Add the following language for the new option 2: "Building materials or products shipped by rail or water have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured within a 500 mile (800 kilometer) total travel distance of the project site using a weighted average determined through the following formula: (Distance by rail/3) + (Distance by inland waterway/2) + (Distance by sea/15) + (Distance by all other means) ≤ 500 miles [800 kilometers]"
See all forum discussions about this credit »
Credit achievement rate
XX%
Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »
LEEDuser expert
Jon Clifford
GREENSQUARE
LEED-AP BD+C
LEEDuser’s viewpoint
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Use building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within a specified distance of the project site for a minimum of 10% or 20%, based on cost, of the total materials value. If only a fraction of a product or material is extracted, harvested, or recovered and manufactured locally, then only that percentage (by weight) must contribute to the regional value. The minimum percentage regional materials for each point threshold is as follows:
See all forum discussions about this credit »What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I include mechanical, electrical and plumbing components in this credit? What if I consistently include MEP materials in the calculations for all of the MR credits I’m attempting?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
We are pursuing IEQc4.5 as an ID credit. Are we thus required to include the cost of furniture in MRc3–7?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What if different parts of a product are manufactured at different locations?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What is the purpose of the newly added Option 2? Can I pursue both options?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do we account for materials using the new Option 2 equation?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
With steel and aluminum products, why do I often get review comments questioning why my extraction distance is the same as my manufacture distance?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Addenda
7/6/2012 – Updated: 3/14/2017
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/1/2016 – Updated: 12/2/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
Calculator Tab:
Updated Regional Materials comment to clarify that only one distance value needs to be entered
Allow format cell and insert comments on locked version of calculator tab
Updated regional material option titles to include BD+C
Updated Regional Materials Column S to “Select Option Below”
ID+C Example Tab:
Updated Option dropdown names and comment bubble under regional materials
Updated Regional Materials comment to clarify that only one distance value needs to be entered
Allow format cell and insert comments on locked version of calculator tab
Updated regional material option titles to include BD+C
Updated Regional Materials Column S to “Select Option Below”
ID+C Example Tab:
Updated Option dropdown names and comment bubble under regional materials
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/8/2016 – Updated: 5/4/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
added ID+C example tab and additional instructions.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/15/2016 – Updated: 4/7/2016
Form Update
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Replace "500 miles (800 kilometers)" with "a specified distance"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/19/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Following the third paragraph and before Table 2, insert the following section text:Recycled MaterialsRecycled materials that satisfy the requirements of MR Credit 4may also contribute to MR Credit 5. The extraction point forrecycled materials is the location of the raw material prior to themanufacturing of the final building product. As such, the point ofextraction could include a recycling facility, scrap yard, depository,stockpile, or any other location where the material was collectedand packaged for market purchase before manufacturing. It is notnecessary to track the origin of the raw material before it arrived atthe point of extraction.The point of manufacture for recycled material products is thelocation of the final finished product manufacturer. However, ifproducts are manufactured at multiple locations then all steps ofthe manufacturing process(s) must be within the 500 mile radius ofthe project site in order to qualify for MR Credit 5. In such asituation the point of manufacture should be listed as the locationfarthest from the project site.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The sentence about mechanical equipment should read: "Mechanical, electrical and plumbing components and specialty items such as elevators and equipment must not be included in all calculations."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
5/9/2011 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Note the following addenda under \'Calculating Materials Costs to Achieve MR Credits\' on page 337:Add the following after "...Furniture and Furnishings as long as this is done consistently across all MR credits.", "Exclude artwork, interior plants, and musical instruments."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add "OPTION 1"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
2/1/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Replace the "-" with "="
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add the following language for the new option 1: "All building materials or products have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured within a 500 mile (800 kilometer) radius of the project site."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/19/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Insert the term "Extraction, harvest or recovery point" in alphabetical order with the accompanying text "Extraction, harvest or recovery point refers to the location of raw materials prior to manufacturing of the building material or product that is furnished and installed in the project building."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Delete the Alternative Compliance Path for Projects Outside the U.S.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Following the third paragraph and before Table 2, insert the following section text:Recycled MaterialsRecycled materials that satisfy the requirements of MR Credit 4may also contribute to MR Credit 5. Use the location from whichthe material was collected or deposited as the point of extraction.In most cases this will be a recycling facility or scrap yard.Disregard the original source of the material. Use the location ofthe new product manufacturer as the point of manufacture. In somecases the recycling facility may also be the manufacturer.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add "OR""OPTION 2"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Move the second and third paragraphs of the section (in order) to the space before the title "Reused and Salvaged Materials"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/19/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Remove the first paragraph: The point of manufacture is considered the place if final assemblyof components into the building product that is furnished andinstalled by tradesworkers. For example, if the hardware comesfrom Dallas, and lumber comes from Vancouver, and the joist isassembled in Kent, Washington, then the location of the finalassembly is Kent, Washington.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-CSv2.0
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-CIv2.0
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals. Applicable Internationally.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-Schools
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Can a rural project earn MRc5 if materials are manufactured slightly outside of 500 miles in order to obtain construction material with more sustainable features?
