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It’s not just about recycling
This credit focuses on diverting waste from landfills by finding multiple alternatives for end uses of the waste, namely recycling, reuse on site, donation for reuse on another site, or resale. All of these diversion methods count towards credit compliance—50% construction waste diverted for one point, 75% for two points.
Look for opportunities to prevent the generation of waste on construction sites because the less waste you generate, the less you have to recycle or reuse to earn the credit.
There are two different approaches to recycling construction and demolition (C&DConstruction and demolition) waste: separating materials at the source (...
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11 Comments
tracking form
Is it possible to add more months/tabs to this spreadsheet and edit the master tally sheet to ensure that those values are being added as well? Thanks,
Nell
hardfill
In one of our projects, most of the construction waste (especifically concrete and masonry) has been used as hardfill in land outside this project, in a location where other construction will take place (different project).
Does this material waste use count toward the credit? or is it considered landfilled?
Donna, this sounds to me like diversion from the landfill, counting toward MRc2.
Wood as a fuel and method of landfill diversion...
In general, the country where I am pursuing a LEED for Schools cert. has little to no experience separating waste beyond two groups: steel and mixed construction waste. We have found some innovative ways to contribute to the emerging, but still undeveloped recycling system. Buildings and homes in the country are often heated with bio-fuels, such as wood. In our case the contractor heats their storage facility primarily using excess wood from its projects. The credit, however, specifically states incineration is not acceptable, but it seems logical that wood as a heating source would be acceptable. I would think this would require a narrative as a minimal step, but has anyone ever tried submitting for this credit in a similar way and if so, what was the outcome? Any pertinent recommendations on this particular challenge, as the only other option in the country would be to pay someone to take the wood (that's just the way it works here) and then to buy wood for heating, which in comparison isn't as sustainable from any perspective?
Ward, I don't think this would be approved by LEED due to the specific mention that incineration is not allowed, and the overall intent to extend the useful life of materials.
It may be the most environmentally sound choice under the circumstances, but that does not mean that LEED will recognize it.
Did you submit for this credit and how did you fare?
Demolition and New Construction as separate phases
Does the demolition of an existing building have to be included in the Construction Waste management Plan if it is part of an early Site package which is happening about 8 months before the construction of a new building. The problem with including the demolition is how to coordinate between a demolition contractor and the general trades contractor who will not bid the job until long after demolition is complete. For instance, who should sign the signature box on the LEED form? Also, if the demolition contractor goes by weight, does that prevent the general trades contractor from going by volume? Or should we just use an alternative compliance path?
Two contractors - I have the same issue, sent in a help request, and got some clarification.
I suggested having the second contractor provide a letter on company letterhead, using the same wording on the template (info reviewed, is accurate to best of my knowledge, etc) and provide it as documentation for Special Circumstances. USGBC LEED Customer Service felt it was a reasonable doccumentation approach.
Const. Waste Mgmt tracking sheet - success in using it?
I like the setup of the Const. Waste Mgmt tracking sheet in the Documentation Toolkit area, but the way the document is programmed, you can't add any other Material Categories. Has anyone had issues with documentation for the credit being simplified into the Material Categories listed on the LEEDusertracking sheet, if the Const Waste Mgmt Plan breaks down the planned recyclables differently (as listed in MasterSpec section 017419 Const. Waste Mgmt and Disposal)
Your project may have more categories for construction waste Renee, than the 17 listed in the sample Tracking Sheet provided by LEEDuser. If so, you could re-create it in-house to suit your own categories. Keep in mind that many of the MasterSpec items listed in 017419 will generally fall into one of these 15 categories. I noticed that the 17 Tracking Form categories can be edited. Perhaps you could combine some of your 017419 materials together, such as Wood sheet materials, Wood trim, and Lumber. I also think it makes sense to list them the way they get hauled for your project, rather than how they get listed in the specs.
From the contractor side, I do see the Tracking Form serving more as a monthly summary of all ‘pulls’ from the job site by category, with individual loading tickets being tracked in-house. In any case, the sample Tracking Form will save plenty of project teams from having to create it from scratch.
You might also consider asking LEEDuser if they would open up their form to be able to insert additional lines.
Portables as diverted waste
Valerie,
It turns out that the portables were shown on the drawings and in the specs "to be demolished". During bidding the GCs went to great lengths to find homes for them - which included selling them - this helped lower the final bid for the project which helped them get the job. In light of this - I would say that the portables are in fact "diverted" - wouldn't you agree?
Lisa
Lisa, it sounds like it might be worth making the case for diversion given the spec you reference for demolition. What a great win all around due to the contractor’s proactive efforts to lower costs, divert them from the landfill, and keep the portables in service.
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