What is LEED® Certification and why should your cleaning company care?
Going green used to mean simply doing the right thing for the environment through daily business practices. Today, however, it means much more, thanks to government incentives such as the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED®) certification standards.
This program is one of the best known green building initiatives developed by the Council. Designed to encourage and reward sustainable building practices, the “LEED®-certified” seal has become a marketing advantage for building owners and property developers. Keeping abreast of the changing requirements and continuing to meet them is an ongoing business priority for those who participate in the program.
How LEED Certification Works
The USGBC awards points for different types of projects based on documentation, and the point total determines which type of rating the project will receive. Certification requires a minimum of 40-49 points, with additional rankings such as Silver, Gold and Platinum for point totals above 50, 60 and 80, respectively.
Project-specific certifications are also possible. They include:
- LEED-NC for New Construction and Major Renovations
- LEED-EB O&M for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance
- LEED-CI for Commercial Interiors
- LEED-CS for Core & Shell Construction
- LEED® for Schools
- LEED® for Retail
- LEED® for Healthcare
- LEED® for Homes
- LEED® for Neighborhood Development
How Commercial Cleaning Companies Can Help
Cleaning companies can add value for their maintenance and property management clients primarily through the second type of certification, LEED-EB. LEED-EB was introduced in 2004 to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact in existing buildings. It addresses how building maintenance and overall cleaning is performed, including chemical use. It also addresses the presence and effectiveness of recycling programs. Additionally, the regulations measure the environmental impact and sustainability of system upgrades and exterior maintenance programs and routines.
Keeping up-to-date on requirements is easy – simply visit the USGBC's website. A quick search for “cleaning requirements” will provide an overview of the criteria the USGBC uses to evaluate a site. For each entry, the website offers step-by-step guidelines to meet the criteria, so developing a program that will ensure your client meets them is simple.
The site also offers free accounts called LEEDuser accounts. Signup is free and users have access to forums and updates from the Council. It's a great way to connect with others in the LEED® community and to ensure you stay up-to-date on changes in the certification process.
Note: Although maintenance clients are ideal to approach for this type of product offering, construction companies and developers are also obliged to follow requirements for new construction cleanup (including school construction). While the cleaning requirement isn't as significant of a LEED® certification component, if you have existing clients in this sector, it might be worth asking them if they are currently pursuing certification on any of their projects.
What is LEED® Compliant Green Cleaning?
The green cleaning requirements in the LEED® program were developed to encourage a safe and healthy environment for those who live and work in LEED®-certified buildings. A primary component of the criteria is ensuring that environmentally friendly products are used for cleaning, and that the cleaning company uses the mildest effective type of cleaner to do each job. However, the requirements go beyond exchanging harsher chemicals for “greener” ones—they also address the cleaning systems that are in place. Water usage, energy efficiency and indoor air quality are also addressed, which affect cleaning practices. Learn more about green cleaning here.
Your Competitive Advantage
Expertise with LEED® certification cleaning requirements is a competitive advantage for your commercial cleaning business. As the public becomes more familiar with LEED® rankings, clients are more likely to pursue them, and most do not have the time or expertise to train their cleaning company on how to comply. Cleaning companies can also add value by offering to provide the documentation for their clients' certification, and knowing the points assigned to each cleaning task. By offering a turnkey, proven LEED® compliant program, your cleaning business can help your clients reach their goals – making you a partner in their sustainable future and ensuring you retain the maintenance contract for years to come.
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