USGBC Launches TRUE v2 to Advance Zero Waste and Circular Economy Practices
The U.S. Green Building Council has launched TRUE v2, the latest version of its zero waste certification program designed to help organizations improve waste management, reduce environmental impacts, and advance sustainability goals. The updated rating system emphasizes measurable zero waste outcomes, broader international applicability, and stronger connections between resource efficiency, decarbonization, and business performance.
TRUE, which stands for Total Resource Use and Efficiency, provides a framework for organizations seeking to eliminate waste and adopt more sustainable materials management practices. For more than a decade, the program has supported businesses, organizations, and smaller enterprises in developing waste reduction strategies and improving resource recovery.
According to USGBC, the TRUE program has certified more than 680 projects covering a combined 272 million square feet and helped divert approximately 8.9 million tons of waste from landfills. These achievements demonstrate the growing role of structured waste management programs in supporting environmental performance across different industries.
The launch of TRUE v2 builds on this foundation by making the certification process clearer and more accessible while placing greater emphasis on actions that deliver significant environmental benefits.
Updated Certification Framework for Zero Waste
TRUE v2 introduces changes intended to help organizations progress through their zero waste journeys while recognizing businesses that achieve higher levels of performance.
One of the key updates is a rebalanced credit structure. The revised system is designed to support facilities that are beginning to implement zero waste practices while continuing to reward organizations that demonstrate advanced resource efficiency and waste prevention.
The updated rating system also improves global usability through clearer language and approaches that can be applied across different countries and operating environments. This is particularly important for multinational organizations that need consistent sustainability frameworks across facilities with different waste management infrastructure and local regulations.
In addition, TRUE v2 provides greater recognition for higher-impact initiatives and actions that are more difficult to implement. This approach encourages organizations to move beyond basic waste diversion and pursue broader improvements in materials use, waste prevention, and resource recovery.
The revised system is delivered through Arc, a digital sustainability platform developed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). Arc enables organizations to collect, measure, benchmark, and verify sustainability performance, providing a digital foundation for tracking progress toward certification.
USGBC President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Templeton said the updated framework strengthens the connection between zero waste strategies and measurable results. He noted that the system offers clearer pathways for improving performance while helping organizations demonstrate progress, support sustainability objectives, and build long-term business resilience.
Addressing Rising Waste Management Costs
The introduction of TRUE v2 comes as organizations face increasing pressure to manage growing waste volumes, limited landfill capacity, and rising disposal expenses.
Waste management is becoming an important operational consideration for businesses seeking to control costs while meeting environmental commitments. Reducing waste generation and recovering more materials can help organizations use resources more efficiently and limit their dependence on landfill disposal.
The United Nations Environment Programme’s Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 projects that the direct costs of waste management could double by 2050. Separately, the Environmental Research and Education Foundation reported that commercial waste disposal costs in the United States have increased by approximately 15% to 30% since 2016.
These trends highlight the financial as well as environmental importance of improving waste management practices.
By providing a structured framework for measuring performance, TRUE v2 aims to help organizations identify opportunities to reduce material consumption, improve operational processes, and make more informed decisions about resource use.
For businesses operating multiple facilities, a consistent certification framework can also support comparisons between locations and help identify practices that can be replicated across an organization.
DLF Limited Advances Sustainable Real Estate Operations
DLF Limited, a major real estate developer in India, has used TRUE certification to reduce material consumption and improve operational efficiency. The company has the largest portfolio of TRUE-certified projects in India, according to the announcement.
DLF views sustainability as an integral part of the way it designs, operates, and manages its properties. Its approach focuses on treating waste as a resource that can be recovered, reused, or prevented rather than simply discarded.
Senior Executive Director Kumaran WR said the company’s certification journey reflects its ambition to support a circular economy in which resources are recovered continuously and sustainability is incorporated into everyday operations.
The company also emphasizes collaboration among tenants, employees, and business partners to strengthen waste reduction efforts. Such cooperation can help property operators establish consistent practices across buildings and encourage occupants to participate in recycling and resource conservation initiatives.
For the real estate sector, these strategies can support more efficient building operations while helping developers and property managers respond to growing expectations for environmentally responsible facilities.
Colgate-Palmolive Expands Global Zero Waste Efforts
Colgate-Palmolive is another organization using TRUE certification to advance its waste management objectives. The company has 53 TRUE-certified projects across 27 countries and expects the updated version to simplify implementation across additional facilities.
The company anticipates that TRUE v2 will make it easier to onboard new sites, account for differences in local waste management infrastructure, and document progress consistently across international operations.
The revised framework is also expected to help connect zero waste initiatives more directly with operational performance and climate strategies.
Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Colgate-Palmolive, said the company’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy focuses on initiatives that create value and deliver measurable results. She described TRUE as a framework that helps its teams move beyond individual waste reduction projects toward a coordinated global system capable of generating lasting environmental benefits.
The company’s experience illustrates how standardized certification can support businesses seeking to apply sustainability practices consistently across multiple countries and facilities.
Supporting Circularity Across the Built Environment
TRUE v2 was developed with contributions from USGBC members, stakeholders, the TRUE Advisory Council, and zero waste practitioners involved in global public consultation.
The updated program is intended to help organizations establish clearer waste reduction objectives, measure their progress, and identify opportunities to improve resource efficiency.
For the construction and real estate industries, effective waste management can contribute to reduced material consumption, more efficient building operations, and improved recovery of resources. Certification frameworks such as TRUE can provide a structured method for evaluating these efforts and encouraging continuous improvement.
With its revised credit structure, improved international applicability, and stronger focus on measurable outcomes, TRUE v2 aims to expand the adoption of zero waste practices across industries.
The launch reinforces USGBC’s commitment to advancing sustainable business operations and circular materials management while helping organizations connect environmental responsibility with operational efficiency and long-term economic value.
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