ROAD TO ZERO WASTE: How Waste Becomes Future Recyclable

Added value for companies, more safety for consumers: With the ROAD TO ZERO WASTE Label, we are embarking together on the road to a clean future.

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Waste and its impact on the environment are some of the most pressing problems facing our planet. So, it’s about time to rethink and find sustainable solutions: ROAD TO ZERO WASTE regards waste as the recyclable of the future. This perspective enables a functioning circular economy – tomorrow’s waste management.

‘ZERO WASTE’ does not mean no more waste at all – the goal is to reduce all avoidable waste to zero, conserve natural resources, maximize recycling and minimize residual waste.

The transformation to a cleaner tomorrow needs common goals and united strengths. This is why the ROAD TO ZERO WASTE Label certifies companies, organizations and projects that successfully complete the transformation from waste to recyclable and to greater sustainability.

Waste as a recyclable: ZERO WASTE through circular economy

We are all facing an enormous task together in waste management: According to World Bank forecasts, the global waste volume will increase by around 70% by 2050, from 2 to around 3.4 billion metric tons.* Just one plastic bottle in the ocean takes 350 to 400 years to completely decompose – the way we handle waste will therefore shape the planet’s climate and environment in the long term. Can all this waste be avoided? Unfortunately, not. But we can think about it differently: as a recyclable and resource.

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Moving to a functioning circular economy

If we work together to avoid waste and intensify its use as a recyclable material, companies, consumers and the environment will benefit in equal measure. This is why waste is collected separately, sorted, processed and recycled so that it can be reused in the production of goods and packaging.

By returning waste to the production cycle, it is given a new lease on life and becomes a valuable commodity. A functioning circular economy thus ensures a more sustainable use of resources.

The new standard for a sustainable future

The goal: reduce waste, minimize non-recyclable waste and return recyclable material to the loop. To turn this mission into a reality, a consortium of NGOs, science and business has initiated a new DIN standard and developed guidelines for the transparent handling of resources.

In accordance with the forward-looking provisions of the new DIN SPEC 91436 standard, the ROAD TO ZERO WASTE label guarantees sustainable recyclables and waste management. All companies and organizations that align their recyclables and waste management with ZERO WASTE can now be certified.

*Source: www.worldbank.org

On the way to ZERO WASTE

ROAD TO ZERO WASTE – Sustainably Valuable for Companies

DIN SPEC 91436: Holistic perspective of recyclables and waste management

The ROAD TO ZERO WASTE label is a certification which can be conducted by an approved and independent testing organization, such as TÜV SÜD or DEKRA. The underlying, new standard DIN SPEC 91436 defines the reference model for operational recyclables and waste management. The goal is to consider the ecological, economic and social impact of waste management and resource management in a holistic manner and thereby to follow the ZERO WASTE idea in a concrete fashion. Existing resources are thus optimally used by means of consumption reduction, waste avoidance, repairs, reuse, composting, fermentation and recycling.

The Benefits of a ZERO WASTE Certification for Companies

ZERO WASTE is the future. Building trust with stakeholders can succeed if companies have recognized the importance of sustainable recyclables and waste management, and implement it in their corporate processes.

Minimizing non-recyclable waste helps companies save money in production processes and supply chains – e.g., by optimizing recycling, transport routes, repair and reuse, and by capitalizing on existing resources.

By taking the ZERO WASTE guidelines into account, companies succeed in reducing their waste volume and making the best possible use of existing waste as a recyclable material.

Sustainable economic activity reduces the impact on soil, ecosystems, groundwater and air. In this way, companies mitigate the risk of environmental damage and enhance their standing as a responsible company in their region.

By raising employee knowledge and awareness of sustainable recyclables and waste management, companies facilitate and accelerate the implementation of a ZERO WASTE STRATEGY within the company.

How the certification works

This is how companies or organizations are guided to a zero waste future with the new ROAD TO ZERO WASTE DIN label.

