You’ve probably heard of LEED in a newspaper article, architecture magazine or through your friend in the development world. But what exactly is LEED and how does it work?

First the basics. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This third-party certification program is an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. In other words, in order to become LEED certified, a building must meet certain requirements in the way it is designed, constructed and operated.

To be awarded points, LEED certified buildings must promote sustainability through amenities and processes like energy-efficient lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, collection of storm water, efficient heating and cooling systems, recycled construction materials and energy-efficient appliances just to name a few.

Leed.net writes, “More and more legislation is being passed that impacts not only zoning but environmental impact for new construction. LEED New Construction certification and Energy Star ratings seem to be the future of construction projects. It’s important to not only build beautiful buildings but buildings that are energy efficient, healthy for their occupants to exist within and that they not harm the environment.” We couldn’t agree more.

In early June, Green Coast Rubbish undertook the demolition/deconstruction of one of Vancouver development leaders ONNI’s sale centers located just outside of downtown Vancouver. In order to meet ONNI’s LEED requirements, a diversion rate of 70% had to be met. We blew past that minimum rate with a total diversion rate of 83.1% for the 8.72 tonnes of material that was removed. In total, Green Coast Rubbish recycled the following materials 100%:

• 4.07 tonnes of drywall
• .87 tonnes of wood
• 1.23 tonnes of metal
• 1.2 tonnes of tile
• Total recycled content = 7.46 tonnes
• All kitchen and bathroom cabinets, fixtures, sinks, as well as the bathroom bathtub and toilet were salvaged and donated for reuse.

Here are a few photos from that week long project.