As companies consider future office development plans, examining successful case studies on how to design and operate a zero-waste building can provide key insights into best practices.
Chou Hall at UC Berkeley, the first TRUE Zero Waste academic building, exemplifies zero waste innovation through effective collaboration, leading to sustainable practices campus-wide.
As businesses face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, zero-waste office buildings are a key aspect of shaping a sustainable, attractive, and future-focused work environment. They align with broader environmental goals while enhancing employee engagement, brand reputation, and operational efficiency.
These buildings aim to eliminate waste sent to landfills by maximising resource efficiency, recycling, and using renewable materials.
“A net zero waste building is operated to reduce, reuse, recycle, compost or recover solid waste streams thereby resulting in no waste disposal to landfills or incinerators,” according to the Federal Energy Management Program.
The workforce of the future, particularly younger generations, is increasingly conscious of sustainability. Employees are more likely to choose organisations that prioritise environmental responsibility.
A zero-waste office can become a powerful recruitment tool, demonstrating a company’s commitment to social and environmental causes, which resonates with talent seeking purpose-driven work environments.
Zero-waste offices often emphasise the use of non-toxic, sustainable materials that contribute to better indoor air quality and overall healthier environments. Healthier workspaces improve employee well-being, reducing sick days and increasing productivity.
In the future of work, where employee well-being is closely tied to performance, creating such environments is essential for success. As companies consider future office development plans, examining successful case studies can provide key insights into best practices.
Project Director Jessica Heiges shares the details behind Chou Hall at University of California Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
A net-zero building success story
Chou Hall at UC Berkeley Haas School was the first TRUE Zero Waste academic building, certified in 2019. TRUE is a “zero waste certification program that guides facilities, portfolios, events and construction sites to design waste out of their system,” (Byrne, 2023). Today there are over 300 facilities in 28 countries that have received the TRUE certification.
“TRUE projects have diverted over 5.6 million tons from the world’s waste streams,” according to USGBC, 2023.
Cynthia Milota (CM): What is Chou Hall’s story? How did the project come to be and how were you involved?
Jessica Heiges (JH): The Chou Hall zero-waste building initiative was the result of a perfect alignment of forces. The project had buy-in from all necessary stakeholders across campus — leadership, facilities and the student body — who were motivated to support innovative sustainability solutions.
The Haas School of Business wanted to be a “living laboratory” where sustainability solutions could be tested, applied and learned, moving beyond just theory taught in the classroom.
The Haas Dean and COO at the time were also highly supportive of this initiative — and had the initial funds to back it. Chou Hall was newly built, slated to open in October of 2017.
The building was already on track to receive LEED and WELL certification, so Haas aimed for the “trifecta” by also obtaining TRUE certification. Additionally, the primary donor for Chou Hall deeply believed in and advocated for innovation and sustainability.
I started my master’s program in zero waste and circularity in August 2017. A classmate of mine was already involved in the project; and once he learned of my interest in and capacity to support the certification program, he brought me onto the team.
CM: What are the goals of a TRUE certification, and what is the process?
JH: To receive the GBCI TRUE certification, a facility must have 12 consecutive months of a 90%+ diversion-from-landfill (diversion) rate. It is important to note that incineration, including waste-to-energy, is not considered a diversion method.
Facilities also need to demonstrate a documented baseline year of waste diversion data and maintain a contamination rate below 10% for all outgoing waste streams.
The TRUE certification process involves earning credits across 15 categories, including innovation, upstream waste management practices, staff training and reporting.
Unlike other certification programs, TRUE takes a holistic approach, aiming to influence not just on-site waste management, but also upstream and downstream practices within the supply chain. To keep their certification current, facilities must maintain a diversion rate above 90% and submit annual reports.
CM: What are some lessons learned in the certification process and in the on-going operations of Chou Hall?
JH: Since its certification, Chou Hall continues to excel. It remains a shining example of a successful zero waste implementation, serving as a key differentiator between Haas and other sustainability-minded MBA programs. It has become a north star for other buildings on campus and is now expanding to include other buildings in the Haas ecosystem.
Throughout the two years of working toward zero waste at Chou Hall, our team learned a great deal. Some of the most significant learnings and recommendations that resulted from our experience include:
- Early stakeholder engagement: Get key decision-makers on board early. Clearly define their roles in the initiative and keep them informed to generate buy-in throughout the process.
- Comprehensive education: Develop a multi-channel education campaign tailored to your specific audience and deliver it persistently. Effective communication is crucial for success.
