ASPHALT TAKES THE “LEED” ON SUSTAINABILITY
The LEED Green Building Rating System serves as a scorecard for the design, construction, and operation of green certified buildings. The type of pavement that is selected (concrete vs. asphalt), alone, can contribute directly to LEED credits
Credits can be earned in the following ways:
Porous asphalt systems can earn credit for storm water management
Light-colored asphalt helps to control the urban heat island effect
The ability to recycle asphalt pavement and the use of asphalt with high percentages of reclaimed asphalt pavement make asphalt eligible for credits under the materials and resources heading
The use of locally produced asphalt pavement material can earn credits for materials and resources
Warm-mix asphalt offers several advantages which support sustainable development
When all these factors are taken into consideration, asphalt pavements can contribute to more LEED credits than other pavement types.