When adding a planted roof, consider the management of construction materials as well as the ongoing maintenance and management of planted roof materials. During construction, ensure there is adequate drainage to prevent erosion of the growing media from stormwater. In areas of the roof that are not adequately covered with vegetation and may be vulnerable to wind erosion, consider installing an erosion blanket or mat. If the planted roof is accessible to occupants, provide recycling containers and waste receptacles and educate occupants about proper disposal to keep trash off the planted parts of the roof. Operations and maintenance personnel should be trained on the cleaning and maintenance procedure for planted roofs so as to minimize waste.
System Bundling
System Bundling is a list of ideas for creating projects that combine high value activities to achieve efficiencies and cost savings. Bundling activities typically involve action at the intersection of two or more whole building systems such as Solid Waste and Lighting. System Bundling considers multiple related programs simultaneously, like managing Cafeteria composting and recycling contracts.
Building systems and technologies work best when they work together, and your building can operate more efficiently and potentially cost less up front when considering the impact of systems on each other. The success of a solid waste management plan depends on the education and training of occupants and custodial staff; the procurement of products and materials that may later be discarded; and the planning, design, and ventilation of material collection areas. When specifying or replacing a component of the solid waste system, consider bundling that component with others to deliver the largest beneficial impacts and greatest return on investment. For example, the collection and storage of materials for recycling may require additional ventilation to maintain the desired IEQ. Leverage this section to understand whole building synergies and explore which technologies and components might best be bundled together.
Solid Waste and IEQ
Ensure that spaces designated for centralized collection of waste and recycling are ventilated adequately and that all waste and recycling collection equipment is cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Special care must be taken to control pests and odors. Ensure routine collection from compost containers, which should be air-tight (some have carbon filter lids) to prevent unwanted odors and pests. Consider spaces where sensitive activities take place or that serve vulnerable populations, such as Child Care Centers. Ensure these spaces are located a safe distance away from centralized collection of waste and recycling and that these areas do not share common space or HVAC systems.
Landscaping: Conserving Water and Reducing Waste
Planting vegetation that has minimal demand for water (xeriscaping), as appropriate for site conditions and climate, as well as reduced need for fertilizers and pesticides, can simultaneously reduce the amount of landscape organic waste generated. Recovering landscape trimmings, for use as compost or mulch, also reduces the need for irrigation and conserves water.
Sustainable Sites Initiative. The Sustainable Sites Initiative: Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009.
Guidance for Federal Agencies on Sustainable Practices for Designed Landscapes
Solid Waste and Lighting
When upgrading your lighting system, consider the bulb lifespan and the waste stream generated by burnt-out bulbs. Fluorescent tube lamps and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) require special handling due to their mercury content, which is not released when the bulbs are intact or in use but can be released when a CFL is broken during disposal. Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps do not contain mercury and are not considered hazardous waste but may contain small amounts of other heavy metals like arsenic and lead. All bulbs should be recycled to recover the glass, metal, and plastic they contain.
Cafeteria, Composting, and Recycling Contracts
Ensure agreement between your food service team's goals and your waste diversion targets by aligning the terms of your contracts for managing the cafeteria (sometimes referred to as concessions or food service), composting, and recycling. When making changes to one contract, consider the impact on others, such as what items are acceptable and unacceptable for recycling and composting and the proper disposal methods.
Waste Management and Occupant Education and Engagement
Human behavior can contribute to system efficiencies and ongoing education and training of occupants and custodial staff, as well as consistent and easy-to-understand signage, is key to a successful waste diversion program. Green Teams can advance these efforts by educating fellow occupants and promoting sustainable practices Obtaining the active participation of building occupants coupled with recycling, compost and waste containers that are labeled consistently, with pictures, to help occupants sort materials in the appropriate containers is key to a successful waste diversion program. Coordinate with the recycling hauler and composting service to develop the appropriate signage (tenants in leased facilities should coordinate with the landlord or facility manager). Consider integrating recycling, composting, and other waste diversion efforts into the onboarding process for new employees. Clearly communicate waste diversion goals, measure recycling and composting rates, and share waste diversion data with occupants. Provide a means for occupants to report issues so corrective action can be taken.