How to Track Reuse and All Types of Diversion in a Zero Waste Program

If you’re serious about zero waste, you need more than recycling reports.

You need a system that tracks all types of diversion especially reuse.

Under TRUE Zero Waste Certification, diversion includes more than what

is hauled away. It includes upstream programs that prevent waste from

being generated.

Here’s how to properly track a comprehensive diversion strategy.

1. Track Waste Tonnage

This is the baseline:

• Hauler reports

• Weight tickets

• Monthly tonnage summaries

• Contamination data

TIP: If you are manually tracking this data, the free Weight to Waste app availlable on the Apple app store allows tracking without manual weighing.

2. Track Reuse Programs Separately

Many programs do not include reuse in hauling data.

You must intentionally document:

• Furniture redistribution

• Equipment reuse

• Internal supply swaps

• Surplus donation

• Food recovery volumes

• Durable container systems

• Repair programs

Tracking reuse requires:

• Program documentation

• Estimated or measured weights

• Participation records

• Audit-ready documentation

When tracked correctly, reuse contributes to overall diversion percentages

and strengthens TRUE-aligned strategies.

3. Track Food Recovery for Compliance

In states like California, SB 1383 requires:

• Edible food recovery tracking

• Donor agreements

• Recovery volumes

• Documentation retention

Food rescue is diversion AND it is compliance.

If you’re not tracking it, you are exposed to regulatory risk.

4. Centralize Documentation

A robust diversion tracking system should allow you to:

• Upload invoices

• Store hauler contracts

• Maintain donation logs

• Calculate diversion percentages automatically

• Generate reports for audits

• Document program descriptions

This is essential for:

• TRUE certification

• State compliance

• ESG reporting

• Board-level reporting

• Public transparency

5. Calculate Diversion Holistically

Diversion rate is typically calculated as:

(Total Materials Diverted ÷ Total Materials Generated) × 100

But if reuse is excluded, your diversion rate is artificially low.

Comprehensive tracking creates:

• More accurate diversion percentages

• Stronger sustainability reporting

• Better decision-making

• Clearer impact storytelling

Why Eco Waste Tracker Was Built This Way

Eco Waste Tracker was designed to track ANY and ALL programs, as many

or as few as you have. All in one centralized system.

Because zero waste is not just about waste management.

It is about redesigning material flows and proving progress.

And what gets measured gets improved.