This credit gives the option to use products that are purchased from a manufacturer that participates in an extended producer responsibility program to meet the requirements. I haven't found anywhere in the actual credit language where the project is actually required to use the EPR program for waste management, scraps, etc. Am I missing something with this, or is what I'm reading accurate?
You rely on LEEDuser. Can we rely on you?
LEEDuser is supported by our premium members, not by advertisers.
Go premium for
Simon Nussbaum
1 thumbs up
February 11, 2020 - 11:11 am
This is definitely an area where more precise language would be helpful. As a manufacturer, the other areas our products contribute to LEED are straightforward to understand - FSC® CoC, HPD, etc. We've had a recycle-at-end-of-life policy in place but spent a lot time understanding if it could qualify for LEED contributions. From what I've learned the policy must be written and available publicly and the product being purchased must qualify for what is written. It's not so much about the given projects waste utilization during production, but more that there must be a publicized recycling program implemented by the producer for that specific product.
So in our case, we make ADA signs using natural materials and 3D printed raised elements. For our wood signs, under our policy we plane off the raised ADA elements, turn the wood fibers into animal bedding, then it becomes fertilizer for farms and eventually dirt. But for our signs made with a stone base we don't have an established policy so they would not qualify. Whether or not the building owner returns the signs is a different question that I don't believe is related to contributing to the credit. For example, if the building were to burn down and the products not get returned the product would still qualify at time of construction. We offer a 10% store credit to entice them but I believe that is also not necessary.
The mohawk carpet recyclign program was a good one for us to check to help wrap our heads around this criteria.
I hope this helps and if this sounds wrong please let me know as it is, indeed, confusing as to what criteria are required.