FAQ

FAQs

Below are common questions and answers about SES capabilities, zero waste processing, sustainability reporting, and more. If there are additional questions you would like answered, we are happy to talk anytime.

About Zero Waste to Landfill

SES Processes & Capabilities

Zero Waste Reporting

What is Zero Waste to Landfill?

Zero waste to landfill means diverting 100% of your waste away from landfills through processing methods such as conversion to alternative fuels, organics composting, or recycling methods. Instead of taking waste to landfill, it is transformed into a new resource with a new purpose. Not all recycling methods achieve true zero waste, many leave behind a residual byproduct that still requires landfilling. True zero waste means 100% of the material is reutilized with nothing sent to landfill.

What are Alternative Engineered Fuels (AEFs)

Alternative engineered fuels (AEFs) are processed waste materials used as fuel in industrial facilities such as cement kilns, boilers, power plants, and other heavy industrial operations. They replace traditional fossil fuels like coal, reducing both landfill waste and carbon emissions. AEFs are ideal for heterogeneous waste that can't be easily sorted for traditional recycling, such as mixed manufacturing waste, packaging with multiple materials, and contaminated waste streams.

What is Waste to Energy (WtE)

Waste to energy (WtE) is the process of incinerating waste at high temperatures to generate electricity or heat. While WtE reduces the volume of waste going to landfills, it is not considered a true zero waste to landfill application. WtE facilities produce bottom ash and fly ash residues that typically represents 20-30% of the original waste volume. If ash residues are beneficially reused, rather than landfilled, then WtE can be part of a true zero waste to landfill program.

What is food waste depackaging?

Food waste depackaging is the process of separating organic food waste from its packaging (plastic wrapping, cardboard boxes, containers). This allows the organic material to be composted or converted to biofuel while the packaging is recycled or processed as alternative fuels - a true zero waste solution! Food waste depackaging is particularly useful for recalled food and beverages, product overruns, expired foods, and off-spec products that cannot be sold.

What are the benefits of landfill diversion?

‍ESG & Compliance: Many customers, stakeholders, and logistics partners are increasingly requiring landfill diversion as a condition of doing business. Good landfill diversion tactics help companies meet corporate sustainability goals and ESG requirements.

‍Cost Management: Landfill diversion combats rising landfill costs and shrinking disposal capacity in many regions. Today, ZWTL solutions are often cost-competitive with traditional disposal while providing long-term cost stability.

‍Risk Reduction: Landfill diversion can eliminate long-term environmental liabilities associated with landfilling. Once waste leaves your facility for a landfill, you retain potential liability for decades.

‍Brand & Reputation: Landfill diversion can strengthen brand equity and competitive positioning with documented zero waste achievements that resonate with customers, investors, and employees.

‍Regulatory Preparedness: Stay ahead of increasingly stringent waste regulations and potential landfill restrictions in your operating regions.

What industries benefit most from going zero waste?

Industrial manufacturers and heavy industry operations, including automotive, aerospace, metal fabrication, electronics, chemical production, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, benefit significantly from ZWTL programs due to high volumes of mixed waste, packaging materials, and industrial byproducts. Food and beverage manufacturers, consumer packaged goods companies, and food processors also benefit from ZWTL programs, particularly those dealing with product overruns, expired inventory, off-spec products, and organic waste streams. Any industry generating substantial waste volumes or facing ESG requirements from customers and stakeholders can achieve cost savings and sustainability goals through landfill diversion.

What types of waste does SES accept?

SES accepts all non-hazardous waste streams from companies requiring landfill diversion. This includes industrial manufacturers, food and beverage producers, technology companies, logistics & supply chain companies, and other operations generating waste such as food waste (packaged and unpackaged), industrial manufacturing byproducts, packaging materials (cardboard, plastics, mixed packaging), off-spec products, recalled items, and product overruns.

What end products does SES created from waste streams?

When waste arrives at an SES facility, it becomes a Non-Hazardous Secondary Material (NHSM), a new resource with a new purpose. These materials are 100% reutilized through multiple pathways: alternative fuels for cement kilns, boilers, and industrial facilities; recycled commodities; nutrient-rich compost and soil amendments; and other beneficial reuse applications. Nothing goes to landfill.

Do we need to sort or pre-process materials before sending to SES?

No. SES accepts waste streams as-is and handles all processing at our facilities to achieve beneficial reuse. Whether you have mixed loads, contaminated materials, or non-uniform waste, we process everything to divert 100% from landfill. For customers with uniform waste streams, such as consistent packaging materials, we do offer targeted recycling programs to maximize material recovery value.

Do you offer nationwide service?

Yes. SES provides nationwide service through our six facilities and extensive network of logistics partners. We serve clients across the United States with pickups customized to your waste generation volume and operational needs. Whether you require daily, weekly, or on-call service, our nationwide network ensures we can accept and divert your waste streams to achieve landfill diversion goals regardless of your location.

What documentation does SES provide to report landfill diversion?

SES provides comprehensive documentation to support your ESG and sustainability reporting requirements, including certificates of diversion and certificates of destuction. Our TRUE-certified Zero Waste to Landfill Advisors can help customize reporting to meet your specific requirements, whether for corporate sustainability reports, investor disclosures, or customer ESG audits.

Does landfill diversion reduce carbon emissions?

Yes. Diverting waste from landfill can significantly reduce carbon emissions in multiple ways. When organic waste decomposes in landfills, it generates methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. By diverting food waste from landfills, you eliminate these methane emissions. Additionally, when your waste is converted to alternative fuels that replace coal and other fossil fuels in industrial facilities, you further reduce carbon emissions by displacing fossil fuel consumption.

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