Storage / Collection of Recyclables In Apartment

Jean, there is no specific requirement for square footage to meet the MRp1 requirements. The recommendations shown above are recommendations, but not binding.The proper course is to allot enough square footage so that your building's recycling program will be effective. That will be your own judgement call. If all the recycling from the individual units winds up in the central location, I would hesitate to reduce its size, though, since the in-unit bin space is not performing the same function as the central space.

Jean, when documenting this credit on LEED Online the first thing you'll be asked for is this following narrative:"Describe the dedicated recycling storage areas in the project building. Include the size of the area, accessibility, and expected volume for the building, as well as collection frequency. Demonstrate that recycling storage areas are appropriately sized and located. Please refer to corresponding reference guide for guidelines on size of recycling storage areas."To answer your question, I would say no, a centralized interior location is not required by the credit, but you will have to justify your system and reasoning in this narrative.

Tristan - so a separate dumpster outside the building for recycling would qualify, as long as it is appropriately sized?

I am working on a project in a city with no recycling pick-up service, and the LEED Reference guide says that the project should still provide adequate space for future recycling efforts.

Therefore, if I put those two things together, will it be sufficient to provide an empty paved spot next to the garbage dumpster for the future recycling dumpster? All we would need is a site plan showing the potential location of the recycling dumpster (and won't need an interior recycling room). Of course, we would still have the narrative to justify the sizing. Do I understand this correctly? Thank you.

Pete, this approach sounds reasonable to me. Note that the documentation asks not only about size but also location. I think you would want to show (probably in a narrative) that a recycling program in the building would work with the outside dumpster, i.e. that occupants could reasonable access it. If there is some indoor collection point(s), all the better.Also note that the MRp1 credit language calls for space supporting the collection and storage of several types of materials. A single dumpster seems to assume that the future recycling pickup service would be comingled, which may not be the case.So, your approach does sound reasonable, as I said, but I would make sure to really think through all the credit requirements.