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Extracted Content
The following are examples of common non-hazardous materials generated within a project boundary that must be included in the credit calculations:
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General waste . Waste stream containing everyday trash such as food wrappers, single plastic items that are not recyclable, used paper/tissues, flimsy plastic wrappers, etc.
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Recyclables . Paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum, other metals, compostables, and glass
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Organics/compostables . Materials that originated from living organisms which include: food residuals; yard debris; and wood, plant or paper products
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Furniture . Chairs, desks, tables, filing cabinets, systems/workstations, shelving units, etc.
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Electronic waste (nonhazardous office equipment) . Computers, monitors, printers, copiers, telephones, etc., that are not considered hazardous materials as defined by the project’s local jurisdiction, state, or country
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Production/manufacturing materials . Raw materials, semi-finished products, scraps, or components used in the creation of goods during the manufacturing process
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Materials generated from construction, facility alterations, and additions . Drywall, flooring tiles, light fixtures, doors, ceiling tiles, electrical wiring, plumbing, concrete, pavers, flooring, etc.
Hazardous materials are defined by the project’s local jurisdiction, state, or country. If a material is considered hazardous by the local jurisdiction, state, or country, then it must be properly disposed of according to regulations. Hazardous materials are excluded from the material scope.
Waste Diversion Methods
Projects achieve points by demonstrating waste prevention and diversion. Project teams are recommended to follow the TRUE waste hierarchy framework [87] that prioritizes waste management actions to minimize environmental impact. 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 (WASTE PREVENTION)
A project team may find ways to reduce the materials being purchased and generated by implementing more efficient practices within the project boundary. Examples of reduction strategies include routine office processes, like printing paychecks, going paperless, or switching from disposable cups to reusable ceramic mugs in a kitchen.
87 GBCI, “Resources,” n.d., true.gbci.org/resources.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 194