LEED v5 Waste: New Rules, New Tools, and What Building Operators Need to Know

LEED v5 represents one of the most meaningful shifts in the rating system in over a decade, particularly in operational waste, materials management, and performance tracking. In this session, Waste2Zero and Rego will explain the practical waste-related changes in LEED v5 for commercial buildings and portfolios. Using waste audit data from major U.S. properties, we will look at current diversion and contamination levels and what operators and sustainability consultants need to change to meet the new standard. We will also explore how the broader waste landscape is changing. Haulers are increasingly charging for contamination, recycling markets continue to evolve, and new technology tools are improving how waste performance is measured and managed. Attendees will learn how audit data, AI-assisted waste tracking, and stronger operational practices can help close the gap between typical diversion rates today and the higher expectations of LEED v5 and modern ESG and EHS reporting.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the key operational waste changes introduced in LEED v5 and how they differ from previous LEED versions.
• Understand how evolving recycling markets, contamination fees, and hauler practices are changing the economics of waste management for building operators.
• Evaluate new tools and technologies, including AI-assisted waste analytics, that can help facilities measure and improve diversion performance.
• Apply practical strategies that facility teams can implement now to improve diversion, reduce contamination, and align with emerging LEED v5 expectations.

This webinar can be self-reported for 1 free general-hour of LEED, WELL, and/or AIA continuing education.