Waste Performance

Required | 5 possible points

Intent

To support waste management and move towards net zero waste city.

Requirements

CITIES, COMMUNITIES

Measure the total weight of waste (in lbs., kg, or tons) that is generated, and the total weight that is diverted from landfills or incineration for a minimum period of the most recent calendar year. LEED points are based on waste performance in Arc across two metrics:

• Municipal solid waste generated (in metric tons per year per capita)
• Municipal solid waste diverted (% of total generated)

Municipal solid waste generated must include waste generation from all sectors within the city or community including but not limited to residential, institutional, commercial, other sectors and open spaces. Waste to energy may count as waste diversion method if the facility meets European Commission Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC and the European Commission Waste Incineration Directive 2000/76/EC¹⁹.

In addition, cities or communities must demonstrate that reuse and recycling strategies were exhausted before sending material to waste to energy facility. Construction and demolition waste is not included under this credit. Exclude land clearing debris, soil and landscaping materials. Document the assumptions for differing diurnal and seasonal population if varying numbers are used to arrive at waste generation per capita. Obtain a minimum waste performance score of 40. Additional points for this prerequisite are awarded for waste performance scores above 40, according to Table below.

Table 10. Waste Performance Score in Arc and corresponding LEED points 

Waste Performance Score in Arc		Points
Cities	Communities
40	40	Prerequisite
55	52	1
70	64	2
85	76	3
100	88	4
-	100	5

Waste Performance Score

The Waste Performance Score rates the resource consumption and resource use efficiency of the city (waste generated and diverted) against the consumption and efficiency of comparable cities or communities. The score is a value from 1-100 based on the cities’ total weight of waste generated and the total weight of waste diverted from landfills and incineration facilities.

Performance Score Calculation

To calculate the Waste Performance Score, following data is required:

1. Municipal solid waste generated (lbs., kg, or tons)
2. Municipal solid waste diverted (lbs., kg, or tons)
3. Total population of the city or community

¹⁹ These standards consist of performance metrics of both efficiency and emissions for different types of energy recovery systems. In addition, the facility must meet the applicable European standards based on the fuel type. See Referenced Standards for more information on these directives: EN 303-1—1999/A1—2003, Heating boilers with forced draught burners EN 303-2—1998/A1—2003, Heating boilers with forced draught burners EN 303-3—1998/AC—2006, Gas-fired central heating boilers EN 303-4—1999, Heating boilers with forced draught burners EN 303-5—2012, Heating boilers for solid fuels EN 303-6—2000, Heating boilers with forced draught burners EN 303-7—2006, Gas-fired central heating boilers equipped with a forced draught burner

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