Companies often define zero waste to landfill in different ways. For us, “zero means zero,” and we have a strict definition. A site must sustain zero waste to landfill for a set period of time before being named as such.
Some companies may claim “zero waste” with an asterisk and a footnote, indicating they may permit small percentages of waste to go to landfill when it could have been diverted otherwise. We don’t.
This also means municipal waste treatment only contributes to achieving zero waste at SC Johnson if that waste is directed for composting or methane conversion. (We do make an exception for biohazard, medical or certain types of hazardous waste, a small fraction of our total global waste, since local legislation may require special disposal of it.)
We are serious about this. For the sake of people and the planet, we will keep working every day to use resources wisely and conserve for the future. It is the least we can do for your children and ours.
* World Bank (2012) What A Waste – A Global Review of Solid Waste Management (Urban Development Series: Knowledge Papers). Chapter 3.