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USGBC LEED Green Associate: The Key to Diverting and Recovering Solid Waste Materials

Discover the process of recycling and how it plays a crucial role in diverting and recovering materials from the solid waste stream. Learn the definition and importance of recycling in the context of the USGBC LEED Green Associate Certification Exam.

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 is the correct term for collecting, reprocessing, marketing, and using materials that are diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream. This process involves taking materials that would otherwise be considered waste and transforming them into new, usable products.

The recycling process typically includes the following steps:

  1. Collection: Materials are collected from various sources, such as households, businesses, and public spaces.
  2. Sorting: The collected materials are sorted into different categories based on their composition (e.g., paper, plastic, glass, metal).
  3. Processing: The sorted materials are cleaned, crushed, or shredded to prepare them for reuse.
  4. Manufacturing: The processed materials are used to create new products, either alone or in combination with virgin materials.
  5. Marketing and distribution: The new products made from recycled materials are marketed and distributed to consumers.

Recycling plays a vital role in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, conserving natural resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of new materials from virgin sources. By diverting materials from the solid waste stream and reintroducing them into the production cycle, recycling contributes to a more sustainable and circular economy.

In the context of the USGBC LEED Green Associate Certification Exam, understanding the concept of recycling is essential for recognizing the importance of waste reduction and material recovery in green building practices. Recycling is a key strategy for achieving LEED credits related to materials and resources, as it helps to minimize the environmental impact of construction and operation of buildings.

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 ofthe intents of the Materials and Resources category is to “reduce waste through recycling during construction and occupancy”.

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.