Step 1

Implementation of internal recyclables and waste management according to DIN SPEC 91436.

Step 2

Certification by an independent, approved testing organization, e.g., TÜV SÜD or DEKRA.

Step 3

Application for use of the ROAD TO ZERO WASTE Label by means of proof of successfully completed certification.*

Step 4

Continuous optimization of the recyclables and waste management system as well as annual review by the independent, approved testing organization in order to continue to be allowed to use the label.
*In the event of suspension, expiry, revocation or withdrawal of the certificate, the use of the ROAD TO ZERO WASTE Label must also be terminated immediately. The label may only be used in connection with the certified company and the certification area.
Learn more about the new DIN-Standard DIN SPEC 91436.

The label is awarded in three versions, which reflect the success of the companies on the path to ZERO WASTE: Gold, Silver and Bronze. These reflect the respective maturity level of recyclables and waste management according to DIN SPEC 91436.

Label Level

gold

Share of positive* recycling

Share of neutral** recycling

Share of negative*** recycling

Bronze

gold

min. 85 %

Share of positive* recycling

max. 15 %

Share of neutral** recycling

max. 10 %

Share of negative*** recycling

Silver

gold

min. 90 %

Share of positive* recycling

max. 10 %

Share of neutral** recycling

0 %

Share of negative*** recycling

Gold

gold

min. 95 %

Share of positive* recycling

max. 5 %

Share of neutral** recycling

0 %

Share of negative*** recycling

*Waste prevention, waste reduction, recycling, composting, fermentation
**incineration with energy recovery
***incineration without energy recovery, landfilling
In principle, the obligation to carry out the most suitable type of recovery (Para. 7 Sec. 4 KrWG) applies, taking into account the high-value requirement (Para. 8 Sec. 1 Sent. 1 KrWG) according to the waste hierarchy. In accordance with the waste hierarchy, negative and neutral recovery is only an option to a limited extent if reuse, recycling, fermentation or composting are ruled out due to health or ecological hazards or restrictions or technical impossibility as well as economic unreasonableness. This is to be evaluated within the scope of certification and annual monitoring by means of verifiable criteria and proven to the independent testing organization.

Road to ZERO WASTE: Overview of Certification Projects

With a positive shipment rate of over 95%, Lidl Czech Republic’s stores and warehouses have received the world’s first gold certification. This was closely followed by Lidl Netherlands, which also achieved a rate of over 95%. Kaufland Romania and Kaufland Slovakia also successfully passed the certification process with more than 90% and were awarded silver. The PreZero Arena in Sinsheim is also the first Bundesliga stadium to receive certification.

On the way to more sustainability and climate neutrality by 2024, DATAGROUP has also achieved gold status in the zero-waste certification at its sites in Pliezhausen and Leinfelden.

Further certifications for national and international Kaufland and Lidl stores will follow in the foreseeable future.

Zero waste in the context of sport & events

There have already been successful projects in the field of sport and events in particular, including in the context of zero waste certification: Football stadiums such as Hoffenheim, which have achieved the ‘Road to Zero Waste’ certification in the silver and bronze maturity levels, or events and trade fairs such as the BUGA (Federal Garden Show) can already benefit economically and ecologically through cooperation with PreZero.

Behind these successes lies the combined expertise needed to conserve resources along the entire value chain. With our holistic consulting expertise and transparent cooperation, we can promote closed-loop systems alongside our customers and partners. Precise analyses of disposal processes and existing waste streams on site, the development of individual concepts – taking into account suitable container configurations, logistics and recycling routes as well as compliance with legal framework conditions – and ongoing sorting instructions, training and awareness-raising for all stakeholders as required ensure that we act in line with our omnipresent goal: Following the Zero Waste approach to minimise all avoidable waste in the long term, while conserving natural resources and maximising recycling and reuse.

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Is your company interested in a certification according to ZERO WASTE or is already certified and wants to use the label? In that case, please contact us.