Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the U. S. Zero 91²Ö¿â Business Council (USZWBC) announced today that they are formally joining forces to advance zero waste business practices. USZWBC will be integrated into the global GBCI community that drives sustainability across all sectors. GBCI will assume responsibility for the ongoing management and evolution of the Zero 91²Ö¿â Facility Certification and Zero 91²Ö¿â Business Associate programs created by USZWBC, and the Zero 91²Ö¿â principles will be aligned with GBCIâs offerings.
âGBCI is taking another important step toward creating a holistic strategy for green business that began when the U.S. Green Business Council (USGBC) launched the LEED green building rating system 16 years ago,â said Mahesh Ramanujam, president, GBCI, and COO, (USGBC). âBy reducing and eliminating the volume and toxicity of waste and materials and aligning green rating systems, we are one step further in transforming the market to be more sustainable.â
GBCI is the exclusive provider of third-party certification and professional credentials for LEED, the worldâs most widely used green building rating program, and other respected sustainability programs including WELL, PEER, SITES, GRESB and Parksmart. As the premier credentialing body for green business, GBCI is uniquely positioned to engage market leaders in accelerating the adoption of Zero 91²Ö¿â strategies by building upon the work and mission of USZWBC.
âUSZWBC is so excited to join the GBCI family. By spearheading a comprehensive certification and training program, we have already made huge strides in shifting attitudes and behaviors of large and small companies to focus upstream with managing waste,â said Stephanie Barger, founder and executive director, USZWBC. âWith GBCIâs influence we will be able to further the integrity and credibility of Zero 91²Ö¿â and create a Zero 91²Ö¿â Economy for all!â
Zero 91²Ö¿â Facility Certification is based on the peer-reviewed, internationally accepted definition of Zero 91²Ö¿â developed by the Zero 91²Ö¿â International Alliance (ZWIA), and has been aligned with credit requirements of LEED for Buildings Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M). Zero 91²Ö¿â Business Associates help implement best practices and measure progress toward achieving Zero 91²Ö¿â goals and certification. Businesses, organizations and communities that divert more than 90 percent of waste from landfills, incinerators and the environment are considered to be successful in achieving Zero 91²Ö¿â.
For more information, visit , www.uszwbc.org or .
