Waste management hierarchy places disposal in landfill as the last option signifying its extensive environmental concerns.
Landfills are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. In addition, landfills pose a great threat to site ecology, contaminates soil and groundwater, reduces land value and aesthetics. Landfill sites thus should have least preference by sustainable industry leaders with an aim to maximize the waste diversion to better management approach.
SGS has introduced Zero Waste to Landfill verification as a solution to assist committed industries to demonstrate their efforts and achievement in optimizing sustainable waste management by minimizing waste sent to landfills. Zero Waste Concept is the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, recycling, and recovery of products, packaging and materials. Implementing zero waste requires switching from waste management via landfills to a value-added resource recovery system, ensuring material is favorably put back into nature or market.
The SGS Zero Waste to Landfill Standard can be applied to any organization to verify percentage of waste diverted from landfill through recycling, reuse, or recovery. The standard provides two scopes, either site boundaries covering verification within organization’s boundaries which are limited to their factories or site and waste treatment facilities boundaries covering organization boundaries as well as waste operators in charge of disposing, re-using or recycling their waste. The verification process takes in 5 main steps:
- Desktop review of requested data and risk analysis
- Data verification through site visit, inventory verification and traceability of waste
- Issue findings
- Technical review of complete process by independent SGS reviewer
- Reports and verification statement with Mark
The SGS Zero Waste to Landfill standard is one of a series of waste solutions from SGS that will guide you toward your sustainability targets and demonstrates your commitment to the sustainable use of resources and will enhance your brand reputation.
With decades of experience as leading organization in inspection, verification, testing and certification SGS is once again at your service with benefits aligned to improve business, environment, and society.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
