What is required to be submitted for commingled waste in LEED Version 4? Does the commingled waste have to sent to a Certified Recycling Institute?
I have three other separate streams, each of them 100% recycled, but the majority of my weight is commingled. Should I be concerned about meeting the LEED V4 requirements?
Bipin Karki
Sustainability Project Manager87 thumbs up
April 14, 2020 - 9:51 am
Hello Samantha,
Commingled waste is considered as single waste stream. If you want to count multiple waste stream diverted within the commingled waste, then you need to provide documentation confirming either the project specific diversion rates (by material) or the average annual recycling rate for the facility that is regulated by a governing authority.
If you have already three waste stream, then diverted (recycled, reuse) commingled waste will be addiotnal one waste stream diverted totaling in four waste stream. This will meet the Option 1: Diversion; Path 2: Divert 75% (if diverted waste is above 75%) and Four Materials Streams for two points. Hope this helps!
Mersy Maradiaga
Sustainability EngineerTurner Construction
December 22, 2022 - 6:07 pm
If we choose to use commingled waste as multiple waste stream and provide the avg annual recycling rate of the facility which is regulated by a governing authority, for required documentation, do the hauling tickets still need to show the material breakdown? if yes, can this be done visually i.e visually we see 10% ceiling tiles, 40% metal and 50% drywall?
if no, are we okay with just submitting comingled waste hauling tickets assuming we meet the requirements I stated above?
Michelle Rosenberger
PartnerArchEcology
522 thumbs up
December 25, 2022 - 11:43 am
Hi Mersy,
If you are using commingled waste, you only submit the average annual (or monthly) recycling rate of the facility. Visual inspection hauling tickets do not comply but aren't really relevant since you are using the facility diversion rate anyway. You don't upload any hauling tickets. Just the facility diversion rate backup and the calculator with the tonnage.
Mersy Maradiaga
Sustainability EngineerTurner Construction
December 27, 2022 - 10:38 am
Hi Michelle,
Based of Bipin's response above, If I am understanding this correctly, we are good to use commingled waste as multiple waste stream as long as we provide documentation of facility monthly/annual diversion rate along with proof that the facility is regulated by a governing authority. Is this correct?
Michelle Rosenberger
PartnerArchEcology
522 thumbs up
December 27, 2022 - 11:13 am
Hi Mersy,
Yes you are good to use commingled as one waste stream, as long as you have the facility diversion rate backup. You just may need other waste streams to comply with the points you are targeting.