Learn how encouraging recycling, using regional materials, increasing recycled content, and instituting composting programs can reduce construction waste for LEED certification.
Table of Contents
Question
Which strategy can be used to reduce the amount of construction waste?
A. Encourage recycling
B. Specify regional materials
C. Increase the use of recycled content
D. Institute an off-site composting program
Answer
The most effective strategy to reduce the amount of construction waste is:
A. Encourage recycling
Explanation
Recycling is a strategy that can be used to reduce the amount of construction waste that is sent to landfills or incinerators. Recycling involves collecting, sorting, processing, and reusing or selling materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste. Recycling can save natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and lower disposal costs.
Encouraging recycling is the best way to minimize the quantity of construction and demolition waste sent to landfills. Some key approaches include:
- Setting up clearly labeled recycling bins on the construction site for materials like wood, metal, drywall, concrete, and cardboard
- Educating workers on proper recycling procedures through training and signage
- Working with waste haulers and recycling facilities to ensure materials are recycled
- Tracking recycling rates and setting waste diversion goals
While specifying regional materials (B) can have environmental benefits by reducing transportation emissions, it doesn’t directly reduce waste. Increasing the use of recycled content (C) is beneficial but relies on materials recycled from other sites. Instituting an off-site composting program (D) can divert organic waste but has limited impact on a typical construction site compared to recycling.
In summary, actively encouraging and facilitating the recycling of construction and demolition waste is the most impactful way to reduce the amount of materials ending up in landfills. This aligns with the LEED certification goals of minimizing waste and promoting more sustainable building practices.
USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam and earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.