|
Green Building
Background
Green building is emerging as a significant industry throughout the nation. According to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), green building, including both the commercial and residential sectors, is projected to grow from a $10 billion to a $60 billion industry during the time period from 2005 to 2010. A driving force in this growth is the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program that offers third party verification of a building’s high performance standard. There is an ever-increasing demand for LEED certified buildings in both the public and private sectors.
LEED has become a recognized industry standard. Designers earn credits in a number of categories and the more credits, the higher the value of the LEED certification. Many leading design firms are striving to maximize credits so their buildings will have the highest ranking possible.
Recycling, Reuse, and LEED Certification
The USGBC requires that LEED-certified buildings provide readily accessible areas to support the recycling of, at a minimum, paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics and metals.
In addition, green professionals can secure credits toward their LEED certification of buildings in most of the USGBC programs for:
• Recycled-content materials,
• Resource reuse,
• Construction waste management that diverts at least 50% of waste materials from disposal,
• Building reuse.
The USGBC set minimum percentage requirements that projects must meet in order to achieve the credits.
For more information, contact the USGBC.
|
