Simplified Environmental Solutions LLC (SES), a nationwide leader in landfill diversion solutions, today announced the opening of its second full-service zero waste facility in the Kansas City metro area. The expansion positions SES to better serve the growing demand for sustainable waste solutions throughout the Midwest, including major manufacturing hubs across Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska.

"Our second Kansas City location is a direct response to market demand," said Chad DeGraffenreid, CEO of SES. "We are seeing more manufacturers across the region making sustainability commitments that require zero waste outcomes.”

The new SES facility will offer a complete range of landfill diversion services, including non-hazardous materials processing, industrial recycling, and assured destruction of finished goods. The facility will also process non-recyclable materials into alternative fuels for industrial applications, a direct offset to coal and natural gas.

“We are pleased to see responsible waste management solutions growing in the Kansas City market,” said Michael Eaton, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers. “SES’s investment in zero waste infrastructure provides Missouri manufacturers with the resources they need to meet corporate sustainability commitments and create a healthier and more sustainable business environment.”

"We process 100% of incoming materials for beneficial reuse. Everything is recycled, recovered, or converted to alternative fuels. And our customers receive transparent reporting to document landfill diversion,” said Chad DeGraffenreid, CEO of SES.

Zero Waste Facility

SES accepts all non-hazardous waste profiles at this facility, including manufacturing byproducts, plastics and corrugated packaging, rubber and foam, mixed trailer loads, compactor waste, and off-spec or damaged consumer goods. SES will operate the facility as a fully enclosed, controlled-environment processing center designed to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and environmental compliance.

SES will not process food waste out of this location. Food and beverage waste reclamation will continue at the company's de-packaging and composting locations in Fulton and Springfield, Missouri, which serve food production and distribution companies across the region. 

"Kansas City is quickly becoming a leader in sustainable manufacturing," said Chad DeGraffenreid, CEO of SES. "We are excited to support that momentum by providing our customers with the zero waste infrastructure they need to meet their sustainability goals."

SES Expansion Plans

The new facility is part of SES's national expansion strategy. The company now operates six zero waste facilities across Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, and Utah, and has zero waste logistics partners that extend capabilities nationwide. SES will continue expanding to new markets as the demand for zero waste to landfill solutions continues to grow.

Analysis: Why Manufacturers Are Pursuing Zero Waste to Landfill

Corporate sustainability goals and rising costs have pushed US manufacturing companies to seek landfill diversion solutions. Many US manufacturers today must demonstrate zero waste outcomes to satisfy ESG requirements with global customers and other stakeholders who require landfill diversion as a condition of doing business. Additionally, rising landfill costs and shrinking disposal capacity in some regions are making traditional waste management costly and untenable. Furthermore, there are inherent benefits to companies that embrace zero waste solutions, such as improved brand equity and reduced risk of long-term environmental liabilities.

The demand for verified zero waste to landfill solutions is accelerating across all manufacturing verticals. From health and hygiene to automotive, data centers, food and beverage, consumer goods, and more. Manufacturing companies with corporate sustainability goals and ESG requirements have a strong incentive to reduce or eliminate landfill dependency. 

SES delivers zero waste solutions specifically designed to address these manufacturing challenges. SES’s approach provides the documentation manufacturers need to meet these sustainability requirements and boost brand reputation. When waste arrives at and SES facility, the material is no longer considered “waste”; instead it is reclassified as a Non-Hazardous Secondary Material (NHSM), a new resource with a new purpose. These new materials are 100% reutilized as new applications, such as alternative fuels, new recycled commodities, nutrient-rich compost and soils, and other beneficial reuse applications.