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By being in position to meet the needs of LEED project teams, waste handlers and material recyclers can capitalize on industry demand and realize long-term business value.

By Tad Radzinski, P.E., LEED AP, SFP and Mike Campbell, E.I.T., LEED AP O+M

After three years of development, six public comment periods, and plenty of heated debate, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design version 4 (LEED v4) has finally been launched, and it is anticipated to drive higher standards in the green building marketplace. With a number of changes from the LEED 2009 rating system, LEED v4 further challenges building owners and operators to reduce environmental impacts through sustainable initiatives and practices. Directed by standards and codes, the green building industry is creating and advancing associated markets. From increasing demand for recycled content in products to limiting chemicals of concern, the effects of LEED v4 are being felt by manufacturers and service providers across a wide range of industries.

The Influence of the Green Building Market

The waste and recycling industry is not immune to the influence of the green building market. With increased emphasis on responsible material management and end-of-life concerns, LEED projects are responsible for diverting more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills. According to the Green Building and Market Impact Report from 2011, this number is expected to grow to 540 million tons of waste diversion by 2030.¹ LEED v4 is expediting this growth as it raises the bar from LEED 2009. Revisions include making optional waste credits into mandatory prerequisites and upping waste diversion credit thresholds. The changes implemented in LEED v4 are fueling the aforementioned waste diversion increases and providing new opportunities that, if capitalized on, could significantly benefit members of the waste and recycling community.

Materials and Resources

A notable difference in LEED v4 for Existing Buildings is that Materials and Resources Prerequisite 1 now uses performance criteria to promote waste diversion. Buildings that have a waste diversion rate below 75 percent are required to have a waste stream audit performed every five years. This prerequisite will charge project teams and building owners with finding innovative ways to divert waste, and will inevitably increase demand for professional waste audits.

Another change includes an added prerequisite under the Materials and Resources section that focuses on ensuring continued, responsible material management throughout building operation and for any future alterations. Once an optional credit, this prerequisite compels project teams to establish a Facility Maintenance and Renovation Policy that directly addresses waste, purchasing and indoor air quality management during these activities.

Existing Buildings

LEED v4 ups the ante with more stringent requirements for waste management in existing buildings. In LEED 2009, there were separate credits for Ongoing Waste and Durable Waste. By combining the Ongoing Waste and Durable Goods credits, LEED v4 pushes building owners to address waste holistically in order to earn points. Setting aggressive diversion rate requirements, this credit encourages building owners to prioritize waste management and define alternative outlets for end-of-life materials. In order to earn this credit, project teams will need to meet a diversion rate of 50 percent for ongoing waste, 75 percent for durable goods (defined as items including furniture, electronics, appliances, etc.), and 100 percent for mercury-containing lamps and batteries. Combining these requirements into a single credit will hold owners accountable for all waste streams and, as a result, increase the need for waste and recycling professionals. Additionally, a credit in LEED v4 for existing buildings addresses waste generated from facility maintenance and renovation activities. In order to earn this credit, project teams are required to divert at least 70 percent of waste generated from these activities.

The greatest challenges building owners and operators face when attempting to earn these credits will include fully understanding their waste streams and finding appropriate outlets and material handlers for their waste. Waste management has only recently become a priority for building managers; as the focus on material management grows, many are scrambling to track, measure and manage their waste flows properly.

Another challenge is that there are limited markets for recycling certain waste materials due to geographic limitations, economic feasibility, technological deficiency, or state and local regulations. As the waste market continues to grow, these barriers will be overcome through innovation and policy changes. In fact, many municipalities are already recognizing the increased need for waste diversion outlets, and are working to alter regulations to promote commercial recycling operations in various regions.

Advancement and Growth

Inevitably, both the green building and waste and recycling markets are heading toward advancement and opportunity for compounding growth. With LEED and other green building rating systems spurring demand for waste diversion, the supply of material handlers and recycling organizations will need to catch up. Conversely, increased accessibility of waste handlers will make it easier for all building operators to divert waste, which will further boost the recycling market. Organizations at the forefront of this emerging trend can help shape the future of the market. By positioning themselves to meet the needs of LEED project teams, waste handlers and material recyclers can capitalize on this industry demand and realize long-term business value. | WA

With 30 years of practical experience, Tad Radzinski, P.E., LEED AP, SFP, is a leading expert in corporate responsibility and environmental management. Through consulting, training and speaking, he has provided hundreds of organizations the insight and tools to revolutionize their business through successful sustainability strategies. Tad is co-founder and president of Sustainable Solutions Corporation (SSC) (Royersford, PA) and provides consultative services to companies in a wide range of global industries. Tad is an adjunct professor at Villanova University and was instrumental in the development of Villanova’s Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Engineering. He also serves as the Chief Certification Officer at GreenCircle Certified, LLC, providing third-party verification of environmental claims. He can be reached at (610) 569-1047 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Mike Campbell, E.I.T., LEED AP O+M, is a Sustainability Specialist for the Sustainable Buildings and Operations group within the SSC Team. He has extensive experience in sustainable design and green building practices, LEED building certification, building energy simulations, ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings, and sustainable building operations and maintenance. Mike is certified as an Engineer in Training by the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers, and is a LEED Accredited Professional with a focus in Operations and Maintenance. Mike can be reached at (610) 569-1047 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Note

Watson, Rob. Green Building and Market Impact Report – 2011.

LEED 2009 vs. LEED v4 Quick Reference

Then:

Prerequisites:

• MR Prerequisite 1: Sustainable Purchasing Policy
• MR Prerequisite 2: Solid Waste Management Policy

Credits 6-9: Solid Waste Management

Points available: 4

• MR Credit 6 Waste Stream Audit
• MR Credit 7 Ongoing Consumables: Divert 50 percent of ongoing waste and recycle 80 percent of batteries
• MR Credit 8 Durable Goods: Recycle 75 percent of durable goods
• MR Credit 9 Facility Maintenance and Renovation: Divert 70 percent if waste generated by alterations and additions

Now:

Prerequisites:

• Combined previous into Ongoing Purchasing and Waste Policy Prerequisite

Added:

• Requirement for minimum recyclables storage

• Requirement of waste stream audit every five years (if diversion rate is below 75 percent) (from MR Credit 6)

• Requirement for retail projects to address environmentally responsible purchasing and waste throughout the supply chain

• NEW Prerequisite: Facility Maintenance and Renovation Policy

• Requires policies addressing Purchasing, Waste Management, and Indoor Air Quality during maintenance and renovation activities

Credits:

• Previous MR Credit 6: Rolled into Prerequisite

• MR Credit Solid Waste Management – Ongoing

• Points available: 2

• This credit combines two LEED 2009 credits: MR Credit Solid Waste Management—Ongoing Consumables and MR Credit Solid Waste Management—Durable Goods.

• Furniture and furnishings are excluded from this credit and now covered under MR Credit Solid Waste Management—Facility Maintenance and Renovations.

• The threshold for battery recycling has been raised from 80 percent to 100 percent.

• A requirement for 100 percent recycling of mercury-containing lamps has been added.

• MR Credit Solid Waste Management – Facility Maintenance and Renovations

• Points available: 2

• Furniture and furnishings now included.