855773520-LEED-v5-ID-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 248

Extracted Content

Given the substantial GHG emissions from discarded organic waste in landfills (from methane production), it is essential to plan space for composting organic materials generated by occupants, even if composting services are not immediately available at time of building occupancy. For organics collection, some material processors will encourage paper products to be recycled separately (such as office paper placed in mixed-paper recycling bins and excluded from food scraps collection). Check with local authorities for guidance on best practices for mixed paper or cardboard and other forms of organics composting.

To meet the prerequisite, project teams must provide an adequate amount of dedicated space for recycling with the appropriate infrastructure to handle such recycling. This includes planning for the installation of collection systems or bins for the collection of recyclable materials that are expected to be collected by the building and sent for recycling at time of occupancy. These installed bins or collection systems can be based on current service offerings in the project region.

Commingled recycling bins (excluding organics) are acceptable if the local municipality or recycling vendor allows commingled recycling, though commingled recycling tends to reduce the quality of diverted materials and leads to lower overall recovery rates. Therefore, source separation of recycled material types is encouraged to maximize diversion rates and help meet zero waste goals, but is not required unless separate streams are required by local regulations or guidelines.

The increasing volume of electronic waste (e-waste), such as computers, cameras, printers, and keyboards, has become a growing environmental concern. The disposal procedure for e-waste is more hazardous than cardboard, glass, plastic, metals, and paper. Therefore, identifying safe storage areas, recycling facilities, and haulers that can process e-waste is important. Teams must indicate space dedicated to the storage and collection of recyclables, composts, and ewaste areas on a floor plan and describe how these spaces will be serviced and accessed safely by building occupants and staff.

Project teams are recommended to follow the TRUE [64] waste hierarchy framework that prioritizes waste management actions to minimize environmental impact and conserve resources. It ranks waste management strategies from most to least preferred, focusing on reducing waste generation and maximizing resource recovery before resorting to disposal, in this order:

• Reduce . Minimizing waste at the source (e.g., use fewer materials and resources)

• Reuse . Extending the life of products by using them more than once

64 “TRUE”, Green Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI), accessed March 31, 2025, https://true.gbci.org/.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 237