The Zero Waste Standard as a pillar of efficiency in mass transit

Waste management in sectors of high operational complexity, such as passenger transport, has stopped being an environmental compliance exercise and become a metric of strategic efficiency. At the recent International Zero Waste Recognitions, held online on 9 December, the case of Blanco y Negro Masivo stood out as a benchmark for that shift.

Sandra Pinzón, CEO of Global Zero Waste, pointed out how implementing the Zero Waste Management System (SGZW) has allowed this organisation to mitigate operational risks and consolidate sustainable leadership in the region.

From certification to consolidation

Blanco y Negro Masivo's journey began in 2022, when it became the first ground transport company in the world to obtain SGZW certification in the Gold category. Today the organisation reaches a new milestone by being recognised as a Platinum Affiliate, the highest level of the programme.

That step up rests on rigorous technical indicators:

• General recycling indicator: 99.4%
• Real recovery indicator: 99.51%

From a technical standpoint, David Pinto, Project Engineer at Global Zero Waste, notes:

“The case of Blanco y Negro Masivo has a robust base and senior management that demonstrates leadership and a solid path towards a successful certification process under version 5 of the International Standard. To reach excellence and ensure the system's sustainability, however, it needs to move from generalist management to detailed technical measurement, focusing on the precise quantification of reduction and on the practical implementation of the circular economy (9R). The current partial compliances are "quick wins" which, if addressed soon, will significantly raise the efficiency of the system over time.”

Leadership and human commitment: the key to success

This recognition as a Platinum Affiliate is the result of an organisational culture turned towards sustainability. Under the vision of its General Manager, Eduardo Bellini Ayala, the company has managed to spread these values through every level of the operation.

We would like to extend special congratulations to the sustainability team that has led this technical and strategic shift:

• Alejandro Ramírez, Director of Integral Management.
• Windy M. Rodríguez Bermúdez and Carolina Sandoval, who have actively strengthened the implementation of the SGZW standard.

This achievement also belongs to every member of staff who, through their daily work, ensures that the circular economy is a living practice within the organisation.

Watch the International Recognitions again

If you could not join us for the live broadcast, we invite you to watch the highlights:👉

Training with purpose: next steps for 2026

Inspired by success stories such as Blanco y Negro Masivo, at Global Zero Waste we are starting 2026 by strengthening the professional training of new environmental leaders.

If you want to gain the skills to assess and implement circular economy models under international standards, we invite you to take part in our specialist courses:

SGZW Internal Auditor Course:

• Start: 23 February 2026
• Duration: 40 hours
• Schedule: Monday to Thursday | 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (GMT-5)
• Format: 100% online

Zero Waste Management System Lead Implementer Course

• Duration: 24 hours
• Start date: 17 March
• Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays | 6:00 p.m. to 09:00 p.m. (GMT-5).

Would you like to know more about Zero Waste Management System certification? Write to us: