Oops! Our trash was measured by both weight and volume at different times. How do I standardize this?
Use the solid waste conversion factors in the LEED Reference Guide to account for recycled materials in dumpsters billed by volume.
The requirements of this credit say that land-clearing debris does not contribute to the percentage of materials diverted from the landfill. What exactly is considered "land clearing debris"?
According to the LEED Reference Guide, land-clearing debris includes soil, vegetation, and rocks.
Can sending material to waste-to-energy plants count toward MRc2?
USGBC has ruled (for example, see LEED Interpretation #10061) that diverting waste to incineration facilities does not contribute to MRc2, but that Wood Derived Fuel (WDF) does meet the intent of this credit. As that ruling states, "The WDF process differs from incineration processes that are not allowed in this credit because the recycling facility provides a value-added process; it is a service that exists to sort and distribute materials appropriate to the highest end uses possible.
Should household-type trash from workers' lunches and office use be included in MRc2 diversion and calculations?
There has been some debate about this, since on the one hand this waste does not qualify as typical C&D waste, but on the other hand it is waste generated onsite, which this credit is intended to address. LEEDuser's experts recommend including this waste because it falls under the broader definition of waste generated onsite, and because reduction, recycling and diversion programs can be extremely effective in reducing the quantity of this waste.
Should I include hazardous material such as lead-based paint in MRc2 calculations?
No. Hazardous waste does not count and it is excluded from the numerator and denominator portions of the credit calculations. You may want to include a brief narrative on the hazardous waste you found and how your project abated the material.
Can materials that have been unused and returned to the manufacturer as part of a “take-back” program contribute to the credit?
Yes, materials that would otherwise be waste, but that are diverted from the landfill to be salvaged or reused can contribute to MRc2.
How does MRc2 work for projects pursuing a campus approach, or any project where waste management will be shared with other construction projects?
LEED Interpretation #10265 made on 01/01/2013 provides the best official guidance for this situation. The approach that is approved in that situation involves multiple buildings, all being certified to LEED-NC. The ruling allows the project to track together all demolition and construction waste diverted, and to then apply a weighted average based on gross square footage to each LEED project.
How is construction waste accounted for when utilizing off-site construction, like modular construction or pre-fabrication of assemblies?
Waste generated off-site, even for modular construction and pre-fabrication of major assemblies is not accounted for in the MRc2 calculations. MRc2 looks only at the management of waste generated onsite.
If a CI project occupies a building that has existing parking, but no designated parking to the tenant, can it pursue “no parking will be provided"?
Yes. However, if occupants have access, there should be no parking subsidies provided that would encourage tenants to use the parking (as required by credit language).
Why are the CI designated parking requirements in Cases 1 and & 2 Option 1 determined by a Full Time Equivalent of tenant space/building while for New Construction the requirements are simply a percentage of parking provided?
Since parking availability for CI projects may not correlate with building size or square footage as in the case in NC, this change helps level requirements across CI projects.