The Center for Zero Waste Design actively contributes thought leadership on the built environment in the development of frameworks, guidelines, and industry standards. The Center also provides critical insight on panels, conferences, and keynote addresses.

AIA Framework for Design Excellence

Director Clare Miflin was part of the working groups that updated sections of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. The framework encourages designers to work towards a healthy, just, resilient, and equitable built environment. The Design for Economy section talks about the need to build less, through reuse or program efficiencies. The Design for Resources section covers design strategies for zero waste operations and for the circular economy, and references the Zero Waste Design Guidelines

LEED for Building Design and Construction

In 2018, the Center developed recommendations to improve the prerequisite requirements in LEED v4.1 to include provisions for separation of organic waste as well as recyclables, as well as to plan for reduction and better management of waste. Director Clare Miflin consulted with and had 13 other professionals in design and waste to sign on in support of her proposal. While the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) decided this was too large a change to include with a version update, the the Zero Waste Design Guidelines and calculator are referenced, and CfZWD has advocated for the change in the upcoming LEED v5.

In the release of LEED v5, the Center’s recommendations have been incorporated including providing dedicated areas for storage of food scraps and organic waste, designing for reusable serviceware, calculating storage areas, and plan for tracking waste generation post-occupancy.

Living Building Challenge

Clare Miflin, director of the Center for Zero Waste Design, presented at Living Future 2023 with panelists Anna Rosenblum (Evolve EA), Mike Gable (Construction Junction), and Darren Spielman (Pennsylvania Resources Council). Following the presentation, panelists held an interactive session with the audience to look into the net positive waste credit and considered how it could be modified.

Back to Advocacy