It is obvious that the LEED reviewers use a set of predetermined comments for certain material claims made. Nothing in the rating system documents states you have to defend a claim but certain materials will always be challenged.

This is the start of a list of material claims being challenged. Others can add to the list. Projects should consider using the Special Circumstances section of the LEED Online Forms to explain a claim is correct, and to keep the reviewers from generating automatic comments.

ALUMINUM: "Waste that is crushed, re-melted, and put back into the same manufacturing process may not be considered recycled content. For future projects, please ensure that supporting documentation is provided to confirm that the qualifying component of these products does not include waste that has been reincorporated into the same manufacturing process that generated it."

The USGBC seems to believe that aluminum manufacturers are claiming internally reclaimed materials as recycled content. Projects will have to prepare to defend every recycled content claim made for aluminum, and submit the documentation for review.