It is a technical and management tool that allows organizations to implement the 3Rs and 9Rs strategies (reject, rethink, reduce, reuse/repurpose, repair, restore, remanufacture, repurpose and recycle) in a continuous improvement process, taking into account life cycle analysis and risk management, to increase their efficiency in the performance of the flow of materials and solid waste, within the framework of the circular economy.

The ZWMS have the harmonized structure (high level) of ISO standards, are aligned under the Circular Economy ISO 59000 standards, and can be audited and certified by authorized Conformity Assessment Bodies. In addition, they apply guidelines for the direction and management of projects in order to facilitate their implementation in different economic sectors and at international level.

The Zero Waste Management System certification program is managed by Global Zero Waste, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) created in 2012, leader in the development of circular economy standards and in establishing synergies between the public and private sectors and citizens in general. Additionally, the program has authorized conformity assessment bodies to ensure the independence and transparency of the standard, through auditing and certification of the ZWMS International Standard.

All public or private organizations from any sector of the economy that wish to establish and make visible their commitment to the Circular Economy and apply the Zero Waste model as a tool to improve the management of solid waste, materials and their organizational processes.

The structured application of the Standard yields economic, environmental, and social benefits. It furnishes organizations with crucial data and insights regarding the flow and management of materials used, thereby fostering the development of circular economy alternatives and sustainability through various approaches. The information produced by the implementation of the Standard can be aligned with other sustainability standards, such as GRI Reports, Sustainability GreenMetric, ISO 59000, ISO 14001, among others.

ZWMS certification has three categories and one award:

Platinum: recognition to organizations that have achieved certification of their system for 3 consecutive years and in the last period obtained gold category.
Gold: certification to organizations with a total score between 80 and 100 points
Silver: certification to organizations with a total score between 60 and 79 points
Bronze: certification to organizations with a total score between 40 and 59 points

Each category represents a different level of achievement of the ZWMS International Standard, which allows organizations to be in the pursuit of continuous improvement in their integrated management of materials and waste.

ZWMS is certified by authorized Conformity Assessment Bodies in conjunction with Global Zero Waste, they conduct external and independent audits. This process ensures the credibility and integrity of the certification.

ZWMS contributes significantly to meeting the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that, by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The International Standard contributes to the following SDGs:

1. Biosphere: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2. Society: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

3. Economy: SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

By adhering to the Standard, organizations can play a vital role in advancing these goals and promoting sustainable development on a global scale.

1. Entry into the certification program: As an organization, you must have access to Zero Waste Membership. This value varies according to the size of the organization: small, medium or large. For more information, please contact us at proyectos@basuraceroglobal.com or through this form.

2. Implementation of the ZWMS: according to the needs analysis performed by the organization, the cost of implementation varies according to the resources (human, technological, etc.) and scope (processes, areas, facilities, among others) that the organization prioritizes and defines to implement it.

3. Certification audit: consists of the external audit process, which is carried out by a Conformity Assessment Body. The costs of the audit are defined by the Conformity Assessment Body chosen for this purpose.

Please note that these costs are an essential part of the process to ensure the credibility and integrity of the certification.

No, SGZW is not a recycling-only standard. This International Standard seeks to continuously improve the efficiency of the organization's material and waste streams in order to ensure process traceability and reduce waste to disposal and low efficiency strategies such as energy recovery. This is done through more efficient 3R and 9R strategies, such as reduction and reuse. As an enabling requirement, the organization must have at least a real recycling percentage of 50%, although this is not the only requirement to obtain certification. This system verifies other organizational components in an integral manner, as it is a circular economy tool in the flow of materials.

Only if the organization is complying with the other requirements of the International Standard with a minimum of 40 points. Although the qualifying requirement is that the company has a minimum of 50% actual recycling percentage, the objective is to achieve continuous improvement in the efficiency of the material flow and ensure its traceability, so it must comply with the other requirements of the International Standard. Depending on the level of compliance (score awarded by the third party audit), it is classified in bronze, silver or gold category.

No. The category awarded depends on the organization's level of compliance with the requirements of the International Standard Zero Waste Management Systems, which are included in the headings"context of the organization, leadership, planning, support, operation of comprehensive solid waste management, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement".

One of the great advantages of the International Standard is its organization under the harmonized (or high-level) structure of the ISO international standards, an aspect that allows it to be aligned in a favorable, systemic and integral way with other organizational standards. The Zero Waste Management Systems International Standard has the following eleven (11) titles:

0. Introduction
1. Scope and Field of Application
2. Normative References
3. Terms and Definitions
4. Context of the Organization
5. Leadership
6. Planning
7. Support
8. Operation of Comprehensive Solid Waste Management
9. Performance Evaluation
10. Improvement (continuous)

The time for the implementation of the International Standard varies according to the characteristics of each organization, scope, work team and progress in the circular economy strategies. On average this process can take between 6 to 12 months.

The time for certification to the International Standard varies according to the defined scope of the ZWMS. It can take approximately two months, once the conformity assessment by the Conformity Assessment Body has been performed.