Ruling:
No, the project\'s request for a waiver due to its remote location is not acceptable. The site\'s remote location does not reduce the environmental impact resulting from the transportation of material which is the intent of the credit. Applicable internationally.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
2/25/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Our project is a 9 million SF Graduate University located 60 km North of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The University will be dedicated to the research of alternative fuels and renewable energy. The entire campus will be New Construction on a Greenfield site and will consist of research labs, lab support areas, administration buildings, a library, a commons building, food service, an auditorium, conference rooms, lecture halls, offices and public areas. Regionally manufactured building materials are not readily available due to the project location and unoccupied nature of certain areas of Saudi Arabia. Only a small portion of the building materials can be obtained within 500 miles. As a result, a good majority of the materials that will be acquired for the project will be delivered by sea from adjacent countries. Similar conditions exist in Canada. The unoccupied regions of Canada influence the availability of building materials and methods to transport those materials. These conditions have allowed the Canadian LEED rating system to implement a larger distance allowance for the regional materials Credit. Different modes of transport have different fuel efficiencies in transporting goods. LEED Canada-NC 1.0 acknowledges these differences by extending the permissible transportation distance to 1500 miles for those goods transported by rail or by ship. Truck - 2127 KJ/ton*km Rail road - 373 KJ/ton*km Shipping - 138 KJ/ton*km The intent of this Credit is to "reduce the environmental impacts resulting from transportation." The above transport options show significant reduction in energy and fossil fuel use for rail and boat transport. Due to the project site conditions and site transport options, our project is seeking interpretation to use the Canadian requirements for the Regional Materials Credits. The Canadian requirements can be found below. Please advise on our project\'s ability to use this interpretation. Canadian LEED NC 1.0 Regional Materials Requirements Use a minimum of 10% / 20% of building materials or products for which at least 80% of the mass is extracted, processed and manufactured within 800 km (500 miles) of the project site. OR Use a minimum of 10% / 20% of building materials or products for which at least 80% of the mass is extracted, processed and manufactured within 2400 km (1500 miles) of the project site, and shipped by rail or water. OR Use a minimum of 10% / 20% of building materials or products that reflect a combination of the above extraction, processing, manufacturing and shipping criteria (e.g., 5% within 800 km (500 miles) and 5% shipped by rail within 2400 km (1500 miles)).
