How can you use LEED rating systems to promote circular economy principles?

2 How does LEED support circular economy principles?

LEED supports circular economy principles by encouraging the efficient use of resources, reducing waste and emissions, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services, and improving human health and well-being. This is achieved by promoting site selection and development that minimize environmental impact, optimizing transportation options, and integrating with the surrounding community and landscape. LEED also encourages water conservation and reuse, stormwater management, wastewater treatment, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, demand response, carbon offsetting, material selection and procurement that favor recycled and renewable sources, material reuse, recovery, and recycling. Additionally, LEED improves indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort by addressing ventilation, lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, and air quality. It also recognizes innovation and exemplary performance in design, construction, and operation that go beyond the minimum requirements of LEED. Finally, it addresses regional and local environmental priorities relevant to the project location.

3 How can you use LEED credits to implement circular economy strategies?

LEED credits are the specific criteria that a project must meet to earn points toward certification. Each credit has a goal, a requirement, and a documentation method, with some being mandatory and others optional. You can use LEED credits to implement circular economy strategies by choosing the ones that align with your project goals, budget, and feasibility. For example, the LT Credit: LEED for Neighborhood Development Location rewards projects located within LEED-certified neighborhoods that demonstrate smart growth, urbanism, and green building practices. The SS Credit: Rainwater Management encourages projects to reduce runoff volume and improve water quality by implementing green infrastructure. The WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use Reduction requires projects to reduce outdoor water use by using native or adapted plants, efficient irrigation systems, and alternative water sources. The EA Credit: Renewable Energy Production rewards projects that generate renewable energy on-site or off-site. The MR Credit: Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction recognizes projects that extend the life of existing buildings, reuse building materials, or use salvaged or recycled materials. The MR Credit: Construction and Demolition Waste Management requires projects to divert construction and demolition waste from disposal by reusing, recycling, or composting it. Lastly, the EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials requires projects to use materials with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, or other harmful emissions; while the EQ Credit: Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies encourages projects to implement strategies that improve indoor air quality.

4 What are the benefits of using LEED to promote circular economy principles?

Using LEED to promote circular economy principles can bring multiple benefits to your projects, including cost savings, environmental protection, social and human capital improvement, and the demonstration of leadership and innovation. Specifically, you can save money and resources by reducing operational and maintenance costs, as well as enhance efficiency and performance. You can also protect and restore the environment by minimizing ecological footprint, mitigating climate change, and supporting biodiversity. Moreover, LEED can improve occupant health, comfort, and productivity while creating green jobs and skills. Finally, it shows sustainability excellence which can lead to gaining recognition and credibility as well as accessing incentives and opportunities.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?