The Ashkin Group: What Does LEED Certification Mean To You?

Steve Ashkin

Since the program began in 1998, there have been over 70,000 LEED-certified buildings in the United States, a testament to its widespread influence. Chances are most people have entered a facility and have seen a sign or inscription indicating that the facility is “LEED-certified.”

LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Program, stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.” Today, it is the world’s most widely used green building rating system.

However, The Ashkin Group President and CEO Steve Ashkin, an advocate for Green Cleaning and sustainability in the professional cleaning and building industries, has been curious about what seeing the LEED-certified inscription on a building means to people.

To find out, The Ashkin Group conducted a week-long survey on LinkedIn. Those participating were asked the following: “What’s the first thought that comes into your mind when walking into a building that says it has been LEED-certified?”

The following were the responses:

• More than 64 percent responded that it indicates a facility’s “commitment to sustainability.”
• 22 percent indicated that walking into a LEED-certified property means “it uses less water and energy” than comparable buildings.
• 13 percent of the respondents answered that when they walk into a LEED-certified facility, it means the owners and managers have taken steps to “protect occupant health.”

Of note, according to LinkedIn, those who viewed or participated in the survey were from:

• Larger companies with 10,000 employees or more.
• Held C-level positions such as President, CEO, or company owner.
• Were from the “facility services,” “chemical manufacturing,” and “product manufacturing” industries.

“A takeaway I have from the survey is that whatever the first thought people have when walking into a LEED-certified building, it appears we all agree that without question, being LEED-certified is a ‘stamp of approval,’” Ashkin said. “However, for me, what comes to my mind first when I see that inscription is that the facility is designed and operated to protect human health. To me, that is first and foremost.”

The Ashkin Group is a consulting firm dedicated to promoting environmentally friendly cleaning practices and sustainability. For more information, visit ashkingroup.com.