Ruling:
This CIR is requesting that the project be permitted to substitute the existing MRc5 credit requirements with those found in the Canadian Green Building Council LEED Rating System. The CAGBC LEED requirement allows for materials to be harvested from a larger area (1500 mile radius) if it reaches the site by lower emission transportation (ship and rail.) While the proposal certainly aims to reduce the environmental impacts resulting from material transportation, it does not address the portion of the credit aimed at supporting the use of indigenous materials. Furthermore, the CAGBC LEED rating system has been developed specifically for the Canadian construction and transportation industries, and it may not be appropriate to use it in place of the USGBC requirements as applied on this Jeddah, Saudi Arabia site. However, the intent of the project to reduce the emissions associated with the transportation of materials is commendable and should be pursued as an innovation point. As such, the credit submission should include a narrative explaining local common practices for transport of materials and how this strategy surpasses those for environmental benefit. Resources on past innovation points that have been pursued for Life Cycle Analysis can be found in the Innovation in Design Credit Catalog, issued on 12/7/07. The USGBC also anticipates that credit requirements for comprehensive carbon emission reduction on a building project will be available by the end of the year. If the construction schedule permits, this could be an option for the project to receive credit for their efforts. Applicable Internationally; Canada; Saudi Arabia.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-NCv2.1
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-NCv2.2
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The proposed project site is located on a military base that has potentially unexploded ordnance on-site.Protection from potential detonation during construction is required by the federal government to shield pedestrians and existing housing across the street from the project site. As a part of the project, a detonation barrier is to be constructed prior to start of excavation. This barrier can be built using various material but must have substantial foundations and structural strength to withstand large explosion forces. After construction is completed, the detonation barriers would be deconstructed to allow access to the site.The project team is proposing to incorporate salvaged local material into the design of these barrier walls. May the salvaged material qualify for MR credit 5 for regional material, MR credit 4 for recycled content?
Ruling:
The project team has inquired whether materials used for a temporary (during construction) detonation barrier can be included within the project material cost accounting since it is mandated to be built, particularly as it relates to recycled content, local material content, and construction waste management. No, the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building and Construction 2009 Edition Materials and Resources credits 3, 4, 5,and 6 "Include only materials permanently installed in the project" temporarily installed materials are considered equipment and cannot be included in MR Credits 3-6.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
Checklists
Step by step to LEED certification
LEEDuser’s checklists walk you through the key action steps you need to earn a credit, including how to avoid common pitfalls and save money.
Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
Get the inside scoop
Our editors have written a detailed analysis of nearly every LEED credit, and LEEDuser premium members get full access. We’ll tell you whether the credit is easy to accomplish or better left alone, and we provide insider tips on how to document it successfully.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Use building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within a specified distance of the project site for a minimum of 10% or 20%, based on cost, of the total materials value. If only a fraction of a product or material is extracted, harvested, or recovered and manufactured locally, then only that percentage (by weight) must contribute to the regional value. The minimum percentage regional materials for each point threshold is as follows:
XX%
Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »
Got the gist of MRc5 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:
- Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
- Hot tips to give you shortcuts and avoid pitfalls.
- Cost tips to assess what a credit will actually cost, and how to make it affordable.
- Ideas for going beyond LEED with best practices.
- All checklists organized by project phase.
- On-the-fly suggestions of useful items from the Documentation Toolkit and Credit Language.
In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
Why can’t I include mechanical, electrical and plumbing components in this credit? What if I consistently include MEP materials in the calculations for all of the MR credits I’m attempting?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
We are pursuing IEQc4.5 as an ID credit. Are we thus required to include the cost of furniture in MRc3–7?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What if different parts of a product are manufactured at different locations?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What is the purpose of the newly added Option 2? Can I pursue both options?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do we account for materials using the new Option 2 equation?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
With steel and aluminum products, why do I often get review comments questioning why my extraction distance is the same as my manufacture distance?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
7/6/2012 – Updated: 3/14/2017
