855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 403

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To meet the prerequisite, teams must provide dedicated area(s) for recyclable items including organics (compostables), mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals. Teams should work with the owner and architects to provide sufficient collection and storage space for all required recyclables based on the building size, occupants, and local recycling markets. In many places, recycling of various materials is required by laws or regulations. Project teams should check for local requirements and service vendors to ensure maximal waste diversion.

Given the substantial greenhouse gas emissions from discarded organic waste in landfills (from methane production), it is required 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 recyclable materials that are collected by the building and sent for recycling at time of occupancy. Base these bins or collection 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.

There is a growing environmental concern for the increasing volume of electronic waste (ewaste), such as computers, cameras, printers, and keyboards. The e-waste disposal procedure 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.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 393