Today’s cannabis industry is showing to be extremely resource dependent. No matter if it's grown indoors, in a greenhouse, or naturally sun grown, there are resources and factors that add into the overall cost of cannabis cultivation.
Additionally, many of these demanding resources are non-expendable. These operations require water and energy intensive steps of the cultivation process without giving much back to the environment in return.
In the cannabis world, many legal states seem to speak different languages when it comes to protective environmental regulations and sustainable cultivation practices. Some states have established some sort of cannabis specific regulatory framework for farms and facilities to follow, while others still scramble to construct a foundation for a greener way of growing.
Yet even inside and outside of the cannabis perspective, there happens to be many programs and certifications offered that encourage brands, companies, and buildings around the country to reach a higher level of environmental compliance.
One of these many certifications includes LEED, the most widely used green building rating system in the world. In this blog, we’re breaking down what exactly an LEED certification means for your company, and how Geomat’s Patented cannabis water recovery systems can help increase your overall score.
What Is An LEED Certification?
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This universal certification is fit for all building types and phases - including new construction developments (such as greenhouse or indoor facility design), interior fit-outs, distributions, operations and maintenance. LEED is established to assist facility owners in an easy and measurable way to determine environmental compliance in the workplace.
More specifically, this type of environmental certification concentrates on five key areas of environmental health - energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, selection of materials, sustainable site construction development, and conservation of water.
Projects and buildings reaching the goal of LEED certification are able to save money, improve efficiency, create a healthier work environment, and reduce carbon emissions.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Board of Directors, “These are all a critical part of addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting equity in communities.”
In order to achieve LEED certification, a project or company must earn points by following the listed prerequisites and credits that address areas of environmental protection and concern. This LEED qualification is broadly organized by the following:
Integrative process
Location and transportation
Sustainable sites
Water
Energy
Materials and resources
Indoor environmental quality
In comparison to LEED certification with other agricultural farms, commercial cannabis cultivation is no different. Many of the same natural resources are constantly being used, especially in indoor and mixed lighting facilities.
How LEED Certification Works
The USGBC also says that LEED defines "a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.” Projects working to achieve LEED points and certification must go through a verification process and ranking system through the USGBC board.
This point system is determined based on the number of green, or environmentally sustainable and compliant factors in your facility.
To be LEED certified, a project must earn 40-49 points. Silver certification is for projects reaching 50-59 points. Gold certification 60-79, while anything 80+ points is considered Platinum.
LEED doesn’t simply focus on one specific aspect of green and sustainable practices. Instead, the certification was established to consider the big picture that factors into the critical elements needed to create these buildings and facilities.
Overall, just like the many factors that contribute to LEED certifications, there are many desired goals that companies and buildings aim to achieve:
Enhance and elevate the health and safety of workplace community and humans
Protect and restore water resources
Reduce contribution to global climate change
Protect and enhance biodiversity and surrounding ecosystems
Promote sustainable and regenerative practices and material cycles
5 Ways To Increase Your LEED Score
There are many simple steps and actions cannabis and agricultural facilities and farms can implement to reduce harmful impacts on the environment. Check out these five tips to help increase your LEED score and overall sustainability:
1. Build With The Right Team.
Find a community and create a conversation about the many different ways your company can go about reaching environmental compliance. Start brainstorming early with an architect or LEED/sustainability consultant. Each and every person you come across in your project planning should be able to understand the goals of your sustainable project.
2. Constantly Save Energy Where You Can.
Offset any unnecessary energy costs with vacancy sensory lights or reflective roof coating insulation. Think of the many different sources of energy your facility uses on a day to day basis, and how exactly that can be minimized…especially when not actively in use.
3. Encourage a Greener Community.
A sustainable work experience starts off with an encouraging sustainable community! Talk to your coworkers and community members about their thoughts and insights on environmental compliance, including any ideas or practices they personally implement.
4. Establish an Environment of Wellness
On average, many cultivators and farmers spend an immense amount of time in the workplace, especially during certain phases of the plant’s life cycle. You can ensure your workplace is safe and protected for your workers through quality ventilation systems that can minimize the chance of inhaling any harmful air toxins.
5. Make Every Drop Count.
Consider an efficient and comprehensive water saving strategy tailored to your cannabis facility. This includes irrigation techniques, collection of interior potable water use (for restrooms and drinking fountains), and formation of any water runoff or wastewater.
Going Green with GEOMAT
Minimizing water use in cannabis cultivation not only reduces the impact on the environment, but it could also help growers comply with state and municipal regulations, as well as reduce costly water bills.
More importantly, reducing and recycling your water resource can allow your company to spare the headache of environmental regulation fees and restrictions and positively impact your LEED certification and points.
With Geomat, buildings and facilities can actively increase their LEED score with our Patented cannabis water recovery systems. Through our closed-loop systems, all wastewater and water runoff formed in operations can be reused and recycled. This helps to not only cut back on overall water resources used in these operations, but can positively impact the environment and increase your LEED score.
Our systems proudly are EPA and OSHA approved, meeting all environmental standards, regulations, and the Clean Water Act.
Learn how Geomat can help your operation reach environmental compliance through our website. Ask about our free eBook, “Increase Your LEED Score with Geomat” to learn more!