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Add the following language for the new option 2: "Building materials or products shipped by rail or water have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured within a 500 mile (800 kilometer) total travel distance of the project site using a weighted average determined through the following formula: (Distance by rail/3) + (Distance by inland waterway/2) + (Distance by sea/15) + (Distance by all other means) ≤ 500 miles [800 kilometers]"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/1/2016 – Updated: 12/2/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
Calculator Tab:
Updated Regional Materials comment to clarify that only one distance value needs to be entered
Allow format cell and insert comments on locked version of calculator tab
Updated regional material option titles to include BD+C
Updated Regional Materials Column S to “Select Option Below”
ID+C Example Tab:
Updated Option dropdown names and comment bubble under regional materials
Updated Regional Materials comment to clarify that only one distance value needs to be entered
Allow format cell and insert comments on locked version of calculator tab
Updated regional material option titles to include BD+C
Updated Regional Materials Column S to “Select Option Below”
ID+C Example Tab:
Updated Option dropdown names and comment bubble under regional materials
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/8/2016 – Updated: 5/4/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
added ID+C example tab and additional instructions.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/15/2016 – Updated: 4/7/2016
Form Update
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Replace "500 miles (800 kilometers)" with "a specified distance"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/19/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Following the third paragraph and before Table 2, insert the following section text:Recycled MaterialsRecycled materials that satisfy the requirements of MR Credit 4may also contribute to MR Credit 5. The extraction point forrecycled materials is the location of the raw material prior to themanufacturing of the final building product. As such, the point ofextraction could include a recycling facility, scrap yard, depository,stockpile, or any other location where the material was collectedand packaged for market purchase before manufacturing. It is notnecessary to track the origin of the raw material before it arrived atthe point of extraction.The point of manufacture for recycled material products is thelocation of the final finished product manufacturer. However, ifproducts are manufactured at multiple locations then all steps ofthe manufacturing process(s) must be within the 500 mile radius ofthe project site in order to qualify for MR Credit 5. In such asituation the point of manufacture should be listed as the locationfarthest from the project site.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The sentence about mechanical equipment should read: "Mechanical, electrical and plumbing components and specialty items such as elevators and equipment must not be included in all calculations."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
5/9/2011 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Note the following addenda under \'Calculating Materials Costs to Achieve MR Credits\' on page 337:Add the following after "...Furniture and Furnishings as long as this is done consistently across all MR credits.", "Exclude artwork, interior plants, and musical instruments."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add "OPTION 1"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
2/1/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Replace the "-" with "="
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add the following language for the new option 1: "All building materials or products have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured within a 500 mile (800 kilometer) radius of the project site."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/19/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Insert the term "Extraction, harvest or recovery point" in alphabetical order with the accompanying text "Extraction, harvest or recovery point refers to the location of raw materials prior to manufacturing of the building material or product that is furnished and installed in the project building."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Delete the Alternative Compliance Path for Projects Outside the U.S.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Following the third paragraph and before Table 2, insert the following section text:Recycled MaterialsRecycled materials that satisfy the requirements of MR Credit 4may also contribute to MR Credit 5. Use the location from whichthe material was collected or deposited as the point of extraction.In most cases this will be a recycling facility or scrap yard.Disregard the original source of the material. Use the location ofthe new product manufacturer as the point of manufacture. In somecases the recycling facility may also be the manufacturer.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add "OR""OPTION 2"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Move the second and third paragraphs of the section (in order) to the space before the title "Reused and Salvaged Materials"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/19/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Remove the first paragraph: The point of manufacture is considered the place if final assemblyof components into the building product that is furnished andinstalled by tradesworkers. For example, if the hardware comesfrom Dallas, and lumber comes from Vancouver, and the joist isassembled in Kent, Washington, then the location of the finalassembly is Kent, Washington.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-CSv2.0
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-CIv2.0
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals. Applicable Internationally.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-Schools
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Can a rural project earn MRc5 if materials are manufactured slightly outside of 500 miles in order to obtain construction material with more sustainable features?
