Zero Waste Usa

What Zero Waste Usa does

Zero Waste USA is a US-based nonprofit organization and the national affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA), operating from San Francisco with primarily virtual delivery. The organization provides Zero Waste education, planning tools, and certification programs to communities, businesses, institutions, and individuals seeking to implement Zero Waste practices. Its core product portfolio consists of a tiered educational curriculum ranging from an introductory four-hour class to the Zero Waste Associates certification course, supplemented by specialized offerings such as the Advanced Zero Waste Planning course and the Zero Waste for Businesses and Institutions class. The organization also runs the annual National Zero Waste Conference, the Zero Waste Youth program across multiple US regions, and the COOLNow webinar series on organics diversion and composting.

The business model is built on transaction-based revenue from course registrations, tiered conference pricing, affiliate membership fees, and donations, with no disclosed funding rounds or external capital. Distribution is overwhelmingly virtual via Zoom and the Humanitix event platform, with occasional in-person training delivered through partner-hosted events such as the Zero Waste Forum in San Francisco. The customer base is horizontally segmented across municipalities, businesses, institutions, professionals, and youth, with no enterprise anchor accounts disclosed. ZWIA affiliation provides access to internationally peer-reviewed Zero Waste definitions and certification standards, serving as a key legitimacy and standardization lever for the organization's programs.

Name

Zero Waste Usa

Legal name

Zero Waste USA

Website

https://zwusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zero Waste USA is a US nonprofit and ZWIA national affiliate delivering Zero Waste education, planning tools, and certification to communities, businesses, institutions, professionals, and youth via virtual courses and an annual conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education & Certification

NAICS

Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (56), All Other Waste Management Services (56299)

SIC

Hazardous Waste Management (4955), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Waste Management & Hazardous Waste Compliance (RCRA, Universal Waste, Waste Characterization/Manifests) (EUAHABAC), Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration (BPAIACAH)

Keywords

• Zero waste education
• Sustainability certification
• Waste management training
• Environmental certification programs
• Composting education

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Educational Course Fees: Revenue generated from registration fees for educational courses including Introduction to Zero Waste, Zero Waste for Businesses and Institutions, Advanced Zero Waste Planning, and Zero Waste Associates certification courses. Pricing varies by course and includes early bird and affiliate discounts.
2. Conference Registration: Annual National Zero Waste Conference generates revenue through tiered registration fees including Early Bird ($150), General Admission ($200), Affiliate ($100), and Student ($50) pricing tiers.
3. Affiliate Membership: Organizations can become Zero Waste USA Affiliates, with discounted pricing on courses and access to member resources. The organization holds three networking events per year for affiliates and students.
4. Donations: Zero Waste USA accepts donations to support its mission of inspiring communities to embrace and achieve Zero Waste.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zero Waste USA is a nonprofit organization that delivers zero-waste education, certification, and planning tools to communities, businesses, and institutions. Its core offerings include a tiered educational curriculum (Introduction to Zero Waste, Zero Waste for Businesses and Institutions, Advanced Zero Waste Planning, and the Zero Waste Associates certification course), the annual National Zero Waste Conference, a Zero Waste Youth program, the COOLNow composting/organics diversion webinar series, and recognition/certification programs for organizations pursuing Zero Waste goals.

Product overview

Zero Waste USA is a nonprofit organization and Zero Waste International Alliance national affiliate offering educational programs and resources focused on Zero Waste principles. The organization's product portfolio centers on education and certification services, including introductory and advanced Zero Waste planning courses (Introduction to Zero Waste Class, Zero Waste Associate Course, Advanced Zero Waste Planning), specialized business/institution training, and the annual National Zero Waste Conference. Additional offerings include the Zero Waste Youth program for youth engagement and the COOLNow webinar series addressing organics diversion. The organization also provides recognition and certification programs for communities, businesses, and institutions demonstrating Zero Waste leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zero Waste Youth: A youth-focused program for high school students, college students, and young professionals interested in zero waste initiatives, with chapters in multiple US locations and international connections.
• COOLNow

