First zero waste benchmarking scheme launches - 11 July, 2012.
Companies who claim to be 'zero waste' can now opt
to back up their environmental credentials and validate their declarations.
UL Environment has launched a new environmental
claim service for businesses, which covers a variety of waste-related
activities, from minimisation and landfill diversion drives to recycling rates
and energy recovery gains.
The company said it developed the validation process in response to growing
demand from consumers and customers for a reliable industry benchmark, where
self-awarded eco-labels and greenwashing hold little value.
"While environmentally responsible companies strive to lessen their impacts
through creative waste diversion programs, meaningful tools to communicate
these efforts to the marketplace are hard to find," a spokesperson said.
Under UL's service offering, three types of landfill waste diversion claims are
eligible for validation: zero waste to landfill; virtually zero waste to
landfill (for facilities that have achieved a diversion rate of 98% or
greater); Landfill diversion rate (for diversion rates of 80% or more).
All companies and facilities that are validated will be featured by name in a
sustainable products database and can carry an assurance mark on their
promotional and marketing materials.
According to UL, this will help give companies extra credibility in the
marketplace, as well as a competitive edge. .
Source: www.edie.net
11 July, 2012.