Learn how using salvaged wood doors from another site can contribute to the Materials and Resources category in LEED green building certification. Discover the benefits of materials reuse.
Table of Contents
Question
A salvaged wood door from another site qualifies under what Materials and Resources sustainable criteria?
A. Certified wood
B. Materials reuse
C. Bio-based materials
D. Waste diversion
Answer
B. Materials reuse
Explanation
A salvaged wood door from another site qualifies under the Materials and Resources sustainable criteria of materials reuse. Materials reuse is the practice of using existing materials or productsfor new purposes without altering their form or composition.
Materials reuse reduces the demand for virgin materials, saves energy and resources, and prevents waste generation. The other options are not applicable to a salvaged wood door from another site. Certified wood is wood that has been harvested from forests that are managed in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner according to the standards of an accredited certification system such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Bio-based materials are materials that are derived from plants or animals, such as bamboo, cork, wool, or cotton. Waste diversion is the practice of diverting waste from landfills or incinerators by recycling, reusing, salvaging, or donating materials.
Explanation: When a salvaged wood door from another site is used in a LEED building project, it falls under the Materials and Resources (MR) category as “materials reuse”. Materials reuse involves utilizing existing materials, components, products or furniture from on or off the project site and incorporating them into the new building. This reduces demand for virgin materials and diverts valuable products from landfills.
Some key things to know about materials reuse in LEED:
- It applies to items salvaged from both on-site and off-site sources
- The reused materials must make up at least 5% (based on cost) of total project materials to qualify for MR credits
- Mechanical, electrical and plumbing components and specialty items cannot be included in reuse calculations
- Materials reuse is calculated based on the replacement value of the salvaged item compared to an equivalent new item
By choosing to use a salvaged wood door instead of manufacturing a new one, the project is reducing extraction of raw materials, minimizing waste, and lowering the environmental impact associated with producing and transporting new building materials. This is an example of closing the loop in a circular economy approach promoted by LEED.
The other options do not apply:
A. Certified wood refers to wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as sustainably harvested
C. Bio-based materials are agricultural products used as building materials
D. Waste diversion means diverting construction debris from landfills through recycling or reuse
In summary, salvaging and reusing wood doors and other building components, either from the project site itself or other sites, is categorized as materials reuse under the LEED Materials and Resources credits. This is an important sustainable design strategy for reducing the environmental footprint of buildings.
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