Update: LEED v5 was ratified by members of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) on March 28, 2025.
What is LEED v5: The Evolution of LEED
LEED v5, as the name suggests, is the fifth update to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building standard released by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Since the first LEED certifications were awarded in 1998, LEED has evolved to become more comprehensive, taking into account new environmental challenges.
Over the years, LEED has incorporated requirements touching on energy efficiency, carbon reporting, water use, materials transparency, human health and more. With each new LEED version, the bar is raised to encourage more resilient buildings that are not only more efficient and cheaper to operate, but also offer environmental, social and governance (ESG) benefits.
Anica Landreneau, chair of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Steering Committee, describes the LEED certification system as a process and explains that the committee is committed to updating LEED on a five-year cycle. “No single version of LEED is going to get us to the Paris (Agreement) target; it is about a trajectory,” she notes.
In short, LEED is designed to produce better buildings. And each LEED update leads to even better, more sustainable buildings with resilient designs. Today, LEED is the leading green building ratings system in the world, with over 197,000 LEED projects worldwide in 186 countries and territories.
What Does LEED v5 Mean for Your Current Projects?
If you are working towards LEED certification for your building(s) or planning to recertify, you can continue to register for versions of LEED v4 until the registration close date (towards the end of Q1 2026). Notices will go out before registration and/or certification closes for any LEED rating system version.
If your project is registered under LEED v4, you can opt to move it to LEED v5 if you fulfill requirements for the updated version and resubmit documentation.
Registration is currently open for LEED v5 for the following:
- LEED v5 O+M: Existing Buildings
- LEED v5 BD+C: New Construction
- LEED v5 BD+C: Core and Shell
- LEED v5 ID+C: Commercial Interiors
What’s New in LEED v5?
This latest update to the green building rating system emphasizes decarbonization along with points that support the natural world and human health. It introduces a bold new focus on waste reduction that is particularly relevant for businesses interested in cutting waste and increasing efficiency.
We have identified the top three ways LEED v5 will impact waste management. Read on to get actionable tips to help you align your waste strategy with LEED standards. If you have questions about these updates, our waste experts are here to help.
Top 3 Ways LEED v5 Will Impact Waste Management
1) Lower Barrier to Entry for Waste
LEED v5 Building Operations + Maintenance significantly lowers the waste diversion threshold from 40 percent to just 6 percent, while also increasing the number of points available for higher diversion rates (up to 12 available credit points for 80% diversion). This will encourage more projects to pursue waste diversion and reduction initiatives. While there is no minimum requirement, even buildings in the early stages of waste reduction can qualify for LEED credits while working toward long-term zero waste goals.
2) Zero Waste Planning is Now Required
LEED v5 calls on projects to develop comprehensive zero waste plans that integrate waste prevention, reduction, and ongoing waste management strategies. The emphasis is on long-term planning for zero waste to minimize waste generation throughout a project’s lifecycle.
For new construction, projects must incorporate zero waste building operations. Teams must provide detailed plans, maintenance manuals, and resources to ensure that their buildings are designed with waste in mind. In addition, organizations must now plan for organics and food waste diversion.
3) Works Well With TRUE
By pursuing LEED Materials and Resources credits, project teams can gain credits toward TRUE certification as well. The waste diversion strategies credit options described below are some of the building blocks for TRUE Zero Waste certification.
How to Align Your Waste Strategy With LEED v5
Under LEED v5, in addition to achieving credits from diversion, you can earn a credit point for any of these waste reduction strategies:
1) Conduct a Zero Waste Audit
A zero waste audit goes beyond understanding your diversion rate and the number of points available to your project. This audit will provide critical insights into the materials entering and exiting your facility and identify recoverable materials in the trash, providing the guidance to lower waste generation and increase diversion. Great Forest provides a full range of waste audits tailored to meet your specific needs and waste-related goals, including specialized LEED waste audits (for certification support).
2) Conduct an Inventory of Waste Collection Infrastructure
The success of your waste management program depends in part on your waste collection infrastructure. This includes labeling, education and right-sized waste containers. A comprehensive inventory of your waste collection infrastructure should document the location and number of bins for each stream, bin sizes, condition, label status, and pickup frequency.
Periodic reviews of your waste collection infrastructure enables adjustments to be made to improve and optimize your waste management program. Follow up your waste infrastructure inventory and review with training for staff and building occupants. Engaging stakeholders is an especially effective way to help you reach your zero waste goals.
3) Implement an Organics Recycling Program
If your project does not have an organics recycling/composting program prior to the reporting period, you may earn a point by implementing a new program or expanding an existing organics recycling program by introducing a new and separate waste stream.
Your organics program must include training, appropriate signage, and implementation guidance for effective organics recycling/composting to minimize contamination.
LEED v5 Early Adopters
Take a look at some of the first LEED v5 certified spaces that are leading the way. From the Citigroup Center in Miami, Florida, to BranchPattern in Omaha, Nebraska.
Learn More: Links to LEED Reference Guides
LEED v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C)
April 2025 Launch Edition
LEED v5 Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)
April 2025 Launch Edition
LEED v5 Operations and Maintenance (O+M)
April 2025 Launch Edition
Photo: Unsplashed, Alesia Kazantcev