Dive Brief:

• Atlanta-based Rubicon Global has teamed with data company Trucost to give customers more accurate data on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their waste.
• This move is especially targeted toward customers that want more accessible, advanced data for preparing corporate sustainability reports or are pursuing various environmental certifications such as zero waste status.
• Trucost bills itself as "the world’s leading experts in quantifying and valuing the environmental impacts of operations, supply chains, products and financial assets." The company has been in business for more than 12 years and now has offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Dive Insight:

Since it launched in 2008, Rubicon has experienced rapid growth and significant interest from a variety of high-profile funders. The self-described "disruptive startup" has been one of the most heavily covered companies in the waste industry as of recently, and this partnership will likely further expand their appeal to companies interested in sustainable disposal.

"Accessible data is essential for keeping waste out of landfills, yet the waste and recycling industry has never been transparent," said David Rachelson, Rubicon’s director of sustainability, in a press release. "Our robust data analytics platform will now be even more valuable to customers as they set and achieve company-wide sustainability goals through efficient zero-waste and closed loop strategies."

Rubicon is part of a growing field of companies that now offer more options for their customers to have a say in the waste collection process and ensure that recycling is being done properly. New York-based Recycle Track Systems has also grown in recent years with a similar approach, though they say their business is especially focused on the needs of haulers as well as customers. As more cities and companies look to achieve "zero waste" status, the demand for these types of services will likely increase in the coming years.