BU’s First LEED Platinum Building

In the summer of 2023, the Center for Computing & Data Sciences (CCDS) achieved LEED Platinum, the highest rating possible through the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) rating system. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a globally recognized symbol of excellence in green building design and construction. The project achieved 10 points over the threshold for Platinum, furthering the many sustainable points of pride in its design. With the addition of the Center for Computing & Data Sciences to the University’s LEED portfolio, BU now has 23 LEED-certified buildings and spaces on campus totaling 1.8 million square feet.

TRUE Zero Waste Certification Process

In addition to the Center being a fossil fuel- and carbon-free building, it was also designed for Zero Waste. The work in the building to achieve Zero Waste is part of the broader University goal to achieve 90% waste diversion from landfills and incinerators by 2030.

To validate the Zero Waste programming run in the building, Boston University is pursuing TRUE Zero Waste Certification, a program through the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). The University’s Climate Action and Zero Waste Plans recommend implementing the TRUE system to verify our achievements through third-party review. In the fall of 2023, BU achieved TRUE pre-certification for the CCDS building, a recognition of the hard work and programming that has gone into building operations, maintenance, and occupant behavior. To achieve full certification, the University must show it has diverted over 90% of the waste generated in the building from landfills and incinerators, with waste bin contamination rates below 10%.

Integrating Data into Our Zero Waste Strategy

To help the University achieve TRUE Zero Waste Certification, BU is working with Spare-It, a Boston-based waste intelligence platform that provides real-time data on the waste collected in the building. Utilizing sensors in each of the building’s 234 waste bins, BU Sustainability can analyze the contents and contaminants going into each trash, recycling, and food waste bin. Members of the BU Sustainability team take photos to help track contamination. This data is publicly available throughout the building and is being used in classes within the Faculty for Computing & Data Sciences, along with project teams at BU Spark.

Operating a Fossil Fuel-Free Building

From well before the building officially opened, BU has been learning about how to operate this unique fossil fuel-free tower. To help achieve this, BU has dedicated a full-time building engineer dedicated to the operations of the building and its geothermal heating and cooling system. With hundreds of data points throughout the building, University staff are able to track efficiency of building systems and address issues quickly.