This credit encourages environmental best practices for building exterior maintenance. It’s among the most commonly pursued credits because it costs little to implement, and is relevant to all buildings, even those with zero lot lines.
Provided that key best practices are thoroughly incorporated into vendor contracts and standard operating procedure (SOP) language, this credit is not difficult to achieve. Many project teams already employ at least some compliant practices and can focus their efforts on formalizing these practices and expanding them into a comprehensive plan. All plans must address:
- use of compliant cleaners, paints and sealants;
- environmentally preferable practices for snow and ice removal (where applicable);
- use of low-impact maintenance equipment;
- and, where possible, minimizing the use of chemicals and maintenance equipment.
Best practices, not standard practices
Research and adopt environmental best practices for each of the relevant activity areas (see below). Many teams assume that they’re already doing best practices, when in fact they are following standard industry practice. Work with vendors and research practices to identify best practices; the list below illustrates this concept and suggests alternatives.
The credit requires you to implement enough best practices to “significantly” reduce environmental harm. In practice, this means 20% adoption is considered a minimum. However, 100% adoption of environmental best practices may be quite feasible, and makes documentation easier while increasing environmental benefits.
Writing the plan may be the hardest part
Writing the plan can be the most challenging part of this credit, as project teams have difficulty methodically writing about their best management practices and the associated environmental benefits. See the Checklists tab for specific tips on doing this successfully.
While in large part your vendors can produce other maintenance plans required for LEED, such as a green cleaning policy or an IPM plan, projects will probably have to produce the building exterior and hardscape management plan themselves, while integrating the work of two or three vendors.
Consider these questions when approaching this credit
- How are painting and sealing activities managed for the building’s exterior and hardscape? Are there opportunities for using less environmentally harmful products?
- How is snow and ice removal handled on drives and walkways? Is there an opportunity to implement an “anti-icing” program? (See LEEDuser's tipsheet for additional information on the benefits of anti-icing.)
- How are building exterior and hardscape cleaning handled? What opportunities exist for reducing the environmental impacts associated with current practices?
- What maintenance equipment is currently used onsite? How and when is maintenance equipment purchased? Are there opportunities for procuring low-impact equipment? Do opportunities exist for substituting manual practices for power equipment, or electric for gas-powered equipment?
- Do your existing vendors offer environmentally friendly services? If vendors do not have eco-friendly offerings, are they willing to learn and adopt new practices?
- Does your building have a staff person directly responsible to exterior and hardscape management? If not, it is important to have at least one point person to develop and implement the Building Exterior and Hardscape Management Plan. Once a point person has been identified, it is important to get that person involved from the start of the project to ensure that all the environmental best-management practices are thoroughly developed, included in any related vendor contracts, and implemented on an ongoing basis throughout the project site and associated grounds.