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Materials & Resources Version 3 The intention of this section of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is to promote the reduction of waste as well as reuse and recycling; and it takes into account the reduction of waste at a product's source. Choosing which building materials to use are important in sustainable design because of the extensive network of extraction, processing, and transportation steps required to process them. Activities to create building materials may pollute the air and water, destroy natural habitats, and deplete natural resources. According to the USGBC, construction and demolition wastes constitute about 40% of the total solid waste stream in the United States. When materials are selected for a project, it is important to evaluate new and different sources: • Salvaged materials can be substituted for new materials, save costs, and add character. • Recycled-content materials reuse waste products that would otherwise be deposited in landfills. • Use of local materials supports the local economy and reduces transportation. • Use of rapidly renewable materials minimizes natural resource consumption and has the potential to better match the harvest cycle of the resource with the life of the materials in buildings. • Use of third-party certified wood improves the stewardship of forests and the related ecosystems. There are 8 possible credits for a total of 14 points available: |
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