Recycled material in building products earns points in the LEED system

01.12.2016 Recycled content is defined in accordance with ISO 14021 and is distinguished between post-consumer and pre-consumer. In both the LEED v3 and LEED v4 systems, the use of recycled materials can earn additional points toward achieving certification.

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Recycled content: post-consumer and pre-consumer

Recycling content is defined in accordance with ISO 14021 “Environmental Labeling and Declarations – Environmental Supplier Declarations (Type II Environmental Label)”. A distinction is made between post-consumer and pre-consumer recycling.

Post-consumer materials are waste from households, commercial and industrial facilities, or institutions (who are end-users of the products) that can no longer be used for their intended purpose. This includes recycled material from the supply chain.

Pre-consumer materials are separated from the waste stream in the manufacturing process. It does not include the reuse of materials from post-processing, regrinding or scrap, which are generated during a technical process and can be re-used in the same process.

Sustainability reports in the LEED system

Points can be achieved in the LEED v3 system in MR Credit 4: “Recycled Content.” In order to earn a point, a 10 percent recycling proportion (based on the material costs of the entire building excluding HVAC) must be reached. For two points, a proportion of 20 percent of the project is required.

In the LEED v4 system, the recycling proportion is considered under option 2 in MR Credit 3: “Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials.” In total, 25 percent of the materials (based on costs) must exhibit one of the following: