Pre-Design

Either identify a hauler with a strong recycling program, or research and find local recycling facilities to which you can send your hauler.

Research Phase

This is generally a low-cost or even a cost-saving credit due to reduced construction and maintenance costs. The only added cost might be signage for preferred parking spaces, if following Option 1 (see below).

When assessing parking spaces for this credit, include only those within the LEED project boundary.

If you’re not careful, limiting parking capacity could be frustrating for occupants, and not behavior-changing. Consider strategies that go above and beyond the credit requirements:

However, if the parking lot is within the LEED project boundary, the fact that it is shared with other facilities would not affect your need to minimize it according to zoning requirements and provide preferred parking spots based on the entire parking capacity. However, this sharing of parking could also help you achieve SSc10: Joint Use of Facilities.

Sharing parking facilities could help your project earn the credit via no additional parking, if the parking lot is not within the LEED project boundary.

This compliance path is top-heavy due to upfront consultant time, but it provides adequate structure to ensure that your project is in compliance with the prerequisite requirements. For some projects it may be less expensive to pursue than Option 1. 

Consider sharing parking facilities with adjacent buildings.

Though they can be a little daunting at first glance, a majority of the guide’s requirements overlap with other LEED credits, such as EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning, IEQp1: Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance, and IEQc6.1: Controllability of Systems—Lighting Controls.