Underwriters Laboratories Developing New Waste Minimization Standard

Underwriters Laboratories recently announced that it is in the process of developing a new standard, UL 2799, Standard for Sustainability for Waste Minimization Reporting and Assessment of Zero Waste Operations. The standard will provide a framework for the evaluation of facilities, companies, or municipalities relative to their waste minimization achievements, such as sending little to no waste to landfills or finding ways to beneficially reuse waste materials. UL 2799 will address the impact of all materials entering and leaving a facility or organization, with the exception of finished goods, wastewater, and other materials that are legally required to be disposed of in a landfill, such as asbestos and lead paint. The standard will also set forth a process for validating "Landfill Diversion Rate" calculations and claims, including "Zero Waste to Landfill" claims, for individual facilities.

Underwriters Laboratories is currently accepting comments on the draft standard, and the comment period will close on April 2, 2013. The standard is expected to be finalized later this year.