LEED 2009 To Reduce Cleaning Credits

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 2009 rating system has passed member ballot and will be introduced in 2009.

This updated version of LEED includes a number of technical advancements aimed to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and address other environmental and human health concerns.

Credits have been re-weighed to reflect climate change and energy efficiency as urgent. As a result, three green cleaning credits have been removed from the certification. The three credits previously available for purchasing sustainable products including chemicals, paper and can liners, have been condensed into a single credit. Also, only one credit is now available for meeting the “Custodial Effectiveness Assessment” instead of two.

LEED 2009 will also incorporate regional credits, extra points that have been identified as priorities within a project’s given environmental zone.

The program incorporates eight years of market and user feedback in Credit Interpretation Rulings that will ensure clarity for project teams.

Green Seal Develops Partnership Program

Green Seal, Washington, D.C., has developed the Green Facilities Partnership to recognize and provide assistance to organizations looking to implement environmentally preferable operations and maintenance practices.

Groups can be recognized as either a Green Facilities Partner, Green Facilities Leader or Green Facilities Champion, but the applicants can achieve higher levels of partnership beyond Green Facilities Partner level based on the organization’s timeline. Recognition is based on how well an organization implements a plan based on particular opportunities and challenges. The partnership is not a standard-based certification program.

To apply, applicants provide Green Seal with current categorized data such as janitorial services, along with administrative policies and procedures. The applicant designs a Green Facilities Action Plan, including benchmarks and deadlines to be approved by Green Seal. When the application is accepted, Green Seal will officially recognize the applicant as a Green Facilities Partner and is touted in promotional material issued by Green Seal.

As a partner, the organization is responsible for submitting quarterly progress reports to Green Seal, which in turn will formally review the partner’s progress on an annual basis. At that time the plan will be reviewed and updated or revised if necessary.