We are beyond excited to share our second installment of Green Tips! In this addition, we are sharing some great tips from LEED v4 for Building Operations Management. But specifically how implementing a recycling program can get your building closer to it’s LEED certification!

We all know the importance of recycling. But for those who aren’t green at heart, finding the time to properly recycle waste products can be tricky. A great option to help your employees recycle and keep our earth beautiful is to implement a recycling plan at your workplace! In helping reduce your carbon footprint, your efforts in establishing a recycling program puts your facility a few points closer to achieving LEED certification.

The purpose of LEED’s Ongoing Solid Waste Management Credit is to reduce the waste that is generated by building occupants and hauled to and disposed of in landfills and incinerators. Following these requirements will gain you two points toward your facility’s certification.

Performance

Maintain a waste reduction and recycling program that reuses, recycles, or composts the following:

  • at least 50% of the ongoing waste as specified in Materials and Resources Prerequisite: Ongoing Purchasing and Waste Policy (by weight or volume); and
  • at least 75% of the durable goods waste as specified in Materials and Resources Prerequisite: Ongoing Purchasing and Waste Policy (by weight, volume or replacement value).

In addition, safely dispose of the following:

  • all discarded batteries; and
  • all mercury-containing lamps.

There are many different ways to implement this type of system, most popularly being to install recycling bins in carefully and conveniently placed locations around your facility both internally and externally. Additionally, you can have “electronic waste days” where you set aside specific days to properly dispose of batteries, mercury-containing lamps, and any other electronic waste product.

How do you recycle in the workplace? We’d love to hear what works for you and your company. Comment below and let us know what you think!

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