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U.S. Waste and Recycling

The U.S. generated approximately 254 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2007. Excluding composting, the amount of MSW recycled increased to 63.3 million tons, an increase of 1.9 million tons from 2006. This is a 3 percent increase in the tons recycled. Source: US EPA, Municipal Solid Waste in the United States. 2007 Fact and Figures.
Materials & Resources

In the construction and day-to-day operations of buildings, many materials and resources are used and a great deal of waste is generated. The materials selected for use in a facility and the way they are disposed of impact the environment.
Space Reconfiguration and Renovation Projects

As needs change over time, tenants often need to convert space or phase the conversion of individual space or rooms to meet these changing needs.
Sustainable Building Operations and Maintenance Services

Follow these sustainable strategies as your space renovations are complete and the building and interiors are operated in an environmentally sustainable manner. Operations staff should endeavor to establish best practices in energy efficiency, resource conservation, ecologically sensitive products, and other sustainable practices, and implement them.
Under 10,000 SF Interiors Gut Rehab Project

Following are Sustainable Strategies to consider as the space has or will undergo a major tenant gut rehab for projects under 10,000 SF. Note to use a current version of LEED for Commercial Interiors for tenant improvement projects over 10,000 SF. Refer to the Share Section for a represented project Case Study to discover key practices, benefits, results and checklists.
Conducting LCA

The US Department of Energy has developed an LCA report to help evaluate the energy and environmental benefits of LEDs when compared to incandescent and fluorescent lighting. This analysis follows the four steps outlined above. When using LCA to compare equipment, it is important to establish a common unit of performance by which each will be judged.
Materials, Furniture, and Furnishings Replacement

Daily wear and tear means that materials, furniture and furnishings require periodic replacement.
Spatial Equity

Organizations today are less hierarchical and work is more team based, more mobile, and more cross functional. A key to spatial equity is that space layout and workstation standards are based on new ways of working and specific work tasks and business needs rather than organizational hierarchy.
Planning to Build Green

Sustainability "means to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations." Executive Order 13514
LCA Standards, Tools and Resources

ISO 14040:2006 describes the principles and framework for life cycle assessment (LCA) including: definition of the goal and scope of the LCA, the life cycle inventory analysis (LCI) phase, the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phase...
Flexibility

Today's workplaces are often in flux. As organizations change direction or develop new services, people also move. Teams form and re-form. People move to new spaces and take on new responsibilities. The spaces themselves are transformed to meet new needs. These changes are much easier to accommodate, with less stress on people and the organization, when the workplace is designed to support flexibility.

Whole Building Analysis

Materials

Dual-flush Toilets

Dual-flush toilets have two levels of flushing - one for solid waste and a lower flush for liquid waste. There are dual-flush options for both commercial flush valve applications and for tank-type toilets.
Toilet / Shower Accessories

Toilet and shower accessories include soap dispensers, soap dishes, hand dryers, paper towel dispensers, trash cans, etc. These items may contain recycled content if they are made of metal or plastic. Hand dryers allow for drying without using paper products which reduces waste. Although automated paper towel dispensers typically use non-rechargeable batteries, they can also reduce waste by controlling the amount of paper dispensed.
Recycling containers

Recycling bins come in a variety of shapes and sizes to help keep recyclables organized and pest-free. There are large bins for breakroom and copy areas and small bins to be placed under desks. There are aesthetically pleasing bins, carts, and containers designed for all recycling waste streams. There are also bins that are made from recycled materials. Bins may require occasional cleaning to avoid fostering an environment conducive for pests.
Composting Toilets

Composting toilets are not common in commercial buildings; however, they are becoming a more common environmentally preferred option as they are odor-free and use less potable water, if any. Composting toilets use an aerobic process to break down waste by using little or no water. There are two types of composting toilets: self-contained and split units.
Filtration System

Reduce waste by providing water dispensers that filter water. Under-sink water filters and instant hot water dispensers can be incorporated into the sink. Both options may require individual faucets. Have reusable glasses and mugs available for employee use.
Composite Wood

Interior doors are often made of a composite wood core covered with a laminate or wood veneer. Doors made with engineered wood are cheaper than solid wood doors, but may pose indoor air quality problems from emissions in the binders or adhesives. Greener engineered wood alternatives include formaldehyde-free door cores, those that are made of recycled content or made from agricultural waste, such as wheat straw. Additionally, veneers may be made of sustainably grown and harvested wood. These greener alternatives must be explicitly specified, as they are not standard materials.