Why LEED Certification Is Good For Everyone

Jul 2, 2020 | Go Green

What is a LEED Certification?

America made a move to become more environmentally conscious in the 1970s with LEED certification. Interest in recycling and reusing materials, and implementing green building practices is, and has been, encouraged. 

Something you may not be familiar with – a buzzword that ties all of the above together – is LEED Certification. 

Leed, which is short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to set a benchmark for design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. 

In other words, LEED is a green building rating system. Being considered  “green building,” may vary; it can mean different things to different organizations. A widely accepted concept is that green building acknowledges that the built environment (human-made environment) can have major positive and negative effects on the natural environment, along with the people in it. 

This means acknowledging that energy use, water use, indoor environmental quality, material section and a building’s effect on its site are the most prominent considerations for a built environment.

For a building to be LEED-certified, an independent third party has to verify that the building meets specified standards in energy efficiency, air quality, water savings and use of materials that have been recycled or otherwise meet the LEED standards.

LEED is a globally recognized label that means the building and its furnishings save money and energy, but still provide a high degree of functionality. 

5 basic categories of LEED certification

  • Building Design & Construction – Includes standards for new building construction and old buildings being rehabbed.
  • Green Interior Design & Construction – Covers commercial and retail interiors being redesigned as part of a larger building.
  • Green Building Operations & Maintenance – For existing buildings to measure energy efficiency and make improvements.
  • LEED For Homes – Designed for residential use, this program is similar to the Energy Star program for home appliances.
  • LEED For Neighborhood Development – Integrates principles of green design into neighborhood planning. 

RubberForm is proud to be a manufacturer of products made from recycled rubber and plastic. We have built a successful business on recycling millions of scrap rubber tires from landfills. 

It is estimated that there is one used scrap tire generated each year for every person in North America. This devastating amount of waste has become impossible to manage.  

Designing and manufacturing useful products out of this scrap rubber and plastic material is a win for the environment, a win for the consumer, a win for business and a win for future generations.  

Contact us to discuss our full line of recycled products for industrial, commercial and residential uses.  RubberForm can also custom design products per your specific need.

Play your part and buy recycled products made in the USA!