Products and services

• Zero Waste USA Education Programs Comprehensive educational offerings including introductory and advanced courses teaching Zero Waste principles, planning techniques, and certification preparation for businesses, institutions, and communities.
• Zero Waste Youth Youth engagement program for high school students, college students, and young professionals featuring annual convergences, community events, documentary screenings, beach clean-ups, and career pathway development into the Zero Waste industry.
• Recognition and Certification Programs Certification and recognition services for communities, businesses, and institutions demonstrating leadership in achieving Zero Waste goals.
• National Zero Waste Conference Annual two-day virtual educational and networking event focusing on Zero Waste for Businesses & Institutions and Zero Waste Communities, organized by Zero Waste USA and partners.
• Zero Waste Associate Course Comprehensive course teaching participants how to use Zero Waste USA toolkits for Zero Waste planning for businesses, institutions, or communities, resulting in Zero Waste Associate certification upon passing the exam with 80%+ score.
• Zero Waste for Businesses and Institutions Class Four-hour interactive online class teaching participants what Zero Waste is and how to develop Zero Waste plans for businesses and institutions, including the nine points of generation and case studies.
• Advanced Zero Waste Planning Course In-depth instruction on advanced Zero Waste planning tools including Diversion Potential and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Analysis and Cost Estimate Tool, with Excel skills required.
• Introduction to Zero Waste Class Four-hour introductory class teaching Zero Waste principles, the Zero Waste International Alliance's Zero Waste Hierarchy, and planning techniques for businesses, institutions, and communities.
• COOLNow Webinar Series Compostable Organics Out of Landfills NOW program featuring webinars and virtual meetings on organics diversion strategies, community composting case studies, and food waste reduction.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants receive Certificate of Completion from Zero Waste USA after completing educational courses
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero Waste USA is the national affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance. ZWIA provides the internationally peer-reviewed definition of Zero Waste used by the organization. This partnership provides legitimacy and standardization for Zero Waste USA's programs and certification processes.
• COOLNowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOOLNow (Compostable Organics Out of Landfills NOW) is a program of Zero Waste USA focused on organics diversion and composting. The program hosts webinars and virtual meetings on composting and organics management topics.
• Break Free From Plastic (BFFP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero Waste Youth is a member of the Break Free From Plastic movement and participates in BFFP Youth Working Group calls. This provides youth chapter members with additional networking and advocacy opportunities.
• Race to Zero WasteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Zero Waste Forum in San Francisco where Zero Waste USA teaches Introduction to Zero Waste classes. Zero Waste USA board members and staff teach on Day One of the forum.
• Futures Without ViolenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the Zero Waste Forum in San Francisco where Zero Waste USA delivers educational programming.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sustainable Brands: A community and event-driven platform focused on sustainability education, networking, and corporate engagement. Comparable through its annual conferences and educational programming targeting sustainability professionals.
• Race to Zero Waste: An existing partner of Zero Waste USA hosting the Zero Waste Forum and training events in San Francisco. A directly comparable regional zero waste education and event organizer.
• Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA): The international parent alliance that Zero Waste USA is a national affiliate of. ZWIA sets the peer-reviewed definitions and standards that ZW USA teaches and certifies against, making them the closest definitional and operational peer.
• TRUE Zero Waste (USGBC): US Green Building Council's TRUE Zero Waste certification program for businesses and facilities pursuing zero waste goals. Directly comparable as a paid zero waste certification and education program targeting businesses and institutions.
• Reuse Alliance: A nonprofit focused on reuse and zero waste advocacy with education, network-building, and community engagement. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit education and advocacy organization in the zero waste space.

Broad incumbents

• International Solid Waste Association (ISWA): A global professional association for the waste management industry, providing education, working groups, and conferences for waste management professionals — closely comparable to Zero Waste USA's professional community-building role.
• US Composting Council: A larger, established nonprofit promoting composting and organics diversion through education, events, and certifications. Overlaps with Zero Waste USA's COOLNow organics-focused programming and broader education mission.
• Green America: A larger sustainability-focused nonprofit running education programs, certification initiatives (Green Business certifications), and advocacy campaigns targeting consumers, businesses, and communities.
• The Recycling Partnership: A national nonprofit focused on improving recycling and reducing waste through funding, education, and community programs. Comparable mission overlap with Zero Waste USA's community-focused zero waste work.
• Closed Loop Partners: An investment firm and innovation center focused on the circular economy with education, convening, and capital deployment. Comparable through its ecosystem-building and circular economy thought leadership, though operating with capital rather than nonprofit education model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ZeroWasteUSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/zerowasteusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zerowasteusa
• Instagraminstagram.com/zero_waste_usa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zero Waste Usa