Our project is a hotel in Manhattan. The hotel is committed to using rapidly renewable materials in the form of wool carpeting and PLA fabrics. PLA (polylactic acid) fabrics are biodegradable polyesters derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane. The hotel is also planning to use leather on the headboards in all guestrooms and would like to determine if leather products should be included in the calculations. The LEED-NCv2.2 reference guide defines rapidly renewable materials as an \'agricultural product, both fiber and animal, that takes 10 years or less to grow or raise, and to harvest in an ongoing fashion\'. Can the leather be considered a rapidly renewable material? How does the USGBC determine which animal agricultural products are included? Are there established standards or restrictions that must be met by the industry (i.e. humane treatment, use of by-products of other industries, etc.)?
The project team is seeking clarification on the use of leather as a compliant material under the guidelines set forth in MR credit 6 regarding rapidly renewable materials. On page 411 of the LEED NC v2.2 reference guide "rapidly renewable materials" are defined as material considered to be an agricultural product, both fiber and animal, that takes 10 years or less to grow or raise, and to harvest in an ongoing and sustainable fashion. Although leather is an animal product, it is not deemed to be rapidly renewable as the leather material or hide may not be collected until after the death of the animal. An example an acceptable renewable animal source would be sheep\'s fleece. The fleece can be sheered from the animal without presenting harm to it nor does it prevent the animal from regenerating the material. Applicable Internationally.