Proposed Innovation Credit: Local Re-Use Waste ReductionINTRODUCTIONThe MR Prerequisite 1 "Storage and Collection of Recyclables" addresses the need for space to be allocated for recycling activities. While this is necessary to support the collection, separation and storage of materials that will leave the building to enter commercial recycling, it does not address the recycling behavior of the occupants nor the potential reuse of material before it enters into the waste and/or recycling stream. This proposed innovation credit identifies opportunities in the occupancy and activities of an art school to internally reuse and recycle materials before they are designated "waste" and addresses this opportunity through the provision of art re-use bin locations throughout the studio classrooms and workspaces .INTENTThe intent of the proposed Local Re-Use Waste Reduction innovation credit is to actively reduce the waste generated by building occupants that is exported from the building to both landfills and commercial recycling activities. Many of the materials used in art projects by students and faculty can be recycled (glass, board, paper, metals, etc) but many materials used in the art studios, including those which have been part of a project assembly, cannot be recycled and will enter the landfill. By providing art re-use bins throughout the studio workspaces, students will be able to contribute used materials and projects (including glass, paper, board, fabric, metals, wood, and various composites), select and re-use these materials, reducing both the waste going to landfill and the stream of recycling materials stored and transported from the buildingREQUIREMENTSProvide bins for each studio classroom and workshop space of sufficient size and accessibility for art materials to be contributed and reused.SUBMITTALDrawings of art bin design and location shown in plan.
The intent of instituting an exemplary waste reduction program is good, but the proposed requirement is not sufficient to measure performance. In order to achieve an Innovation Credit, the project needs to show substantial and measurable environmental benefit. The project will need to present a comprehensive approach and benchmark performance against a relevant standard or institutionalized program. Previously, projects have achieved an innovation credit by calculating the amount of material recycling achieved by MRp1 and then calculating the percent improvement over that recycling rate they achieved by recycling/reusing additional materials. Applicable Internationally.