Best Practices

If you develop a list of approved items, try to offer several options in each product category, as cost and availability may vary over time.

Procurement staff can develop a list of ongoing consumables approved for purchase by researching new products to verify their efficacy. Require approval for purchase of any products not on the list. 

Although not required, other additional ongoing consumables to consider tracking for this credit include:

• disposable cafeteria flatware,
• plates, and cups,
• packaging and shipping supplies,
• kitchen supplies,
• and any other ongoing consumable that is specific to your project building.

Get buy-in from all purchasing decision-makers in the building. Holding a meeting with all purchasing agents and tenants to explain the intention of LEED certification and address specific concerns from individuals can help get the whole building on board. 

Educate building occupants about bike routes in the area and provide incentives for bicycle commuting. Bike routes can also be posted on the company intranet. 

Providing access to common bike racks, building terraces to install bike racks, and other shared services should be discussed with the building owner. These provisions must be incorporated into the lease agreement to eliminate any future misunderstandings. 

When sizing and designing the showers and storage facilities consider the possibility of future expansion. 

Although nonresidential projects don’t require bike racks to be covered, consider providing sheltered bike storage anyway. Bicyclists will appreciate it and may use the bike racks more often. 

Occupants will appreciate if showers are conveniently located and accessible from the bike storage area. This will also increase use of the biking and showering facilities. 

If you are doing a phased submittal, submit all construction documents at the end of construction.  If you are not doing a phased submittal, submit all design and construction documents at the end of construction.