Abstract
The overexploitation of natural aggregates renders their use in concrete as unsustainable resources. Because of that, researchers have been studying the use of processed aggregates in concrete. However, little has been reported on how using such aggregates affects the building's sustainability in terms of the LEED certification. This study aims to explore the benefits of using green processed lightweight aggregate (PLA) by determining the LEED requirement for Building Design and Construction and providing a comprehensive analysis of LEED credits based on the existing technical materials data. This study focuses more on the environmental benefits and provides analysis on how material properties affect its sustainability in a quantitative measure, which is the LEED scoring. The findings indicate that the use of PLA as a replacement for aggregate in lightweight concrete contributes significantly to 8 points out of 110 required in LEED certification. In addition, the paper provides the guidelines that enable developers and stakeholders in the construction industry to improve the financial and environmental benefits of using recycled materials for building and increase LEED scores toward sustainable development.