ZERO WASTE EVENT CERTIFICATION is a certification program offered by Zero Waste Canada, the national affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA). The objective of this program is to guide event organizers towards a Zero Waste level of performance. The program is divided into two core stages:
ON THE ROAD TO ZERO WASTE RECOGNITION
no later than 3 months prior to event start date
ZERO WASTE CERTIFICATION
only after event closing and move out
ON THE ROAD TO ZERO WASTE recognition represents a preliminary step that event organizers are to formally achieve no later than 3 months before the start of the event. Event organizers are to follow and meet the recognition criteria for ON THE ROAD TO ZERO WASTE outlined by Zero Waste Canada. The purpose of these criteria is to grant events the best possible opportunity of achieving a level of performance that Zero Waste Canada may formally recognize as Zero Waste on the day/s of the event itself.
This timeframe also allows event organizers to officially promote their event as an ON THE ROAD TO ZERO WASTE event in the months prior to the event start date.
ZERO WASTE CERTIFICATION represents the second and final step, certifying that the event has achieved a level of performance that may be formally recognized as Zero Waste by Zero Waste Canada, the national affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA). Event organizers are to ensure the certification criteria for ZERO WASTE CERTIFICATION outlined by Zero Waste Canada are understood and executed throughout the course of the event. ZERO WASTE CERTIFICATION status may be formally granted to events after the event has taken place, and Zero Waste Canada has verified that each certification criteria has been met via the presence of an on-site verifier.
For annual or recurring events, the most recent event’s performance may be included as part of the event’s promotional activities for its upcoming event.
While the owner of the event would the applicant, the criteria is aimed at activities under the scope of the event organizer. The event organizer will be recognized on the certificate of recognition or certification.
The Zero Waste Events Certification is currently in the pilot stage. To inquire about how to register your project for a pilot, or receive a notification of full program launch, please fill out the form below:
(All organizations going through a pilot stage will receive a certificate of contribution towards the development of the certification.)
(please specify what you’re registering for in the label titled: Question(s))