Mission Statement
At CERO, we're more than just a worker-owned co-op and a certified minority and woman-owned business (MBE & WBE). We're advocates for change in Boston's marginalized communities, driven 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, all while promoting green practices and sustainability.
By collaborating with fellow cooperatives, we're building an inclusive, environmentally conscious economy that pioneers zero-waste industries and generates meaningful employment opportunities. Our goal is to create thriving, self-sufficient communities where everyone can influence their own future and benefit from policies that support both environmental stewardship and economic well-being.
Diversity and equity are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that each initiative contributes to collective thriving and environmental integrity. Together, we're shaping a sustainable future where empowerment and sustainability go hand in hand, paving the way for lasting change and shared prosperity.
Who We Are
We are a dedicated, bilingual team of worker-owners connected with Boston's working class and communities of color. We live where we work, and we believe in Boston's thriving local communities. Meet the Team.
One of CERO’s founders Tim Hall says, “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.” He and his partners formed Roxbury Green Power and started a waste vegetable oil collection business, selling used cooking oil from restaurants for reprocessing as biodiesel fuel.
By day, Guadalupe Gonzalez did backbreaking work, cleaning commercial buildings. At night, she collected bottles and cans from the trash, selling them to earn precious extra money to support her family -- one of the thousands of "hidden" green economy workers.
Determined to put the brakes on unacceptable wages and working conditions, Guadalupe and a team of MassCOSH worker center members joined forces with Tim and Boston Workers Alliance to create a worker-owned zero waste enterprise.
It wasn't long before CERO was born. Unique as a bilingual, multicultural co-op, in 2014 CERO completed a year long Direct Public Offering, raising capital by selling shares of dividend-paying stock to regular community people. Lenders who were initially hesitant to take a chance on lower income entrepreneurs in the green economy are now on board. CERO is growing and providing the jobs it promised to workers who own the company. CERO is proud to be part of a burgeoning solidarity economy fostering workplace democracy and new forms of sustainable community investment.
Our Story
Founded in 2012, we kicked off this journey as a worker-owned cooperative, pioneering a democratic approach where every team member has a voice in our operations and profits.
We started by raising over $370,000 through direct public offerings, inviting people to invest directly in our mission of sustainable waste management. Our mission is simple: keep food waste out of landfills, save money for our clients, and provide good green jobs for Boston’s hardworking communities. This support has been the backbone of our growth and the reason we can make a real difference.
Our work ties in perfectly with Boston’s environmental goals, especially with the Massachusetts food waste ban. This regulation gave us a great opportunity to expand our services, helping local businesses and institutions comply while keeping organic waste out of landfills. We've built strong, lasting partnerships, assisting various organizations in setting up effective composting systems.
As a certified women and minority-owned business, equity and empowerment are at the core of what we do. We're passionate about advancing Boston’s sustainability objectives and creating meaningful, livable-wage jobs in underprivileged neighborhoods. Today, CERO remains dedicated to growing responsibly and innovating in the composting and waste management sectors, always aiming to make a positive impact in our local community. We’re proud to be part of Boston’s green future and excited about what’s next
In 2014, CERO got a lot of attention by kickstarting our business through a successful Direct Public Offering (DPO). This innovative funding method allowed regular people to buy shares in CERO Cooperative. For many, it was their first opportunity to invest in a cause they believe in, support their local economy, and share in the pride of CERO's success. Our DPO raised over $370,000 from the Greater Boston community, which drew the interest of other impact investors.
CERO Co-op and the world of impact investing have both grown significantly since then. As our customer base has expanded and diversified, so has our financing. We're proud to have the support of reputable investors like 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, reducing our debt and simplifying our capital structure. This restructuring, along with new financing, sets CERO up to grow and better serve the Greater Boston community in the coming years.
Despite the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve kept pushing forward. By expanding our service region and forming more strategic partnerships, we've continued to grow and reach more customers. Our resilience has helped us make an even bigger impact in the community. Today, CERO is dedicated to growing responsibly and innovating in the composting and waste management sector, always striving to make a positive impact in our local community. We’re proud to be part of Boston’s green future and are excited about what’s next!
