Evaluation of LEED-certified office buildings in Turkey in terms of sustainable material use

Abstract

Environmental issues such as ozone depletion, global warming, water pollution, and melting glaciers in the polar regions have been exacerbated by industrial and chemical activities, as the Industrial Revolution led to unlimited use of our limited natural resources. Approaches have been developed to solve human and environmental health problems. Efforts are underway to minimize the adverse effects of buildings on the environment. This process helps reduce materials' environmental damage and select environmentally friendly materials. For these reasons, producing recyclable, ecologically friendly, and energy-saving materials has gained importance. This article used a case study method to analyze sustainable material usage using twenty LEED-certified office projects in Turkey. Twenty new buildings, including Certificate One, Silver Three, Gold Eight, and Platinum Eight, have been evaluated regarding sustainable materials according to LEED criteria. Tables containing material and resource application principles have been created to assess the selected buildings in terms of sustainable material principles, and these prepared tables provide information about sustainable material use. The evaluation is based on eight criteria and sources of LEED material, including recyclable materials, renewable materials, rapidly renewable, certified wood, regional materials, construction waste management, and re-use of materials. As a result of the study, it was determined that 95% to 75% of the five categories with the weakest application among the eight basic materials and resource principles failed to be below the desired level and should be improved.