SSC’s Waste Diversion Virtual Training in Partnership with U.S. Department of Energy Helps Manufacturers Turn Waste into Profit
Executive summary
Sustainable Solutions Corporation (SSC) partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program to deliver an 8-part Waste Diversion Virtual Training designed to help manufacturers reduce waste while improving operational efficiency and profitability. The program combined expert-led instruction with practical, hands-on tools that enabled participants to immediately apply waste reduction strategies at their facilities. With 196 registrants from 105 companies, 95% of participants gave the training a top rating (excellent or great), demonstrating strong engagement and measurable value across a diverse manufacturing audience spanning multiple industries and geographies.
Key Findings
High Engagement and Satisfaction:
95% of participants rated the training as “Excellent” or “Great,” reflecting strong relevance and valueScalable Reach Across Industry:
196 participants from 105 companies engaged in the program, representing manufacturers across 19 countries and 38 U.S. statesPractical, Action-Oriented Learning:
Participants consistently highlighted real-world examples, site-specific application, and the interactive exercises as the most valuable aspects of the training.Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient Delivery:
The virtual format eliminated travel costs and minimized disruption, allowing participants to focus on implementation.Peer Learning as a Force Multiplier:
Cross-industry discussions enabled participants to share challenges, solutions, and inspiration for waste diversion efforts.
Results
95% participant satisfaction rating (“Excellent” or “Great”)
196 registrants from 105 companies participated
Participants learned how to effectively track waste, reduce it at the source, and identify outlets for hard-to-manage waste streams, and develop responsible sourcing strategies to reduce Scope 3 emissions
Participants used SSC templates and tools to develop a clear Zero Waste Roadmap built for scalability across sites
Strong participant feedback emphasizing immediate applicability, expert instruction, and peer collaboration
What Participants are Saying
“The training started with the fundamentals and connected every concept to real-world situations, providing clear, actionable examples. It made the material not just understandable, but immediately applicable to our daily operations.”
Cathryn, Aerospace Service Company
“Each class was thoughtfully planned with clear, informative slides that kept the sessions engaging and fast-paced. The presenter’s expertise and delivery ensured sessions held attention throughout, making the training both efficient and impactful.”
Jared, Automobile Manufacturing Company
“I have to admit that the savings in getting the virtual training cannot be denied. Avoiding travel minimized disruption to my work schedule, and I was able to focus on the training and learn as much as possible. The workbook helped me think about how I can apply the concepts to our site.”
Leslie, Chemical Manufacturing Company
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Manufacturers face increasing pressure to reduce waste, control costs, and improve sustainability performance often with limited internal resources and time for in-person training. To address this need, SSC collaborated with the DOE Better Plants Program to create a scalable, virtual training solution focused on manufacturing waste reduction and zero waste to landfill strategies. The goal was to equip participants with actionable knowledge, tools, and peer insights that could be implemented directly at their sites without disrupting daily operations.
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SSC delivered a comprehensive 8-part virtual training series, consisting of weekly 2.5-hour live sessions led by an SSC sustainability expert. The curriculum combined foundational waste reduction concepts with applied exercises, supported by fillable templates and step-by-step tools that guided participants in building their own Zero Waste Roadmaps. Interactive elements, including live polls, guided exercises, quizzes, Q&A sessions, and peer discussions, reinforced learning and encouraged real-world application. Pre- and post-training surveys were used to measure baseline knowledge, progress, and program impact, while ongoing access to SSC experts ensured continued support throughout the training.
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A live, virtual training led by Sustainable Solutions Corporation (SSC) sustainability experts that equips teams to identify waste reduction opportunities, quantify potential savings, and implement high-impact projects that deliver measurable cost savings. Learn more
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Week 1: Waste Diversion & Reduction 101
Week 2: How to Effectively Track & Measure Your Waste
Week 3: Source Reduction & Waste Minimization Techniques
Week 4: Finding Outlets for Hard to Manage Waste Streams
Week 5: Construction Waste Management & Green Building Certifications
Week 6: Scope 3 Emission Considerations - Responsible Sourcing, Procurement, & Waste Generated in Operations
Week 7: Implementation of a Waste Diversion Program - Developing a Roadmap to Zero Waste
Week 8: Conclusions, Summaries, & Wrap Up Presentations.
This training series is fully customizable. We help you choose any combination of the session topics above to build a program that fits your team’s goals—so you’re only spending time on what’s most relevant to your operations.
