A potential existing building (with two years to go) now wants to be LEED certified. The client has provided us with all the information on the design and construction of the building, but we found ourselves with the problem that they have not documented an accounting record for the waste generated during the construction of the building. How can we prove the prerequisite?
You rely on LEEDuser. Can we rely on you?
LEEDuser is supported by our premium members, not by advertisers.
Go premium for
Tiffany Beffel
Managing PartnerInnovative Workshop Consulting
LEEDuser Expert
22 thumbs up
March 15, 2023 - 3:18 pm
Hi Carlos. You indicated a potential existing building with two years to go. Can you clarify what this means? For completed projects, in order to pursue a BD+C: CS certification, construction submittal documentation needs to be submitted no later than two years from certificate of occupancy. So, first and foremost, I would want to confirm that you were still within this window.
Since the prerequisite does require final documentation of waste hauled, it would be a key piece of information missing. If you are able to track down any knowledge reference from the owner, contractor, or design team of record, you could utilize that to complete the template. The concern would then be no way to back up the data, if requested during the review.
So, in this case, I would suggest reaching out to USGBC directly https://www.usgbc.org/contactus to discuss your unique situation. I have found that it is best to reach out to them ahead of submitting as there might be opportunity to strategize an alternative pathway to still meet the client's goals for sustainability and certification. It could be possible that utilizing guestimate figures turns out to be acceptable, however, I have never had a project submit without having tracked this data. But if I were in your position, my first step would be to talk with USGBC to see how we could work together to achieve this prerequisite compliance.
Afogreen Build
www.afogreenbuild.comGreen Building Consultant
247 thumbs up
April 1, 2024 - 9:05 pm
Hi Carlos,
Because the building is existing building, therefore the requirement should follow LEED O+M for existing building through solid waste management - ongoing credit.
Please kindly refer to link below for further information related to solid waste management - ongoing credit.
https://www.usgbc.org/credits/existing-buildings-retail-existing-buildings-hospitality-existing-buildings-data-centers-e-0?view=resources&return=/credits/Existing%20Buildings/v4
The requirement in this credit is to maintain a waste reduction and recycling program that reuses, recycles, or composts the following:
In addition, safely dispose of the following:
- all discarded batteries; and
- all mercury-containing lamps.
Best regards - Afogreen Build Team