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LEED recognizes sourcing strategies that reduce upstream impacts and improve end-of-life management. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs commit manufacturers to take back products for recycling or responsible processing, shifting incentives toward design for circularity. Requiring EPR in specifications—paired with documentation of chain-of-custody, processing methods, and diversion outcomes—supports MR credit pathways for responsible sourcing and enhances construction waste diversion. This approach complements other transparency tools (EPDs, HPDs) by addressing the product’s full lifecycle, not just disclosures. Relying on undocumented manufacturer claims risks greenwashing and reviewer rejection. Pursuing lowest first cost alone can lock in higher lifecycle impacts and disposal fees. Waiting until demolition overlooks procurement leverage and misses long-lead coordination with recyclers and installers. Specifying verified take-back programs creates predictable logistics, measurable outcomes, and market signals that align with LEED’s emphasis on data-driven, third-party-supported material stewardship.