Building Components

Keith, You have hit on one of key issues with the current LEED CWM requirements; they only address recycling, not really looking at the greater concept of CWM. I would assume that the reason is that diverion via recycling is easy to document whereas diversion via waste avoidance is difficult

Each C&D Waste Management Plan usually follows two strategies: 1. Waste Minimization – Waste prevention and material reuse on site to avoid waste generation in the first place. 2. Recycling – Separation of recyclable materials by type onsite and contract with a qualified hauler, salvager, or recycler to transport materials to end users. Calculation required by MRc2 is about total construction waste and total percentage of construction waste diverted from landfill. You cannot really count contribution of waste not produced. Giorgia - LEEDme

Keith - Sorry for my tardy reply. I was away from all communications while on vacation. As Steve points out, currently LEED v2009's MRc2 does not address waste reduction. LEED v4's MR Credit Construction and Demolition Waste Management does offer an Option (#2 - Reduction of Total Waste Material), which would address overall waste reduction efforts.