Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool updated to factor in waste management

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool has been updated to factor in the costs and benefits of waste management.

Users can already track energy, water, and greenhouse gas data with the tool. The new feature measures 29 types of waste including building materials, plastic, glass, paper, and other rubbish.

More than 450,000 commercial buildings in the U.S. use the tool, or about 45% of the nation's commercial space. The EPA says that commercial buildings and manufacturing operations make up about 45% of the 150 million tons of waste generated in the U.S. every year.