- Strong program management: Assemble a passionate and dedicated team to manage the program. Setbacks are inevitable, so a methodical approach and strong stakeholder relationships are essential.
- Funding matters: Verbal support isn’t enough. Secure dedicated, recurring and sufficient funding to support the initiative’s infrastructure and ongoing operations.
- Planning for events: Events often generate far more waste than anticipated, and managing waste during events requires careful planning to navigate competing priorities and resource limitations.
- Waste audits are powerful: Conduct waste audits (also known as waste characterisation studies) to gain valuable insights into the types and volumes of waste generated. This will help you target your efforts and refine your program. Waste audits can also be a great engagement tool: getting community members involved by having them sort trash while wearing hazmat suits!
CM: You mentioned that the success of zero waste facilities is largely due to a partnership between the site facilities team, the owner and the various consultants. Can you elaborate on this partnership and why it’s so crucial?
JH: Facility staff are the backbone of zero waste implementation and maintenance. They implement the infrastructure changes needed to promote zero waste, such as installing compost and recycling bins and dishwashers. Custodial and janitorial staff are essential as they ultimately ensure proper waste sorting, placing waste in the designated bins for collection and preventing contamination.
Building owners play a key role in approving components within a facility as well, such as installing dishwashers, which is vital for reducing waste. Their support is essential for unlocking zero waste initiatives. And lastly, the success of any zero waste program hinges on the cooperation of building occupants. This means properly sorting waste and avoiding unnecessary printing.
CM: How does the familiar camping phrase “pack-in, pack out” apply to zero waste buildings?
JH: The “pack-in, pack-out” mentality is essential for zero waste practices. The core idea is two-fold:
- It is based on an understanding that we should not bring and leave our waste elsewhere, and
- It creates a “nudge of inconvenience.” By making it less convenient to throw away waste, individuals may be less inclined to engage in waste-generating practices.
That said, it is not a solution for every situation, and it is important to recognise accessibility concerns. Not all individuals have equal access to reusable versus single-use consumption items.
Accessibility can vary based on a variety of factors, and there are financial and time constraints to choosing less convenient consumption practices. Physical constraints can be a barrier as well for those with disabilities who may not have the option to choose reusable consumption (e.g. drinking a beverage without a straw).
Yet, ultimately, the “pack-in, pack-out” mentality aims to view all locations like the wilderness and make a conscious effort to monitor and minimise our negative impact. It is one tactic to promote behavioural change toward reducing our current unsustainable rate of waste generation.
“Chou Hall does not have any landfill bins,” according to the Northern California Recycling Association. “You heard it right! Their pack-in, pack-out policy for trash helps students and staff be aware of the waste they generate.”
CM: How has Chou Hall influenced the operation of other buildings on the Berkeley campus? Do you see overall student behaviour changing regarding waste generation?
JH: UC Berkeley has developed its own zero waste program embodying many principles from the TRUE certification, which is being implemented in buildings across campus. Though not certified by TRUE, all new buildings at UC Berkeley are designed to be zero waste.
There is a clear change in student behaviour — they are taking more ownership and pride in the sustainability of their campus. Across campus there are student-generated signs, programs, clubs and policies in support of waste reduction education and infrastructural and programmatic change.
It is powerful and energising. Having that kind of student engagement is not unique, but makes an impact toward achieving such ambitious sustainability goals.
Getting started in your workplace
To help companies get started on a zero waste journey at the office, Dr. Nick Becker provides “18 Zero-Waste Tips to Implement in the Workplace,” (Becker, 2024). Here are some concepts to get started.
For the complete list visit ClimateSort/zero-waste-tips.
More strategic zero-waste strategies include encouraging employee and customer ideas on sustainability, going beyond pilots to create long-term initiatives for zero office waste. Partner with the facilities team, building management and your community to highlight zero waste initiatives.
Chou Hall is a stand-out example of a zero-waste building, holding the TRUE certification and positively influencing zero waste around the entire UC Berkeley campus. Functioning as a zero-waste facility for 6 years, the success of the Chou Hall project in planning and on-going operation is dependent on effective collaboration between the facility staff, building owners, building users and consultants.
Eliminating waste can be accomplished by reducing, reusing, recycling and composting to divert waste from landfills or incinerators.
As companies consider future office development plans, examining successful case studies on how to design and operate a zero-waste building can provide key insights into best practices, as outlined in this AllWork.Space article on zero-waste buildings.
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