How to Get LEED Certified (and How GreenWay Can Help)

If you’re planning a construction, renovation, or large-scale commercial project in Chicago, you’ve probably heard of LEED certification — the industry standard for sustainable building. But understanding what LEED is and how to achieve it can feel complex. Here’s a breakdown of what it takes to get certified, and how GreenWay Recycling can help your project meet LEED waste management requirements.

What Is LEED Certification?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized certification developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It’s designed to promote sustainability in building design, construction, and operations. Projects can earn points in several categories, including:

• Sustainable site development

• Water efficiency

• Energy performance

• Materials and resources

• Indoor environmental quality

The total points determine your certification level: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.

Those categories are the familiar LEED v4 ones and they still exist, but LEED v5 — the current version, available for BD+C, ID+C and O+M — organises every credit and prerequisite around three central areas of impact: decarbonisation, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration. Confirm which version your project is registering under, because the prerequisites differ.

How to Get LEED Certified — Step by Step

1. Register Your Project

Visit USGBC.org to register your project. This gives you access to LEED Online, where you’ll manage documentation and track credits.

Budget for the fees at this point, because both are mandatory. A flat registration fee is charged per project and paid up front. A separate certification review fee falls due when you submit, and is based on your project’s gross floor area, the rating system you registered under, and the type of review you select. Both are non-refundable and non-transferable, and USGBC member organisations at Silver, Gold and Platinum level pay discounted rates.

2. Set Sustainability Goals Early

Engage your architect, general contractor, and waste management partner at the planning stage. Early alignment helps you identify achievable LEED credits, such as waste diversion or recycled content materials.

3. Develop a Waste Management Plan

This is one of the most impactful areas for earning LEED points, and what is strictly required depends on which version of LEED your project registers under. Under LEED v4 and v4.1, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning is a prerequisite in its own right. Under LEED v5 that standalone prerequisite has been removed — the plan is now required when you claim points under the Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion credit, which also changes how diversion is counted: mixed C&D sent to a processing facility must be assumed to divert only 35% unless that facility holds USGBC-approved third-party verification of its recycling rates, while salvaged materials are valued at 200%. Either way you will want a Construction Waste Management Plan setting out how materials will be separated, tracked, and diverted from landfills.

Partnering with GreenWay Recycling makes this simple — we provide certified documentation, detailed diversion reports, and reliable recycling for concrete, metals, wood, drywall, shingles, and more.

4. Track and Document Everything

LEED certification requires proof — not just good intentions. Keep records of hauler tickets, weight slips, and monthly diversion summaries. GreenWay’s team provides all necessary documentation to support your LEED submittal.

5. Submit for Review

Once your documentation is complete, submit it through LEED Online and pay the certification review fee. The review is not carried out by USGBC: Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) conducts the technical review, in accordance with the GBCI Verification Protocols, and awards your final score and certification level. USGBC develops the LEED rating system; GBCI administers certification separately from it.

How GreenWay Recycling Helps You Earn LEED Points

✅ Certified waste diversion reports
✅ Recycling of mixed C&D materials
✅ Sorted bins for concrete, metal, wood, and more
✅ LEED consulting and program design
✅ Drop-off or dumpster service options

Whether you’re building new or remodeling, our LEED-compliant recycling programs make it easy to hit your sustainability targets and stay compliant.

Why LEED Certification Matters

Beyond environmental impact, LEED certification offers real business advantages:

• Lower operating costs through efficient design

• Higher property value and marketability

• Eligibility for incentives and tax credits

• Public recognition as a sustainability leader

For Chicago builders, it’s not just about doing what’s right — it’s about building smarter and staying ahead of evolving regulations.

Start Your LEED Project Today

Ready to get started? GreenWay Recycling offers LEED consulting, custom waste diversion plans, and on-site recycling solutions tailored to your project.

📍 Located in the heart of Chicago at 2100 S. Kilbourn Ave.
📞 Call 773-522-0025 or contact us online to discuss your LEED project.

Together, we can build a cleaner, greener Chicago — one project at a time.