Join our newsletterLEED Certification
Led by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is a nonprofit membership organization aimed toward improving the complete building cycle. Representing “Leadership in Energy and Design,” LEED provides specific guidelines to achieve energy efficient and ecologically friendly operations, maintenance, construction, and removal of both commercial and residential property. LEED's rating system measures a wide variety of actions regarding the building and determines if it is certification qualified. Earning a LEED certification is a major accomplishment that contributes to the community and environment by showing green conscious performance at your home or workplace.
How can you make a difference?
- Maintain a record of services performed to any gas powered equipment used on the property and ensure it meets regulations in regard to emissions, noise, and soil compaction.
- When applying pest chemicals to your property, be sure to use the least toxic products available.
- Fertilizer must be derived from recovered materials and should only be used when needed (see EPA link below).
- Also, keep a record of all chemicals applied, areas affected, and MSDS for chemical products applied.
- Do NOT disturb natural native vegetation areas whenever possible. Native plants are very important in LEED efforts due to less fertilizer and irrigation requirements.
- To reduce waste, all mowing equipment should be mulching equipment.
- Compost is very important and should be the solution to all yard waste. Also, maintain the optimal mix of organic materials and moisture to achieve healthy decomposition of the waste.
- Non-compost trash should be disposed of in a closed trash container and must remain closed at all times preventing animal or insect attraction.
- If used, irrigation system should be calibrated to release no more than .75” of water per week.
Reference
For further details regarding the LEED program and certification visit: www.usgbc.org
EPA fertilizer and compost recommendations and regulations can be found at: http://epa.gov/osw/conserve/tools/cpg/products/compost.htm