I have a few questions that cover both MRc1 and MRc2. (1) Do we need track and include in the credit calculations purchases that do not have a green alternatives? For instance, treadmills, batteries for equipment which there is no rechargable alternative, toner for which there is no remanufacturing alternative, medical supplies (refilling first aid kits), keyboards, computer mouse, speakers...
(2) In the "birds eye view" you state that it is optional to include any items outside paper, toners, binders, and desk accessories as ongoing consumables. Does this mean items like periodicals, medical supplies (refilling first aid kits), SWAG, and gifts can be excluded from tracking and included in the MRc1 credit calculations? Some of the comments in the "comment section" imply otherwise.
(3) Finally, what about items outside both MRc1 and MRc2 - such as wrist pads, keyboard trays, keyboards? These appear to not be covered by any LEED credit. In general, it seems that some purchases would fall outside tracking. Or is the intent to track ALL purchases and find some way to place them into either credit catagory, assuming your consistent with your placement?
thanks for your help.
Jason Franken
Sustainability ProfessionalLEEDuser Expert
608 thumbs up
July 1, 2010 - 10:30 am
These are good questions, Wendy. The key thing is that for any of the purchasing credits, you are required to track all purchases made during the performance period and then highlight those specific purchases which meet one or more of the LEED sustainability criteria.
It's important to understand the LEED definitions of "Ongoing Consumables" and "Durable Goods" as well. Ongoing Consumables are products with a low cost per unit that are regularly used and replaced through the course of business. The LEEDUser Bird's Eye View for this credit does not mean to suggest that it is optional to track items other than paper, toner, binders, etc.; these are simply the basic categories of ongoing consumables that must be tracked at a minimum. There are many other types of ongoing consumables that are used on a regular basis in most commercial buildings that should be included in your tracking.
Durable Goods are products that are available at a higher cost per unit and that are replaced infrequently and/or may require capital outlays. The simplest way to think about these types of products is to examine purchases of electronic equipment (including appliances) and furniture.
So, to address your specific questions above:
1) items such as treadmills, keyboards, computer mouse, and speakers would fall under the Durable Goods category because they are electronic equipment with a higher cost
2) items such as first aid kits, periodicals, wrist pads, and keyboard trays could probably be considered Ongoing Consumables because they are low-cost items. Batteries are also considered ongoing consumables for LEED purposes.
3) "SWAG and gifts" is a bit trickier - ideally, the purchases you're tracking for these LEED credits are items that are being purchased for use within your project building. If you're buying items for clients, you can probably exclude them; likewise, if you're receiving these items from clients or trade shows, they are not being purchased by the project team, so they may also be excluded.
In a nutshell, make sure you're tracking all items that are purchased by building management or staff that are intended for use in the project building during the performance period. Make sure you understand the sustainability criteria and use a consistent methodology to report all the products that meet those criteria .
Wendy Gibson
156 thumbs up
July 1, 2010 - 5:26 pm
Jason - Thanks for clarifying these questions. It seems so simple on the surface and then you get into the detail and things begin to blur. One quick question for clarification, if we purchase SWAG or brochures that will be distrbuted outside the building such as a tradeshow or be given to a different department in a different building (but the purchaseing department is in the project building) can I assume these count as well? From your answer that appears be the case.
Thanks again!