I don't think this method has a good chance of being accepted. I'm guessing the reviewers would say it relies too much on the users to correctly bag and label the different items, and is too complex. They will want to see a way for residents on each floor to access separate bins for each kind of material or some way for the recycling to be collected and sorted. I can imagine two options that might work:
1. Modify the container system in the trash closet on each floor so that you can fit an individual container for each kind of recycling material in the space where you now have room for only two containers. These could possibly be bins that are stacked on top of each other but are still accessible. If the bins are smaller, they will need to be collected more frequently.
2. Use two bins per floor, one for all recyclable items mixed together, and one for garbage (your organics). The bin of mixed recycling would have to be collected and then manually sorted down at the ground level into the separate large bins. The maintenance crews would have to do this, which may or may not be acceptable.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
August 20, 2010 - 12:07 am
By the way, we have instructions on how to document MRp1 in LEED Online here on LEEDuser.I agree with David, this seems a bit complicated and unlikely to stand the test of time. His suggestions make sense.
David Herrera
ArchitectMaiz Transforma
15 thumbs up
August 20, 2010 - 1:41 pm
Thank you very much for your comments, I will try to make the suggested methods work!
David Herrera
ArchitectMaiz Transforma
15 thumbs up
August 21, 2010 - 10:20 am
Hello again, I have been looking into the option of separating the recyclables in the ground floor. My question is if there is a specific ratio of area, per quantity of trash, to comply with this process. I am assuming this area also needs to be a contained open area, otherwise enclosed areas would have to have ventilation systems and have to comply with a more complicated process of sanitation.
Thanks again for the help.
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
August 23, 2010 - 11:56 am
For the recommended area of trash/ recycling storage, see the guidelines posted here on the LEEDUser Bird's Eye View for NC 2009 MRp1:
http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-2009/MRp1
Those are published as suggested guidelines. For projects that provide a significantly different area, we've included a narrative from the trash hauler that explains their recommendations for necessary area based on the scheduled frequency of trash collection.