Documentation Requirements for LEED MRc2

Hi Lara
I am currently wondering about the same question. But when I look at the leedonline submittal template I do not see any option of uploading the receipts a proof of compliance. You have to fill out the tracking sheet and the contractor has to sign online the information is accurate.
If you read through the previous comment of Valerie Walsh the CWM plan to be submitted has to be issued PRIOR to construction start. So you could not add any receipts to this one.

I hope anyone else could share from their experience on this one.

Lara and Robert,

There is a simple explanation to your question. Documentation is a required submittal for commingled waste only. This is not entirely clear until you have a registered project with a LEED credit form in front of you. If your project has chosen to separate construction waste on-site, then your summary inputs are entered in a spreadsheet Table in the LEED credit form and no further back-up documentation is required to be submitted (besides the CWM Plan).

If you have opted for commingled waste, there is a separate Commingled Waste column in the same spreadsheet Table to select, which includes checking a box validating that you have also provided back-up documentation in the Uploaded documents section. This specific description paragraph for the required commingled waste document does not appear until you actually click on the ‘Commingled Waste/Doc Provided’ box in that column. It then also triggers an input area to appear in the Upload Section for this credit in LEED Online. The exact language from the LEED Credit Form is shown below:

'Upload MRc2-2. For commingled waste provide documentation verifying the diversion rate of the waste. Documentation can be either a project specific diversion rate provided by the sorting facility or the average annual recycling rate for the sorting facility provided by the regulating local or state government authority'.

There is one more guiding tip on this, but it is found only in the LEED credit form which states: ‘Documentation is required for commingled waste only’. That said, don’t forget to collect and retain all construction waste hauling slips and spreadsheets for verification records!
Hope that helps clarify things for you.

Yes Lara that is correct. Diversion rate documentation for each off-site processing company should be provided in the upload section.

Sorry, I am still a little confused about the backup documentation required for commingled waste. If our off-site company handling the sorting provides us w/ a monthly spreadsheet on the tonnage of each material diverted, along w/ the tonnage of waste sent to a landfill, is this sufficient backup? Thanks!

Mary Kay: Yes, this would be the appropriate backup documentation to upload for MRc2 in your case. It sounds like you have the first of two Commingled waste path options. Rather than providing the verified average annual recycling rate for the sorting facility as the backup documentation, they have provided you with project specific diversions rates. Either form of documentation would be acceptable.

Valerie,

From Mary Kay's question and your response, I understand if one is pursuing the commingled path, the acceptable documentation can be either the verified average annual recycling rate for the sorting facility, or else the project specific diversion rate(s).

My question is whether the documentation (in either case) must specify the diversion rate for each and every type of waste separately, or if an overall diversion rate is acceptable.

On an upcoming project, we want to make sure we communicate to the sorting facility, exactly what level of detailed documentation is required.

Thank you,
Doug

Doug –

I have only worked with commingled recyclers who provide project specific diversion information by material type. Looking at the LEED Credit Form and doing some research online, it appears that you could insert a single diversion rate for all your tonnage or cubic yards of diverted materials and then provide the regulating government authority’s average annual recycling rate for facility. (If you haven’t already, please look at the credit form in LEED Online or download a sample form here - http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1447.) (Ensure your Project Administrator has upgraded the LEED credit forms so that you are using v4.0 of the MRc2 form.)

I read two articles online that may be of help - http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/Library/innovations/CnDProcess/Su... and http://www.urbanone.com/resources/articles/leed-construction-waste-manag.... They appear to indicate that a single value for the facility is typically available. This report from the City of Glendale, CA also lists the diversion rate as a single number - http://www.ci.glendale.ca.us/public_works/Constr_Dem_Debris_Recycling_Or....

I would suggest asking your sorting facility for last year’s average annual recycling rate for the facility from the regulating government authority. That is the most important piece of information as it is required documentation. If they do not have that document, then the diversion rate does not matter. If that don't have it, then you will need project specific diversion rate, which is typically provided by individual material.

Good luck!

Thank you, Michelle. We really appreciate your help!