Local businesses pursue zero waste certification through city partnership

Three Indio businesses are working with sustainability consultants to achieve 90% waste diversion goals through a city-sponsored program that has already shown success in educating youth about proper waste sorting at summer camps.

The Indio Performing Arts Center (IPAC), Indio Senior Center, and Academy of Musical Performance are participating in the zero waste certification program, administered by SBM Sustainability, which aims to help businesses earn TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The program requires businesses to maintain 90% waste diversion for 12 consecutive months to qualify for certification. IPAC is projected to achieve silver certification with 41 credits, while the senior center and Academy of Musical Performance are each targeting basic certification with 33 and 36 credits respectively.

At IPAC, the program has demonstrated particular success in engaging young people through hands-on education. During a summer camp that coincided with the launch of a new compost program, SBM representatives visited each class to teach children proper waste sorting techniques.

“We actually went around and saw the waste bins, and there was high levels of contamination in each waste stream. But after the talks with Sue [Beets-Atkinson, SBM’s global vice president of sustainability] they actually had very low contamination, some not showing any signs of contamination, and the children were doing a great job of sorting their waste,” said Katie Custer, regional sustainability manager for SBM.

IPAC plans to expand the educational component starting next year, incorporating competitions and prizes to keep children engaged in waste reduction practices during future summer camps.

Beets-Atkinson said IPAC staff became particularly interested in the program, “What’s really nice about that is they all became zero waste experts. And then they started talking to their employees, and the energy and the passion sort of rolls downhill with stuff like that.”

The program has provided participating businesses with waste stream signage following best practices, educational posters to improve understanding of proper waste disposal, and guidance on implementing new diversion programs.

SBM has also helped establish centralized trash collection stations and assisted with the implementation of composting programs. 

Once businesses achieve the required 90% diversion rate for 12 months, SBM will submit applications to the Green Building Council for TRUE certification. Benefits of a TRUE certification include opportunities to reduce inefficiencies and costs associated with waste management and helping businesses follow best practices for public health and the environment. 

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