LEED-EBOM does not require your policy to commit to the compliance thresholds for SWM credits (such as 50% of ongoing consumables). For this prerequisite, diversion targets may be set to any level that is appropriate for your building, as long as they are publicly articulated in the SWM policy.

The SWM policy may be part of a larger building sustainability policy or a document that pre-dates the LEED project time period. If the SWM policy is part of a larger document, highlight the sections relevant to this prerequisite (and indicate which address each core element of the USGBC Policy Model) to help the LEED reviewer easily locate this language.

Before creating the SWM policy, conduct a waste stream audit, in conjunction with MRc6: Solid Waste Management—Waste Stream Audit, to assess current recycling rates in your building. Although not a prerequisite requirement, doing so will help identify strong or weak areas in existing practices, and help you to craft the SWM policy to address opportunities for improvements.

Create an SWM policy that sets measureable goals for recycling and reuse of waste streams that are within the building and site management’s control. Make sure that the SWM policy specifically covers each aspect of the USGBC Policy Model. (See Resources.)

The actual budget method can be more time-consuming for the contractor because it requires tracking the actual costs of all materials purchased, even those in the applicable CSI divisions that do not necessarily contribute to LEED credits.

Develop rapidly renewable procurement recommendations and incorporate the recommendations into a purchasing policy. This will contribute to EBOM MRp1: Sustainable Purchasing Policy.  

Streamline documentation and research by taking data gathered from subcontractors via the Environmental Materials Reporting Form and transfer it into a master spreadsheet for all the items being tracked for each product across MR and IEQ credits. For example, you may need to ask the millworker for rapidly renewable information for MRc6, certified wood information for MRc7, and information about adhesives installed on site for IEQc4.1. If one spreadsheet collects all the data, it can streamline your documentation, associated research, and help with quality control.

Research the availability of additional rapidly renewable materials before construction begins to ensure that the project earns this credit. If product decisions are made after construction begins, there may be less time to review data sheets carefully and much greater risk of using a noncompliant product.

Whenever possible, designate in the construction specifications that contractors use specific manufacturers that you have verified as producers of rapidly renewable items. This will help save research time for the contractors.

Analyze the initial budget to know what materials the project can target for this credit, and incorporate the language of the LEED requirements accordingly into construction specs for the specific materials. The contractor will appreciate not having to fill out forms for materials that are not rapidly renewable or that have so little cost value that it is a waste of time.