Waste Diversion from Landfill Certified
GreenCircle
Certifies waste diversion efforts, ensuring landfill reduction.
The Waste Diversion from Landfill Certified costs $0 USD, takes approximately 8 weeks, and requires around 40 hours of study. Over 500 organizations have earned this certification worldwide. Renewal costs $0 USD every 12 months.
Key Strengths
- Third-party verified waste diversion claims backed by ISO 17065-compliant audit process
- Recognizes multiple diversion pathways including recycling, reuse, source reduction, and energy recovery
- Specific zero-waste and event-specific certification tracks available
- Annual recertification ensures ongoing accountability and continuous improvement
- Provides marketing rights and documentation to support brand sustainability claims
- Supports circular economy goals with transparent, quantified diversion metrics
Ideal For
This certification is best suited for manufacturers, consumer goods companies, and industrial facilities seeking to validate and communicate their waste diversion achievements to customers, retailers, and sustainability-focused stakeholders. It is particularly valuable for organizations that already divert 90%+ of waste from landfills and want credible third-party verification to support marketing claims, procurement requirements, or ESG reporting.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Scope
Overview
The GreenCircle Waste Diversion from Landfill Certification verifies a company’s commitment to minimizing waste and diverting materials away from landfills. To achieve this certification, organizations must demonstrate that they divert at least 90% of their waste from landfills or incineration through various methods, including source reduction, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery. The certification process involves a thorough audit of the company’s waste management practices and facilities, ensuring compliance with industry standards like ISO 17065.
This certification not only assesses overall waste diversion but also offers specific certifications such as zero-waste certification or event-specific audits. It provides a transparent, third-party evaluation of how well a company manages its material outputs and encourages ongoing improvement in waste management processes. GreenCircle works with companies to optimize their waste reduction efforts and maximize sustainability impacts.
Certified companies receive documentation and marketing rights to showcase their certification, signaling their dedication to environmental responsibility. The program offers an annual recertification process to ensure continued compliance and improvement in waste diversion practices.
The GreenCircle Waste Diversion from Landfill Certification helps companies reduce their environmental impact, enhance their brand’s credibility, and contribute to a circular economy by promoting effective and sustainable waste management practices.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Organizations must provide documentation of their waste streams, disposal methods, and diversion rates covering a defined audit period. This includes waste manifests, recycling and reuse records, hauler contracts, and evidence of source reduction activities. A third-party auditor reviews facility operations and records to verify that at least 90% of waste is diverted from landfill or incineration through qualifying pathways.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
A GreenCircle-approved third-party auditor conducts a documentation review and facility audit to verify that the organization diverts at least 90% of its waste from landfills and incineration. The auditor reviews 12 months of waste records, hauler manifests, recycling and reuse documentation, and conducts a site inspection to confirm reported diversion pathways. The audit is conducted in accordance with ISO 17065 product certification standards. Results are reviewed by GreenCircle before certification is issued.
Renewal & Compliance
Certification must be renewed annually. Organizations undergo a recertification audit each year to confirm continued compliance with the 90% waste diversion threshold and to verify that waste management practices remain consistent with GreenCircle's certification standard. Updated documentation and records for the new audit period must be submitted.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Salary & Market Value
No published salary impact data is available for this organizational certification. For companies, achieving this certification can support access to sustainability-focused retail partnerships, green procurement contracts, and ESG-linked financing, which may carry indirect financial benefits.
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Organizations that have not yet achieved at least 90% waste diversion from landfills will not qualify and should first focus on improving their waste management practices before pursuing this certification. Companies seeking a broad sustainability or environmental management certification covering multiple impact areas (energy, water, carbon) should consider more comprehensive programs instead.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English
2009
500
Available