USGBC

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is proposing several changes to its LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance Rating System Version 5 (LEED-EB: O+M V5).

The proposed changes, if implemented, could set the industry back significantly and disregard all the hard work, time, resources, and progress our industry has made in improving cleaning effectiveness, reducing cleaning's impact on the environment, and protecting human health.

Fortunately, Version 5 is now open for public comment, allowing industry members to express their views and thoughts about Version 5 directly to the USGBC. 

“The critical issue with Version 5 is that it undervalues cleaning,” says Steve Ashkin, father of green cleaning and the leading advocate for sustainability in the cleaning industry. “This is a disservice to our industry, our customers, and the communities we serve.”

Ashkin goes on to say that while he applauds many of the new initiatives proposed in Version 5, “when it comes to our industry and professional cleaning, we need to work together to improve LEED-EB: O+M V5, address the issues just mentioned along with other shortcomings.” 

Among these shortcomings are the following:  

• Version 5 eliminates the green cleaning prerequisite, which goes back over a decade and has become an established standard in our industry.

• It reduces the number of points earned for green cleaning.

• It does not adequately address social equity issues in our industry.

To learn more, join ISSA and The Ashkin Group for a free webinar on April 22, 2024, at 1 PM Eastern Time. Registration is available here. 

This online seminar will provide a deeper dive into LEED-EB:O+M V5’s implications. It will also discuss how to can voice thoughts about Version 5 and better represent cleaning’s essential roles and the broader social equity considerations, especially for frontline cleaning staff.