However, with due diligence and marketing claims regulations in place or coming into effect, such claims should be driven from fact-based evidence where businesses can present and validate their claims upon requests. This is where our Zero Waste to Landfill certification service comes in help.

Eurofins Assurance Zero Waste to Landfill certification service is designed for all types of manufacturing industry by our experts in field audit and environmental performance with particular knowledge in solid waste and hazardous waste areas. The service echoes seamlessly UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, particularly Target 12.4, 12.5 and 12.6.

Look at this short story on the certification of Mahindra and Mahindra Limited [Automotive and Farm Equipment Business], a leading and successful conglomerate in India.

The service takes a laser-focused approach to assess and verify the level of effort taken to minimise waste disposal to landfills by the businesses. Upon completion of whole audit process, the businesses will be awarded Zero Waste to Landfill certificates, which will be valid for 12 months.

There are three levels Zero Waste to Landfill certificates, showcasing different achievements in a quantitative manner:

Overview of assessment criteria of Zero Waste to Landfill certification

The certification service assessment covers a wide scope of criteria so as to generate a holistic view of the business’ performance. In a nutshell, assessment criteria include below areas:

• Landfill diversion data, and that the data should be verifiable, materially correct and able to demonstrate the level of diversion claimed.
• Assurance from vendors that any byproducts and wastes are not disposed to landfills.
• Implementation of documented waste management processes and procedures.
• Competency training programmes to people whose work might affect the performance of zero waste to landfill commitment.
• A waste management information system which demonstrates quantification of wastes, tracking systems, appropriate manifesting, shipping records, and other waste handling and disposal information.
• Utilization of management systems such as operational controls, monitoring, and corrective actions to ensure the waste management processes are effectively implemented. These processes should reside within ISO 14001 or ISO 9001 management systems, if implemented.
• Compliance with applicable regulatory requirements related to byproducts and waste materials is required. Where noncompliance is observed, acceptable corrective actions must be implemented.

Apart from site visits, pre-assessment may be required in this Zero Waste to Landfill certification and the businesses will be requested to provide certain documents around the landfill scopes to facilitate audit planning and preparation. As in other audit activities, reports carrying findings and non-conformities will be issued. The businesses will be expected to improve all major non-conformities or the Zero Waste to Landfill certificate will not be issued.

Benefits of adopting Zero Waste to Landfill certificate services

• Substantiate your Zero Waste to Landfill claim to avoid regulatory non-compliance with fact-based reports, findings and actions.
• Establish higher transparency and brand integrity to internal and external stakeholders with the certificates awarded.
• Leverage effectively Eurofins Assurance’ expertise and programme, eliminating the huge amount of effort required to develop a new one on your own.
• Foster better partnership and understanding with your vendors and employees through collaboration in the audit processes.