Ruling:
No, the project\'s request for a waiver due to its remote location is not acceptable. The site\'s remote location does not reduce the environmental impact resulting from the transportation of material which is the intent of the credit. Applicable internationally.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
2/25/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Our project is a 9 million SF Graduate University located 60 km North of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The University will be dedicated to the research of alternative fuels and renewable energy. The entire campus will be New Construction on a Greenfield site and will consist of research labs, lab support areas, administration buildings, a library, a commons building, food service, an auditorium, conference rooms, lecture halls, offices and public areas. Regionally manufactured building materials are not readily available due to the project location and unoccupied nature of certain areas of Saudi Arabia. Only a small portion of the building materials can be obtained within 500 miles. As a result, a good majority of the materials that will be acquired for the project will be delivered by sea from adjacent countries. Similar conditions exist in Canada. The unoccupied regions of Canada influence the availability of building materials and methods to transport those materials. These conditions have allowed the Canadian LEED rating system to implement a larger distance allowance for the regional materials Credit. Different modes of transport have different fuel efficiencies in transporting goods. LEED Canada-NC 1.0 acknowledges these differences by extending the permissible transportation distance to 1500 miles for those goods transported by rail or by ship. Truck - 2127 KJ/ton*km Rail road - 373 KJ/ton*km Shipping - 138 KJ/ton*km The intent of this Credit is to "reduce the environmental impacts resulting from transportation." The above transport options show significant reduction in energy and fossil fuel use for rail and boat transport. Due to the project site conditions and site transport options, our project is seeking interpretation to use the Canadian requirements for the Regional Materials Credits. The Canadian requirements can be found below. Please advise on our project\'s ability to use this interpretation. Canadian LEED NC 1.0 Regional Materials Requirements Use a minimum of 10% / 20% of building materials or products for which at least 80% of the mass is extracted, processed and manufactured within 800 km (500 miles) of the project site. OR Use a minimum of 10% / 20% of building materials or products for which at least 80% of the mass is extracted, processed and manufactured within 2400 km (1500 miles) of the project site, and shipped by rail or water. OR Use a minimum of 10% / 20% of building materials or products that reflect a combination of the above extraction, processing, manufacturing and shipping criteria (e.g., 5% within 800 km (500 miles) and 5% shipped by rail within 2400 km (1500 miles)).
Ruling:
This CIR is requesting that the project be permitted to substitute the existing MRc5 credit requirements with those found in the Canadian Green Building Council LEED Rating System. The CAGBC LEED requirement allows for materials to be harvested from a larger area (1500 mile radius) if it reaches the site by lower emission transportation (ship and rail.) While the proposal certainly aims to reduce the environmental impacts resulting from material transportation, it does not address the portion of the credit aimed at supporting the use of indigenous materials. Furthermore, the CAGBC LEED rating system has been developed specifically for the Canadian construction and transportation industries, and it may not be appropriate to use it in place of the USGBC requirements as applied on this Jeddah, Saudi Arabia site. However, the intent of the project to reduce the emissions associated with the transportation of materials is commendable and should be pursued as an innovation point. As such, the credit submission should include a narrative explaining local common practices for transport of materials and how this strategy surpasses those for environmental benefit. Resources on past innovation points that have been pursued for Life Cycle Analysis can be found in the Innovation in Design Credit Catalog, issued on 12/7/07. The USGBC also anticipates that credit requirements for comprehensive carbon emission reduction on a building project will be available by the end of the year. If the construction schedule permits, this could be an option for the project to receive credit for their efforts. Applicable Internationally; Canada; Saudi Arabia.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-NCv2.1
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/4/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
See below for alternative method on illustrating regional manufactured, extracted or processed materials in LEED-NCv2.2
Ruling:
In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The proposed project site is located on a military base that has potentially unexploded ordnance on-site.Protection from potential detonation during construction is required by the federal government to shield pedestrians and existing housing across the street from the project site. As a part of the project, a detonation barrier is to be constructed prior to start of excavation. This barrier can be built using various material but must have substantial foundations and structural strength to withstand large explosion forces. After construction is completed, the detonation barriers would be deconstructed to allow access to the site.The project team is proposing to incorporate salvaged local material into the design of these barrier walls. May the salvaged material qualify for MR credit 5 for regional material, MR credit 4 for recycled content?
Ruling:
The project team has inquired whether materials used for a temporary (during construction) detonation barrier can be included within the project material cost accounting since it is mandated to be built, particularly as it relates to recycled content, local material content, and construction waste management. No, the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building and Construction 2009 Edition Materials and Resources credits 3, 4, 5,and 6 "Include only materials permanently installed in the project" temporarily installed materials are considered equipment and cannot be included in MR Credits 3-6.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
LEEDuser expert
Jon Clifford
GREENSQUARE
LEED-AP BD+C
