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Sustainable Environmental Management Company Services

Sustainable Environmental Management Co. (SEMCO) delivers expert services designed to help clients achieve long-term sustainability goals. Our comprehensive approach combines strategic planning, innovative solutions, community engagement, and proven results to reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote environmental stewardship across public agencies and the private sector.
SEMCO specializes in strategic planning and development activities tailored to create sustainable outcomes for every client. Our expertise includes conducting thorough assessments, including process, forensic, energy, and compliance audits. These analyses enable us to design optimal solutions that reduce environmental impact, cut costs, and minimize liability exposure.

Service One: Strategic Planning and Development

Founded to support both public agencies and private organizations, SEMCO excels in all aspects of Zero Waste and sustainable resource management. We design, implement, and fund cutting-edge conservation programs to eliminate waste in all forms. Beyond recycling, our focus extends to waste prevention strategies, the most effective way to reduce costs, such as organics recovery and food rescue initiatives.

Service Two: Practical, Innovative Solutions

SEMCO has successfully secured millions of dollars in grants, fee recovery, and services for municipalities. Our unique specialty lies in helping government and industry partners Reindustrialize America through Zero Waste—a vital strategy for achieving peace, prosperity, and environmental sustainability on both national and global scales.

Service Three: Delivering the Triple Bottom Line

With over 25 years of experience, SEMCO designs and implements award-winning education and outreach programs for businesses and governmental entities. Our capabilities include developing impactful digital and print media tailored to diverse audiences, fostering community engagement, and behavioral change toward sustainability.

Service Four: Public Outreach and Education

Library of Key Projects

In 2005–06, SEMCO assisted the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works in the design, development, and public involvement for its Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Ordinance. To properly implement the County’s ordinance, we developed a user’s handbook in both print and digital formats and promoted key information to primary and secondary stakeholders in the building and demolition industry, including the Building Industry Council, C&D debris haulers, and C&D debris processors. SEMCO educated the industry on the details of the ordinance, solicited their input on changes, and developed a wide range of informative instructional materials, including the handbook, case studies, pamphlets, sample plans and reports, and development forms (which are the basis of the industry in Southern California today). We compiled a comprehensive list of stakeholders and conducted outreach to everyone involved in the industry in the County.

County of Los Angeles C&D Debris Recycling

Los Angeles County Dept of Public Works C&D Debris Recycling Ordinance

Multimedia Zero Waste Business Campaign

Zero Waste Tool Kit for San Bernardino County, California

SEMCO served as the consultant to the County of San Bernardino Solid Waste Management Division in 2007-08, providing technical assistance on business waste reduction and recycling. Our program entailed the following:

City of Diamond Bar Zero Waste Program (Since 1999)

Diamond Bar, Calif: Leader in Community Zero Waste

  • Development and coordination of a countywide business waste prevention awareness network.
  • Development of waste prevention and recycling programs for multifamily housing, preparation and delivery of five (5) workshops per year targeting the food services industry, retail centers, and industrial complexes that engaged peer-to-peer technical assistance from firms currently practicing Zero Waste.
  • Development and funding of a speakers’ and peer mentoring bureau for local businesses.
  • Development of practical waste prevention and recycling programs for the top ten generators in SBC.
  • Development of model lease clauses for commercial parks to include waste prevention and recycling using incentives and disincentives, and implementation at one area commercial park.
For over two decades, SEMCO has managed the City of Diamond Bar’s Integrated Environmental Services, including stormwater compliance, environmental management, solid waste, and recycling programs. Responsibilities encompassed managing contracts with two waste haulers, completing state-mandated reports, and implementing state laws (AB 939, AB 341, and AB 1826). SEMCO also administered the city’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), used oil, and cans and bottles recycling grant programs. In 1998, we identified that Diamond Bar would not meet the 2000 AB 939 waste diversion target of 50%. SEMCO then convened a blue-ribbon committee including stakeholders across sectors to design a new waste management system. The resulting plan introduced franchised collection services, replacing the previous open-market, pay-as-you-throw collection, mandatory commercial recycling, and an organics recovery strategy. Within six months post-implementation, diversion rates soared from approximately 10% to 50% across residential and commercial waste streams, positioning Diamond Bar as a leader in community Zero Waste efforts.

City of Corona Cost of Service and Rate Study

SEMCO conducted a landmark comprehensive cost-of-service and rate study for the City of Corona’s refuse and recycling enterprise fund, utilizing its proprietary forensic auditing methodology. The study uncovered that the franchise hauler was underreporting gross receipts, resulting in multimillion-dollar revenue losses for the city. We successfully facilitated a negotiated settlement with the exclusive hauler, securing $35 million in revenue and complementary services for the city and its residents—all without increasing rates.

Firearms Recycling Campaign: Project Isaiah

Project Isaiah, initiated through collaboration between Leonard Robinson at a California steel mill and Southern California law enforcement, recycled thousands of confiscated firearms annually. These firearms were melted and transformed into reinforcing bars (rebar) used in regional construction projects. The program draws its name from the biblical scripture, “they shall beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks,” symbolizing transformation from weapons to peaceful use. This innovative program earned the City a Governor’s Award from the State of California as the “Best New Environmental Program for cities under 100,000 population” in 2001 and received national recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its exemplary approach.
For more information, see the EPA archive: EPA Winter 03 PAYT Article. SEMCO’s longstanding commitment to sustainable environmental management services combines scientific rigor, innovative program development, community collaboration, and proven outcomes, making us a trusted partner in building sustainable communities and industries.