional group project involves multiple buildings in different locations within the same region receiving TRUE certification as one project based on data and documentation aggregated across all buildings.

Organizations can also pursue TRUE certification as a portfolio, which is a collection of individual and/or group projects owned or managed by a single organization. Projects within the portfolio can be of different sizes and located in different regions. TRUE certification is issued to the individual or group project within the portfolio, and the portfolio itself does not receive a combined certification.

The TRUE Rating System 2022 outlines the requirements for achieving TRUE certification in different categories, including performance, leadership, innovation, and others. Organizations can earn points in each category, and the total points earned determine the level of certification received. The certification levels are Certified (31-37 points), Silver (38-45 points), Gold (46-63 points), and Platinum (64-81 points).

The TRUE certification process offers different approaches for organizations seeking certification, including individual projects, group projects, and portfolios. The TRUE Rating System 2022 outlines the requirements for achieving TRUE certification in different categories, and organizations can earn points in each category to achieve different certification levels. By implementing sustainable waste management practices and achieving TRUE certification, organizations can reduce costs associated with waste disposal, achieve sustainability goals, and gain a competitive advantage.

table of credits that organizations can earn in different categories to achieve TRUE certification:

CategoryCreditPoints
PerformanceDiversion (min. 90%)5
Compost (Re-earth)7
Recycling3
Zero Waste Reporting4
LeadershipTraining8
Upstream Management4
Hazardous Waste Prevention5
Redesign4
Closed Loop System4
Zero Waste Purchasing9
ReuseReuse7
InnovationInnovation3

Organizations must earn a minimum of 31 points to achieve certification, with higher levels of certification (Silver, Gold, Platinum) achieved by earning more points. The TRUE Rating System 2022 provides detailed information on each credit, documentation requirements, and verification processes.

Certification LevelPoints Range
Certified31-37
Silver38-45
Gold46-63
Platinum64-81

Organizations must earn a minimum of 31 points to achieve TRUE certification, and higher levels of certification (Silver, Gold, Platinum) are achieved by earning more points. The TRUE Rating System 2022 outlines the requirements for achieving points in different categories, including performance, leadership, innovation, and others. By earning points in each category, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable waste management practices and achieve recognition for their efforts through TRUE certification.