In the implementation part of LEED reference guide it is writen that buying a toner from a cartridge remanufacturer or an equipment supplier that will take spent cartriges back is considered a sustainable choice.
So, can we include the toners/cartridges that are sent back to the manufacturer as satisfying the criterion for sustainable purchasing - ongoing consumables for this credit even if they don't satisfy the following EPP criteria:
1. containing at least 10% postconsumer and/or 20% postindustrial material;
2. containing at least 50% rapidly renewable material;
3. containing at least 50% materials harvested, extracted, and processed within 500 miles of the facility;
4. consisting of at least 50% Forest Stewardship Council certified paper products;
5. or rechargeable batteries.
Barry Giles
Founder & CEO, LEED Fellow, BREEAM FellowBuildingWise LLC
LEEDuser Expert
338 thumbs up
July 15, 2014 - 12:10 pm
Vivek. The simple answer is yes you can quantify the amount of toner cartridges sent back as part of your re-cycling content under MRc7. This credit is only interested in what is re-cycled not what is purchased, however we are always looking to purchase items that CAN be recycled and here the toner industry already has a good handle on what it takes to accomplish this with several prepackaged return to manufacturer options, several outside contractors who take cartridges back and refill etc. Obviously the weight of these cartridges is very small but at least you are counting them!