At Mountain Rose Herbs we work hard every year to maintain the TRUE Zero Waste Certification. Our goal is to reduce our environmental footprint and be leaders in responsible business practices. TRUE stands for Total Resource Use and Efficiency. The program is designed to rate how well a facility performs in maximizing efficient use of resources and reducing material being sent to landfill or incineration (Waste to Energy).
TRUE Zero Waste Certification is an internationally recognized program developed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). It sets rigorous standards for diverting waste from landfills and incineration. It measures a company’s efforts to minimize waste generation through its sustainable practices. TRUE’s goal is to encourage businesses to not just recycle but to actively reduce, reuse, and repurpose materials as much as possible.
To achieve TRUE certification, a company must divert at least 90% of its non-hazardous waste from the landfill, and meet additional criteria related to waste reduction practices, resource recovery, and transparency. But more importantly, TRUE is about shifting our entire approach to waste management. It is about thinking beyond just recycling and moving towards a system where everything we produce, consume, and dispose of has a purpose and a second life.
At Mountain Rose Herbs, we believe in doing business with a deep respect for the environment and our precious resources. With a strong focus on sustainability, achieving TRUE Zero Waste Certification allows us to show our commitment to not only improving our operational practices but also making a positive impact on the world we share.
We know that in today’s world, waste has far-reaching consequences. From overflowing landfills to greenhouse gas emissions, the environmental impact of waste is undeniable. By reducing our created waste, and increasing our recycling and reuse efforts, we are helping to lessen the burden on landfills and the environment.
TRUE certification ensures that our efforts are not just marketing claims. It shows they are verified and quantified through a rigorous process, that we are held to the highest standards and taking measurable actions to make a difference. As consumers and businesses become increasingly aware of environmental issues, this certification sends a powerful message that we are all capable of making positive changes.
Achieving TRUE certification requires careful planning, collaboration, and dedication from every member of our team. It meant assessing our entire operation and identifying areas where we could improve. From our offices and warehouses to our production processes, we’ve taken a comprehensive approach to waste reduction. Here’s a look at some of the steps we’ve taken to earn our TRUE Zero Waste Certification.
Reducing Waste at the Source: One of the most important aspects of our journey was to reduce waste before it was even created. This meant carefully assessing the materials we use in our packaging, shipping, and production processes, and seeking alternatives that generate less waste or are more easily recyclable. For example, we’ve transitioned to using compostable or post-consumer materials for many of our packaging needs and reduced our reliance on non-biodegradable single-use material.
Composting and Recycling: By expanding our composting program and recycling efforts, we’ve diverted significant amounts of organic and non-organic waste from landfills. This includes everything from food waste to paper and cardboard packaging. Through consistent and careful sorting, we are now able to recycle or compost nearly all the waste produced at our facilities.
Upcycling and Reusing: In addition to reducing and recycling, we’ve embraced the practice of upcycling. This is the process of giving new life to materials that would otherwise be discarded. For example, we’ve repurposed old containers and packaging materials for internal use, such as reusing packing peanuts and Styrofoam that we get in received products.
Educating and Engaging Our Team: Achieving zero waste is a team effort. We try to empower our employees to take part in the sustainability conversation and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to contribute to our goals. Everyone from our warehouse staff to our executive team is involved in creating a culture of waste reduction and sustainability.
Working with Like-Minded Partners: As part of our certification process, we’ve worked with waste management partners who align with our sustainability goals. By collaborating with local organizations that share our commitment to zero waste, we’ve ensured that we are not only reducing waste internally but also supporting responsible waste management practices in the community.
The Road Ahead
While we are incredibly proud to have achieved TRUE Zero Waste Certification, we know this is just the beginning. Sustainability is an ongoing process, and we are committed to continuously assessing and improving our practices. We will continue to strive for greater reductions in waste, energy use, and emissions as we work toward a future where all businesses, including our own, contribute to the health of the planet.
In addition to our zero waste efforts, we will continue to support our mission of providing organic products that are sustainably sourced, fair trade certified, and packaged with care for both people and the environment. Our TRUE certification is just one part of our sustainability initiative, and we will remain transparent with our customers about the steps we are taking and the progress we are making.
We believe that when businesses embrace sustainability and work together toward common goals, we can make a real difference. Our TRUE Zero Waste Certification is a step forward in our collective journey to create a healthier, more sustainable world.
You may also be interested in:
Topics: Inside Mountain Rose Herbs, Sustainability
Joseph Schneiderhan is the Sustainability Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs. He grew up in southern Texas spending much of his childhood on ranches and farms where agriculture and livestock were a cornerstone in his upbringing. At 18 he got his first start in farming by helping to establish a 10-acre hydroponic farm that grew lettuce, basil, and microgreens for local restaurants and grocery stores. He moved to Eugene Oregon in 2007 where he managed a garden store and began to gain an appreciation for organic and sustainable farming practices. He studied agricultural science at OSU with a focus on sustainability and permaculture, and in his off time, you’ll find him in the forest foraging for mushrooms and wild herbs, or in the ocean surfing with his family.
