The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is set to release LEED v5. This latest update to the green building rating system introduces a bold new focus on waste reduction that is particularly relevant for businesses interested in cutting waste and increasing efficiency.
Here are 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.
Scroll below to download USGBC’s detailed guides for LEED v5.
Top 3 LEED Updates With Actionable Tips
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. This is to encourage more projects to pursue waste diversion and reduction initiatives. Even buildings in the early stages of waste reduction can qualify for LEED credits while working toward long-term zero waste goals.
Actionable Tip: Conduct a waste audit to understand your diversion and the number of points available to your project. This audit will provide critical insights into your waste streams and recycling contamination, and help you you optimize your waste management strategy.
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.
Actionable Tip: Think long term, and set long-term waste reduction goals. Start by tracking and measuring your waste metrics to improve waste practices. If you are planning a new building or renovation, work with your architects to include waste system design in the planning. This will help your building reduce waste and increase efficiency from day one.
3) Works Well With TRUE
With LEED v5 Building Operations + Maintenance, you can earn a credit point for waste diversion strategies such as performing a zero waste audit, reviewing waste infrastructure, providing education, or starting a new organics program.
These credit options are some of the building blocks of TRUE Zero Waste certification. By pursuing LEED Materials and Resources credits, project teams can gain credits toward TRUE certification as well.
Actionable Tip: Review your waste infrastructure and provide sustainable materials training to staff and building occupants. Engaging stakeholders is an especially effective way to help you reach your zero waste goals.
Learn More about LEED updates
For more details, download LEED v5 updates from the USGBC for the following:
- Building Operations and Maintenance
- Building Interior and Construction
- Building Design and Construction
Photo: Unsplashed, Alesia Kazantcev