While at the Circularity 24 conference in Chicago, WDM’s Cynthia Milota sat down with Jessica Heiges to discuss what it takes to design and operate a zero waste building.
A net zero waste building is operated to reduce, reuse, recycle, compost or recover solid waste streams thereby resulting in no waste disposal to landfills or incinerators.
Federal Energy Management Program
As a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor for the Chou Hall project team, Jessica’s focus is sustainable and just transitions to waste-free systems.
Chou Hall was the first a TRUE Zero Waste academic building, certified in 2019. TRUE is a “zero waste certification program that guides facilities, portfolios, events and construction sites to design waste out of their system,” (Byrne, 2023). Today there are over 300 facilities in 28 countries that have received the TRUE certification.
TRUE projects have diverted over 5.6 million tons from the world’s waste streams.
USGBC, 2023
Cynthia Milota (CM): What is Chou Hall’s story? How did the project come to be and how were you involved.
Jessica Heiges (JH): The Chou Hall zero waste building initiative was the result of a perfect alignment of forces. The project had buy-in from all necessary stakeholders across campus – leadership, facilities and the student body – who were motivated to support innovative sustainability solutions. The Haas School of Business wanted to be a “living laboratory” where sustainability solutions could be tested, applied and learned, moving beyond just theory taught in the classroom.
The Haas Dean and COO at the time were also highly supportive of this initiative – and had the initial funds to back it. Chou Hall was newly built, slated to open in October of 2017. The building was already on track to receive LEED and WELL certification, so Haas aimed for the “trifecta” by also obtaining TRUE certification. Additionally, the primary donor for Chou Hall deeply believed in and advocated for innovation and sustainability.
I started my master’s program in zero waste + circularity in August 2017. A classmate of mine was already involved in the project; and once he learned of my interest in and capacity to support the certification program, he brought me onto the team.
CM: What are the goals of a TRUE certification, and what is the process?
JH: To receive the GBCI TRUE certification, a facility must have 12 consecutive months of a 90%+ diversion-from-landfill (diversion) rate. It is important to note that incineration, including waste-to-energy, is not considered a diversion method. Facilities also need to demonstrate a documented baseline year of waste diversion data and maintain a contamination rate below 10% for all outgoing waste streams.
The TRUE certification process involves earning credits across 15 categories, including innovation, upstream waste management practices, staff training and reporting. Unlike other certification programs, TRUE takes a holistic approach, aiming to influence not just on-site waste management, but also upstream and downstream practices within the supply chain. To keep their certification current, facilities must maintain a diversion rate above 90% and submit annual reports.
CM: What are the operations of Chou Hall? How can others apply those lessons in their facilities?
JH: Since its certification, Chou Hall continues to excel. It remains a shining example of a successful zero waste implementation, serving as a key differentiator between Haas and other sustainability-minded MBA programs. It has become a north star for other buildings on campus and is now expanding to include other buildings in the Haas ecosystem.
Throughout the two years of working toward zero waste at Chou Hall, our team learned a great deal. Some of the most significant learnings and recommendations that resulted from our experience include:
- Early stakeholder engagement: Get key decision-makers on board early. Clearly define their roles in the initiative and keep them informed to generate buy-in throughout the process.
- Comprehensive education: Develop a multi-channel education campaign tailored to your specific audience and deliver it persistently. Effective communication is crucial for success.
- Strong program management: Assemble a passionate and dedicated team to manage the program. Setbacks are inevitable, so a methodical approach and strong stakeholder relationships are essential.
- Funding matters: Verbal support isn’t enough. Secure dedicated, recurring and sufficient funding to support the initiative’s infrastructure and ongoing operations.
- Planning for events: Events often generate far more waste than anticipated, and managing waste during events requires careful planning to navigate competing priorities and resource limitations.
- Waste audits are powerful: Conduct waste audits (also known as waste characterization studies) to gain valuable insights into the types and volumes of waste generated. This will help you target your efforts and refine your program. Waste audits can also be a great engagement tool: getting community members involved by having them sort trash while wearing hazmat suits!
CM: You mentioned that the success of zero waste facilities is largely due to a partnership between the site facilities team, the owner and the various consultants. Can you elaborate on this partnership and why its so crucial?
JH: Facility staff are the backbone of zero waste implementation and maintenance. They implement the infrastructure changes needed to promote zero waste, such as installing compost and recycling bins and dishwashers. Custodial and janitorial staff are essential as they ultimately ensure proper waste sorting, placing waste in the designated bins for collection and preventing contamination.
Building owners play a key role in approving components within a facility as well, such as installing dishwashers, which is vital for reducing waste. Their support is essential for unlocking zero waste initiatives. And lastly, the success of any zero waste program hinges on the cooperation of building occupants. This means properly sorting waste and avoiding unnecessary printing.
CM: How does the familiar camping phrase “pack-in, pack out” apply to Zero Waste buildings?
JH: The “pack-in, pack-out” mentality is essential for zero waste practices. The core idea is two-fold:
- It is based on an understanding that we should not bring and leave our waste elsewhere, and
- It creates a “nudge of inconvenience.” By making it less convenient to throw away waste, individuals may be less inclined to engage in waste-generating practices.
That said, it is not a solution for every situation, and it is important to recognize accessibility concerns. Not all individuals have equal access to reusable versus single-use consumption items. Accessibility can vary based on a variety of factors, and there are financial and time constraints to choosing less convenient consumption practices. Physical constraints can be a barrier as well for those with disabilities who may not have the option to choose reusable consumption (e.g. drinking a beverage without a straw).
Yet ultimately, the “pack-in, pack-out” mentality aims to view all locations like the wilderness and make a conscious effort to monitor and minimize our negative impact. It is one tactic to promote behavioral change toward reducing our current unsustainable rate of waste generation.
Chou Hall does not have any landfill bins. You heard it right! Their pack-in, pack-out policy for trash helps students and staff be aware of the waste they generate.
Northern California Recycling Association
CM: How has Chou Hall influenced the operation of other buildings on the Berkeley campus? Do you see overall student behavior changing regarding waste generation?
JH: UC Berkeley has developed its own zero waste program embodying many principles from the TRUE certification, which is being implemented in buildings across campus. Though not certified by TRUE, all new buildings at UC Berkeley are designed to be zero waste. There is a clear change in student behavior – they are taking more ownership and pride in the sustainability of their campus. Across campus there are student-generated signs, programs, clubs and policies in support of waste reduction education and infrastructural and programmatic change. It is powerful and energizing. Having that kind of student engagement is not unique but makes an impact toward achieving such ambitious sustainability goals.
Getting Started in your Workplace
To get started on a Zero Waste journey at your office, Dr. Nick Becker provides “18 Zero-Waste Tips to Implement in the Workplace,” (Becker, 2024). Here are some concepts to get started.
More strategic zero waste strategies include encouraging employee and customer ideas on sustainability, going beyond pilots to create long-term initiatives for zero office waste. Partner with the facilities team, building management and your community to highlight zero waste initiatives.
Chou Hall is a stand-out example of a zero waste building, holding the TRUE certification and positively influencing zero waste around the entire UC Berkeley campus. Functioning as a zero waste facility for 6 years, the success of the Chou Hall project in planning and on-going operation is dependent on effective collaboration between the facility staff, building owners, building users and consultants. Eliminating waste can be accomplished by reducing, reusing, recycling and composting to divert waste from landfills or incinerators.
For the complete list visit ClimateSort/zero-waste-tips.
