Our Story
Founded in 2012, CERO began as a worker-owned cooperative, pioneering a democratic model where every team member has a voice—and a stake—in our success.
We launched by raising over $370,000 through a direct public offering, allowing individuals to invest directly in our mission: keeping food waste out of landfills, saving money for our clients, and creating good green jobs for Boston’s communities. That early support laid the foundation for our growth and impact.
Our work aligns closely with Boston’s environmental goals, especially in light of the Massachusetts food waste ban. This regulation created a powerful opportunity to expand our services and help local businesses comply—while building sustainable, effective composting systems. Through strong partnerships, we've helped organizations across sectors turn food waste into a resource and be part of the solution.
Who We Are
We are a dedicated, bilingual team of worker-owners rooted in Boston’s working-class communities and communities of color. We live where we work, and we believe in the strength of Boston’s neighborhoods. As a cooperative, every team member has a voice—and a stake—in how our business runs.
CERO was born from a vision of community-powered green jobs. As founding member Tim Hall recalls, “When I heard about the green economy for the first time, a light bulb went off in my head. We can create businesses and jobs for ourselves.” Tim and his partners started Roxbury Green Power, collecting used cooking oil from local restaurants to be processed into biodiesel fuel.
At the same time, Guadalupe Gonzalez was cleaning commercial buildings during the day and salvaging cans and bottles at night to support her family—one of the thousands of “hidden” green economy workers. Tired of poor wages and difficult conditions, she joined forces with Tim, the Boston Workers Alliance, and fellow members of the MassCOSH worker center. Together, they laid the groundwork for a worker-owned, zero waste enterprise.
In 2014, that vision became reality. CERO launched a successful year-long Direct Public Offering, raising over $370,000 from everyday community investors. Though lenders were initially hesitant to back low-income entrepreneurs in the green economy, CERO proved what’s possible when communities invest in their own future. Today, we’re growing steadily and delivering on our promise to create dignified green jobs for the people who own the company.
CERO is proud to be a bilingual, multicultural cooperative—and part of a growing solidarity economy that’s advancing workplace democracy and sustainable community investment.
As a certified women- and minority-owned business, equity and empowerment are at the heart of everything we do. We’re committed to advancing Boston’s sustainability goals while creating meaningful, living-wage jobs in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Today, CERO continues to grow responsibly and innovate in composting and zero waste services—always with a focus on community impact. We’re proud to be building a greener Boston and excited for what’s ahead.
Mission Statement
At CERO, we're more than just a worker-owned cooperative and a certified minority- and woman-owned business (MBE & WBE). We're advocates for change in Boston’s marginalized communities, united by our commitment to sustainability and solidarity. Our mission is clear: to foster economic empowerment and create pathways to prosperity for people of color, working-class individuals, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ communities through the power of worker ownership—while advancing green practices and environmental sustainability.
By collaborating with fellow cooperatives, we’re building an inclusive, environmentally conscious economy that leads in zero-waste industries and generates meaningful employment. Our goal is to cultivate thriving, self-sufficient communities where everyone can shape their own future and benefit from policies that support both environmental stewardship and economic justice.
Diversity and equity are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that each initiative contributes to collective well-being and ecological integrity. Together, we're building a sustainable future where empowerment and sustainability go hand in hand—driving lasting change and shared prosperity.
Our Community Funded Roots
In 2014, CERO made waves by launching a successful Direct Public Offering (DPO), allowing everyday people—not just traditional investors—to buy shares in our cooperative. For many, it was their first chance to invest in a mission they believed in, support the local economy, and take pride in our collective success. The DPO raised over $370,000 from the Greater Boston community and helped attract additional interest from impact investors
CERO Co-op—and the world of impact investing—has grown significantly since our early days. As our customer base has expanded and diversified, so has our financing. We’re proud to be backed by respected mission-aligned investors including the Cooperative Fund of New England, the Boston Ujima Fund, the Untours Foundation, the Boston Impact Initiative, and the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund.
In June 2020, we restructured our balance sheet to reduce debt and simplify our capital structure. This move, combined with new financing, positioned CERO for long-term growth and deeper service to the Greater Boston community.
Even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve kept moving forward—expanding our service region, forming strategic partnerships, and continuing to grow our impact. Today, CERO remains committed to responsible growth and innovation in composting and zero-waste solutions. We’re proud to be building Boston’s green future—and excited for what’s ahead.
