Total Resource Use and Efficiency: Verifies zero waste performance and waste diversion systems for facilities and projects

What’s Required

1. Zero waste performance

TRUE certification is built around verified zero waste practices. GBCI describes TRUE as a zero waste certification system that supports facilities in cutting waste, reducing carbon footprint, and supporting public health. Projects submit documentation and performance data to demonstrate compliance with the TRUE Rating System.

A project generally needs to show:

• Waste prevention and diversion practices.

• Measurement of material flows.

• Policies to reduce waste at source.

• Reuse, recycling and composting systems.

• Responsible purchasing practices.

• Employee and stakeholder engagement.

• Waste diversion data.

• Documentation of waste vendors and destinations.

• Continuous improvement processes.

2. Certification points and credit categories

The TRUE Rating System is organized into credit categories covering the core elements of a zero waste program. The current rating system overview states that credits are organized into 15 categories, and projects must earn 31 credit points to achieve certification.

Credit areas include practical waste management and organizational systems, such as:

• Redesign.

• Reduce.

• Reuse.

• Compost.

• Recycle.

• Zero waste purchasing.

• Training.

• Leadership.

• Innovation.

• Closed-loop systems.

• Waste audit and analysis.

• Diversion from landfill, incineration, and the environment.

3. Diversion data and annual reporting

TRUE certification is performance-based. GBCI states that projects submit 12 months of waste diversion data annually to keep certification current. Certified projects may recertify by providing annual performance data showing that the project continues to meet zero waste requirements.

This means organizations need reliable data systems for:

• Waste generation.

• Waste diversion.

• Landfill disposal.

• Recycling.

• Composting.

• Reuse.

• Vendor reporting.

• Material stream contamination.

• Continuous monitoring.

Annual data is central to maintaining credibility.

4. Third-party assessment

TRUE certification includes review by an impartial assessor. GBCI explains that the assessor works under GBCI supervision and reviews compliance with the rating system requirements.

Companies should prepare:

• Documentation.

• Policies.

• Waste contracts.

• Diversion reports.

• Training evidence.

• Site photographs where needed.

• Procurement records.

• Waste audit findings.

• Internal governance records.

5. Applicability

TRUE can apply to facilities and other projects seeking to certify zero waste operations. It is relevant for:

• Manufacturing sites.

• Warehouses.

• Offices.

• Campuses.

• Retail sites.

• Events.

• Construction activities.

• Hospitality.

• Public sector facilities.

• Logistics and distribution centers.

Important Deadlines

There is no universal statutory deadline because TRUE is voluntary.

Important timing points:

• Projects generally need a documented performance period.

• GBCI refers to annual submission of 12 months of waste diversion data to keep certification current.

• TRUE v2 is in progress, while current projects can continue using the existing TRUE rating system.

• USGBC support materials state that the official closure date for TRUE v1 will be announced with the TRUE v2 launch.

Current Status

TRUE is active and administered by GBCI. TRUE v2 is currently in development, but existing projects may continue to use the existing TRUE rating system while the new version is being prepared.

Current status:

• Active certification system.

• Administered by GBCI.

• Focused on zero waste performance.

• Requires documentation and annual diversion data.

• TRUE v2 is under development.

• Existing projects can continue under the current rating system for now.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

TRUE does not impose statutory penalties. Consequences are certification-based and commercial.

Possible consequences include:

1. Certification refusal

A project may fail to achieve certification if documentation or performance does not meet requirements.

2. Loss of current certification status

Projects that do not provide required ongoing performance data may lose current certification status.

3. Failed recertification

Projects may fail recertification if waste diversion performance declines or evidence is incomplete.

4. Contractual consequences

If TRUE certification is required by a contract, failure may trigger breach, loss of eligibility or commercial penalties.

5. Reputational risk

False or unsupported zero waste claims can damage credibility and create greenwashing risk.

Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes

Typical failure modes include:

• Claiming zero waste without verified diversion data.

• Counting waste-to-energy or disposal as zero waste without checking TRUE rules.

• Using incomplete hauler or recycler data.

• Failing to track contamination in recycling streams.

• Not documenting downstream destinations for materials.

• Treating one-time cleanup results as ongoing zero waste performance.

• Excluding major waste streams from the boundary.

• Failing to maintain 12 months of data.

• Overstating diversion rates.

• Not updating waste policies after operational changes.

• Relying on supplier claims without evidence.

• Confusing landfill diversion with waste prevention.

Resources

• https://true.gbci.org/

• https://true.gbci.org/true-certification-zero-waste

• https://true.gbci.org/how-achieve-true-certification

• https://true.gbci.org/resources

• https://true.gbci.org/truev2

• https://www.gbci.org/about-true