Pollock Paper Distributors can help you affect up to 18 points with products, procedures, training and LEED Accredited Professionals.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a standard-setting organization focused on the rapidly growing green building industry, was formed to address the significant impacts of building design and operation on human health and the natural environment. It is a coalition of leaders from all segments of the building industry, including building owners and managers, architects and engineers, builders, building service contractors, product manufacturers, insurance companies and all levels of government.

The USGBC began development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) rating system, a complete set of assessment tools to promote sustainable building design, construction and operations practices. LEED is voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven standards designed to raise consumer awareness of green building benefits, encourage environmental leadership in the building industry, and promote certification of high-performance, sustainable buildings nationwide.

LEED standards are currently available or under development for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals in a variety of green building areas:

• LEED-EB Existing building operations
• LEED-NC New construction and major renovation projects
• LEED-CI Commercial and interior projects
• LEED-CS Core and shell projects
• LEED-H Standards for single-family and low-rise multi- family residences
• LEED-ND Neighborhood development
• LEED-R Retail development
• LEED-M Hospitals, clinics and other medical buildings

Benefits of a “GREEN” Building

Environmental - enhance and protect ecosystems, improve air and water quality, reduce solid waste, conserve natural resources and decreases greenhouse gases.

Economic - Reduce operating costs, enhance asset value and profits, improve employee productivity and satisfaction. Utilities, state, federal agencies and other sources are providing financial incentives and rebates for facilities adopting LEED measures. Potentially receive a higher lease rate from occupants concerned with the environment and healthy working conditions.

Health and Safety - Enhance occupant comfort, safety and health.

Community - Minimize the strain on local infrastructures (water treatment, utilities and health care facilities and costs) and improve quality of life. Facilities are recognized as a well-run and well-managed building.

Criteria to earn LEED Certification Points

Sustainable Sites
Minimize the exterior’s impact on the environment through use of proper maintenance equipment, plantings, pest control, landscape waste, irrigation management, fertilizer, snow removal, cleaning of building exterior, paints and sealants.

Indoor Environmental Quality
Proper entryway matting, including maintenance program. Proper construction of janitor closets with dilution control devices. Use of chemical concentrates, dilution control and employee training. Low impact pest management. Use of proper cleaning equipment and maintenance program.

Materials and Resources
Environmental purchasing program for cleaning products that meet Green Seal (GS) 37 and GS 40 standards and disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags that meet the EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. Occupant program recycling 30%-50% of total waste recycling, plus 95% collection and recycling of batteries and fluorescent light bulbs.

Water Efficiency
Maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on local water supply and waste-water systems. Examples would be automatic faucets, auto flush systems and waterless urinals.

Energy and Atmosphere
Support appropriate operation and maintenance of buildings so they continue to deliver target building performance goals. Examples would be hands free restrooms and training custodians how to clean HVAC filters and vents.

Innovation
New technologies and products are being developed every day that affect building operation and maintenance. LEED recognizes projects for adopting new innovations that produce additional environmental benefits beyond those already addressed in other areas.

How Do I Get LEED Certified?

Once the commitment is made, there are many ways to proceed down the path to becoming LEED certified. To begin, the building owner must register with the USGBC and provide specific information such as a site plan, floor plans, etc. for tracking the building project. Documentation is provided, reviewed and credits are interpreted by the USGBC Council. The total process can take up to one year, and fees are based on the size of the facility.

The best way to begin, is to contact your Pollock Sales Professional who can connect you with our LEED Professionals. These associates are well versed in the process, documentation, and other needs associated with attaining LEED certification.

Pollock Paper Distributors is positioned to assist your team in the pursuit and achievement of LEED certification.