There are specific inclusions for bamboo and cork (neither are wood) in MRc7, but it is still unclear where to draw the line between solid, wood chip and wood fiber products that still look like wood and those made from wood derivatives such as cellulose, polymers and distillations (papers, adhesives, composites, rayon, linoleum). No LEED project that I know of has ever included in MRc7 the paper backing on their gypsum board, insulation or building wrap, let alone thought about including the portion of linoleum or rubber products that is made from new wood derivatives. FSC certifies products in all of these categories (plus rubber, latex and other products made from saps, barks and leaves) but the USGBC/GBCI does not look at wood derivative products beyond a (undefined) point. I’d like that point defined. Poking the giant could make this credit significantly more difficult on future projects, but I also don’t want to be blindsided.
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Megan White
Chief Sustainability OfficerIntegral Group
12 thumbs up
December 30, 2015 - 2:39 pm
Hi Daniel,
I see your point and understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately under the current version of LEED 2009, MRc7 is only looking at solid and wood chip products in order to obtain this credit. Wood derivatives are not include in the calculation. Products like natural latex, bamboo, and cork are covered in MRc6 - Rapidly Renewable materials. But I would welcome you to explore the new LEED v4 material credits and all the ways that materials are assessed from a more holistic standpoint.
RETIRED
LEEDuser Expert
623 thumbs up
December 30, 2015 - 4:34 pm
Daniel and Megan - Bamboo can be included in MRc7 per this 2009 LEED Interpretation ID #2535 - http://www.usgbc.org/leed-interpretations?keys=2535. "...In addition, bamboo is often used in many of the same applications as wood products, and is considered by the FSC to be a forest product despite its technical classification as a grass. Therefore, bamboo may be included in the calculations for both MRc6 and MRc7. If bamboo is added to the MRc7 calculations, all bamboo on the project (FSC or otherwise) must be accounted for in the value for all new wood-based components for the project."