When you are seeking LEED certification for your next building project, make sure to read up on the construction waste management
requirements that are included as a part of the LEED program. In order to qualify for LEED certification, a contractor must recycle a certain percentage of waste that is generated during the building process. By scheduling trash pickup and recycling serving Atlanta, you can make sure that your waste management protocol is in accordance with LEED certifications. Let’s take a look at some LEED construction waste management requirements that you may want to keep in mind for your next jobsite.
Identify Sources of Construction Waste
The first step of creating a construction waste management plan that follows LEED guidelines is to identify the site’s main sources of waste. Some examples of construction waste include cardboard, scrap metal, and excess timber. Once these waste sources have been identified, the team of contractors can create a sustainable recycling plan for the construction site.
Exclude Materials That Do Not Qualify
Under LEED guidelines, there are certain types of waste materials that do not qualify for the program. Materials that cannot be recycled or reused in order to qualify for LEED credits include soil or materials that have been unearthed during the land clearing process. While these materials should be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner, they cannot be counted towards a construction site’s total amount of recycled or salvaged materials.
Calculate Construction and Demolition Material Streams
LEED guidelines state that construction sites must divert a minimum of fifty percent of their construction or demolition materials to recycling facilities. If your site will be relying on a three-stream recycling protocol, you must recycle 50 percent of your total construction materials. Sites that rely on four-stream recycling protocols are required to recycle at least 75 percent of their total waste. By providing the U.S. Green Building Council with documentation of your green waste management efforts, you will gain points towards your building’s eventual LEED certification.
