- Sustainability and PCI
- Learn about the efforts of PCI and its members to become more sustainable
- Precast Concrete and Sustainable Design
- Learn about the benefits of precast concrete
- LEED Resources
- Find out how precast can contribute toward LEED and other green building rating systems
- The Building Envelope
- Precast concrete, the building envelope, and energy savings
- PCI Certification
- Learn about the industry’s most respected measure of quality and professional assurance
- Case Studies
- Projects that have used precast concrete to assist in achieving their sustainable design goals
- Life-Cycle Assessment
- Study of the environmental impact of precast concrete
- Educational Resources
- Schedule a seminar or box-lunch program
- Resources
- Frequently asked questions, terminology, links, and more
- News
LEED Resources
Precast concrete can contribute toward LEED and other green building rating systems in many ways. LEED certification has six different categories in which projects may earn points as summarized in the chart below.
Precast concrete has the most potential to help earn points in the Materials and Resources category because it uses recycled content, such as slag, fly ash, silica fume, and recycled steel reinforcing bar. It is generally made from materials that are extracted and manufactured locally with reusable formwork.
Precast Concrete Potential Points*
| LEED Category | Credit or Prerequisite | Potential Points |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable sites | Credit 5.1: Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat | 1 |
| Sustainable sites | Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect—Nonroof | 1 |
| Energy and atmosphere | Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance | — |
| Energy and atmosphere | Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance | 1–19 |
| Materials and resources | Credit 2: Construction Waste Management | 12 |
| Materials and resources | Credit 4: Recycled Content | 12 |
| Materials and resources | Credit 5: Regional Materials | 12 |
| Indoor environmental quality | Credit 3.1: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan—During Construction | 1 |
| Innovation in design | Credit 1: Innovation in Design | 15 |
| Innovation in design | Credit 2: LEED Accredited Professional | 1 |
*A number of credits are interrelated and it may be necessary to choose the credits for which the points apply.
Note: Scoring system: Certified, 40–49 points; Silver, 50–59 points; Gold, 60–79 points; Platinum, 80+ points.
To explore in more detail how precast concrete can contribute toward LEED and other green building rating systems, refer to Designer’s Notebook: Sustainability.