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Easy prerequisite – provide space for recycling
This prerequisite is very easy to meet. You only need to provide one space to store recycling. You are not even required to have a specific square footage, although the LEED Reference Guide does provide recommended square footage based on building size (see table below). To size this space properly, also consider the building’s needs and recommendations from your recycling hauler.
Recycling plan not required
Providing recycling bins for occupants in places like offices and kitchens is a good idea, but is not required for this credit. Nor do you have to actually implement a recycling plan. You simply have to provide the area for centralized recycling collection.
Simple documentation
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8 Comments
Location
Guidelines refer to a "dedicated recycling collection and storage area that is easily accessible whithin the building". I would imagine that most haulers would prefer to have this area located outside the building instead. Would that be acceptable?
Guidelines say "for projects with larger site areas. it may be possible to create a central collection area that is outside the building". That is not the case in our project; the site is large enough to hold the playing fields, but not much more. Any thoughts?
Donna, with your first question—I think the intent is to make sure that recycling can be collected within the building—not just that there is a place for the hauler to pick it up.
With your second question, I'm not sure what you're asking. What would you propose to do to earn the prerequisite?
The thought was to have bins for recycling adjacet to the trash dumpster in the exterior, easy for the haulers to pick. Collection inside the building would be on a room basis, since each will be provided with separate bins for recyclables. There would not be a dedicated room inside the building just for sorting. Does that sound acceptable?
Donna - I would say you are on the right track. The online documentation requires: a plan drawing with a call-out showing where recyclables are collected (in your project, this may be per room); and a site plan indicating the location of recyclables storage that is easily accessible for a hauler. In the narrative, you could explain that the hauler accepts comingledA process of recycling materials that allows consumers to dispose of various materials (such as paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal) in one container that is separate from waste. The recyclable materials are not sorted until they are collected and brought to a sorting facility. recyclables, so there is no need for a sorting area.
Campus Recycling
Our project is on a community college campus that has a dedicated recycling area for the campus that is not within our LEED project area. Is it acceptable to reference this area in the narrative and provide small bins in and around the project building that would be collected by campus maintenance staff and stored in the campus recycling area?
Yes, I would say so, if you think the space provided is truly adequate and accessible.
By the way, we have a tipsheet on documenting MRp1 on the site..
Garbage vs recycable area
Hi,
Could the dedicated recyclable area be located in the same area as the main garbage bins, if the bins are properly labeled and the space is sufficient for both? Or would we need a clear separation between both areas (such as a wall or a completely separate room)?
Thanks
It's fine to put both garbage and recycling in the same area, given the provisions you describe.
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