At Mountain Rose Herbs we work hard every year to maintain the TRUE Zero Waste Certification. Our goal is to reduce our environmental footprint and be leaders in responsible business practices. TRUE stands for Total Resource Use and Efficiency. The program is designed to rate how well a facility performs in maximizing efficient use of resources and reducing material being sent to landfill or incineration (Waste to Energy).
TRUE Zero Waste Certification is an internationally recognized program developed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). It sets rigorous standards for diverting waste from landfills and incineration. It measures a company’s efforts to minimize waste generation through its sustainable practices. TRUE’s goal is to encourage businesses to not just recycle but to actively reduce, reuse, and repurpose materials as much as possible.
To achieve TRUE certification, a company must divert at least 90% of its non-hazardous waste from the landfill, and meet additional criteria related to waste reduction practices, resource recovery, and transparency. But more importantly, TRUE is about shifting our entire approach to waste management. It is about thinking beyond just recycling and moving towards a system where everything we produce, consume, and dispose of has a purpose and a second life.
At Mountain Rose Herbs, we believe in doing business with a deep respect for the environment and our precious resources. With a strong focus on sustainability, achieving TRUE Zero Waste Certification allows us to show our commitment to not only improving our operational practices but also making a positive impact on the world we share.
We know that in today’s world, waste has far-reaching consequences. From overflowing landfills to greenhouse gas emissions, the environmental impact of waste is undeniable. By reducing our created waste, and increasing our recycling and reuse efforts, we are helping to lessen the burden on landfills and the environment.
TRUE certification ensures that our efforts are not just marketing claims. It shows they are verified and quantified through a rigorous process, that we are held to the highest standards and taking measurable actions to make a difference. As consumers and businesses become increasingly aware of environmental issues, this certification sends a powerful message that we are all capable of making positive changes.
Achieving TRUE certification requires careful planning, collaboration, and dedication from every member of our team. It meant assessing our entire operation and identifying areas where we could improve. From our offices and warehouses to our production processes, we’ve taken a comprehensive approach to waste reduction. Here’s a look at some of the steps we’ve taken to earn our TRUE Zero Waste Certification.
Reducing Waste at the Source: One of the most important aspects of our journey was to reduce waste before it was even created. This meant carefully assessing the materials we use in our packaging, shipping, and production processes, and seeking alternatives that generate less waste or are more easily recyclable. For example, we’ve transitioned to using compostable or post-consumer materials for many of our packaging needs and reduced our reliance on non-biodegradable single-use material.
Composting and Recycling: By expanding our composting program and recycling efforts, we’ve diverted significant amounts of organic and non-organic waste from landfills. This includes everything from food waste to paper and cardboard packaging. Through consistent and careful sorting, we are now able to recycle or compost nearly all the waste produced at our facilities.
Upcycling and Reusing: In addition to reducing and recycling, we’ve embraced the practice of upcycling. This is the process of giving new life to materials that would otherwise be discarded. For example, we’ve repurposed old containers and packaging materials for internal use, such as reusing packing peanuts and Styrofoam that we get in received products.
Educating and Engaging Our Team: Achieving zero waste is a team effort. We try to empower our employees to take part in the sustainability conversation and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to contribute to our goals. Everyone from our warehouse staff to our executive team is involved in creating a culture of waste reduction and sustainability.
Working with Like-Minded Partners: As part of our certification process, we’ve worked with waste management partners who align with our sustainability goals. By collaborating with local organizations that share our commitment to zero waste, we’ve ensured that we are not only reducing waste internally but also supporting responsible waste management practices in the community.
The Road Ahead
While we are incredibly proud to have achieved TRUE Zero Waste Certification, we know this is just the beginning. Sustainability is an ongoing process, and we are committed to continuously assessing and improving our practices. We will continue to strive for greater reductions in waste, energy use, and emissions as we work toward a future where all businesses, including our own, contribute to the health of the planet.
In addition to our zero waste efforts, we will continue to support our mission of providing organic products that are sustainably sourced, fair trade certified, and packaged with care for both people and the environment. Our TRUE certification is just one part of our sustainability initiative, and we will remain transparent with our customers about the steps we are taking and the progress we are making.
We believe that when businesses embrace sustainability and work together toward common goals, we can make a real difference. Our TRUE Zero Waste Certification is a step forward in our collective journey to create a healthier, more sustainable world.
You may also be interested in:
Topics: Inside Mountain Rose Herbs, Sustainability
Joseph Schneiderhan is the Sustainability Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs. He grew up in southern Texas spending much of his childhood on ranches and farms where agriculture and livestock were a cornerstone in his upbringing. At 18 he got his first start in farming by helping to establish a 10-acre hydroponic farm that grew lettuce, basil, and microgreens for local restaurants and grocery stores. He moved to Eugene Oregon in 2007 where he managed a garden store and began to gain an appreciation for organic and sustainable farming practices. He studied agricultural science at OSU with a focus on sustainability and permaculture, and in his off time, you’ll find him in the forest foraging for mushrooms and wild herbs, or in the ocean surfing with his family.
