Skip to Content

USGBC LEED Green Associate: The Key to Divert and Recover Solid Waste Materials

Learn the definition of recycling and how it involves collecting, reprocessing, marketing, and using materials diverted from the solid waste stream. Prepare for the LEED Green Associate Exam with this comprehensive explanation.

Table of Contents

Question

What is the term for collecting, reprocessing, marketing and using materials that are diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream?

A. Recycling
B. Chain -of-custody
C. Salvaged materials
D. Building material reuse

Answer

A. Recycling

Explanation

Recycling is the term for collecting, reprocessing, marketing and using materials that are diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream. Recycling is a process that transforms waste materials into new products that can be used for different purposes.

Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills or incinerators, conserves natural resources, saves energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the intents of the Materials and Resources category is to “reduce waste through recycling during construction and occupancy”.

Recycling is the term used to describe the process of collecting, reprocessing, marketing, and using materials that have been diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream. This process aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills or incinerators by repurposing materials and giving them a new life.

The recycling process involves several key steps:

  1. Collection: Recyclable materials are collected from various sources, such as households, businesses, and construction sites.
  2. Sorting: The collected materials are sorted into different categories based on their composition (e.g., paper, plastic, glass, metal).
  3. Reprocessing: The sorted materials are cleaned, processed, and transformed into new raw materials that can be used in manufacturing.
  4. Marketing: The recycled raw materials are then marketed and sold to manufacturers who can use them to create new products.
  5. Reuse: The recycled materials are used to manufacture new products, completing the recycling loop and reducing the need for virgin raw materials.

The other options mentioned in the question are related to sustainability and waste reduction but do not specifically define the term “recycling”:

  • Chain-of-custody refers to the documentation that tracks the movement of materials from their origin to their final destination, ensuring they come from responsible sources.
  • Salvaged materials are materials that have been removed from an existing building or structure for reuse in another project, often to reduce waste and conserve resources.
  • Building material reuse involves using salvaged or surplus materials in new construction projects, reducing the demand for new materials and minimizing waste.

In summary, recycling is the correct term for the process of collecting, reprocessing, marketing, and using materials diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream, making it the most appropriate answer to the given question.

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.