The Embassy of Canada in The Hague is making history: as the first embassy worldwide and the first Government of Canada office, it has achieved the Zero Waste Platinum certification under TRUE. In doing so, the embassy not only aligns with Canada’s zero-waste policy, but also contributes to the Dutch ambition to be fully circular by 2050.

TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) is an internationally recognised certification programme that rewards organisations for their efforts to measure, reduce, and ultimately eliminate waste. The Platinum level is the highest distinction within the programme and represents a truly transformative achievement in the field of zero waste.

Paulina Pisarek, Sustainable Buildings Advisor, and Julie Normand, Counsellor (Management) and Consul, share their journey towards zero waste.

Concrete steps towards zero waste

The first zero waste audit done by Renewi Ecosmart, conducted in autumn 2023, included turning out the general waste bin to analyse which materials were still recyclable. This audit revealed that no less than 90.4% of waste streams could be recycled or avoided. The audit provided concrete recommendations to further reduce and better separate waste.

After the implementation of additional zero waste measures, the embassy increased its diversion to an impressive 95.5%. Reducing and better separating waste not only leads to lower costs, but also to reduced CO₂ emissions.

“The road to TRUE Platinum required both discipline and creativity,” says Julie Normand. “We removed waste bins from desks and introduced centralised sorting stations. We rewrote our procurement policy according to the principles of rethink, reduce, reuse, and trained staff in sustainable purchasing. The key was working in small, achievable steps.”

More than a certificate: a cultural change

“We are grateful to Renewi for the services they provided to support this milestone certification – from an initial zero waste audit, to the provision of new centralized sorting stations, to waste sorting training for our team,” says Paulina Pisarek. “These were critical to changing habits, mindsets, and daily choices that allowed a new zero waste culture to gradually emerge.”

An example for others

The Embassy of Canada in The Hague demonstrates that waste reduction is achievable, even in a dynamic context.