Recent Changes to LEED Rating System

To remain at the forefront of green building standards, the U.S.Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system has gone through several versions since launching in 2000.  

The next update is called LEED2012, which undergoes a series of public comment periods before being voted on by members in June.  The third and final public comment period is open from 3/1/12 through 3/20/12; changes would take effect when LEED 2012 launches in November 2012.

Important proposed changes to the Materials and Resources section that relates to construction and demolition recycling include:

• Creating a prerequisite for Waste Management Planning.  This means that nearly every project applying for certification under LEED 2012 must have a construction and demolition debris management plan in place that includes establishing waste diversion goals and materials targeted for diversion, details of the diversion strategies, and specifications for the processes the contractor will use including where the material is taken and how the recycling facility sorts and processes the material.
• Disqualifying Alternative Daily Cover (ADC) from diversion totals.  ADC is material other than soil that is approved to cover landfills at the end of each working day.  ADC can be made from separated or ground construction debris, which allowed the materials to be counted as diverted under previous LEED rating systems.  Similarly, land clearing debris is not allowed to be included in diversion totals.
• Changing the points allocated to projects applying for the Construction and Demolition Waste Management credit.  Instead of all projects being able to receive 1 point for 50% diversion and 2 point for 75% diversion, the proposed changes for 2012 allow up to two points through two different paths: diversion and reduction of total waste.  The proposed requirements also differ per rating system:

New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, Retail – New Construction, Data Centers, Warehouse & Distribution Centers, Hospitality – New Construction, Healthcare:

Option 1: Waste Diversion
	Recycled or Reused	Points
Case 1: Projects with Demolition	65% heavy materials* diversion	1
	65% heavy materials* diversion + 15% other materials diversion	2
Case 2: New Construction Only	50% heavy materials* diversion	1
	50% heavy materials* diversion + 30% other materials diversion	2

* heavy materials are considered asphalt, masonry, steel and concrete

Option 2: Reduction of Total Waste Material
Do not generate more than 2.5 pounds of waste per square foot of the building’s gross floor area.	2 points

Commercial Interiors, Retail – Commercial Interiors, Hospitality – Commercial Interiors:

Option 1: Waste Diversion
	Recycled or Reused	Points
Case 1: Projects with Demolition	50% heavy materials* diversion	1
	50% heavy materials* diversion + 20% other materials diversion	2
Case 2: New Construction Only	40% heavy materials* diversion	1
	40% heavy materials* diversion + 30% other materials diversion	2

* heavy materials are considered asphalt, masonry, steel and concrete

Option 2: Reduction of Total Waste Material
Do not generate more than 2.5 pounds of waste per square foot of the building’s gross floor area.	2 points

We’ve been keeping up with these and other subtle changes to the rating systems.  Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about how these changes will affect your current or future LEED projects.  And, if you’d like to contribute your thoughts to the third public comment period, follow this link.

How To Recycle: Carpet

Historically, Philadelphia was known as the center for textile commerce in the US.  Over time, the fiber industries have largely gone overseas with the exception of carpet, which has grown to establish an international stronghold in Georgia.  While carpet fibers can be recycled, the transportation costs to the southeast US often makes recycling cost prohibitive.  By consolidating materials at our Philadelphia location, we have been able to contribute to making carpet recycling viable for the mid-Atlantic region.  During our pilot phase in 2011, we were able to keep over 200 tons of carpet out of landfills; 2012 is on target to far surpass that mark.

If you have a job where you would like your carpet recycled or if you have any questions, please contact us.

Happy Holidays from Revolution Recovery!

Take a Tour of Revolution Recovery

Have you ever wondered how Revolution Recovery’s facility works?  Sometimes an in person view is better than pictures and words.  

We offer tours to our clients to give a visual understanding of how we handle materials from the scale house interface, through the sorting process and beyond.  Coming to the site in person really helps to grasp just how much waste we save from landfills. 

Can’t make it out for a tour?  Let us come to you!  We’d be happy to give your company or organization a presentation on our services and the construction and industrial waste recycling industry as a whole.  Call or email us for more information. (Photo by Will McHale)

How to recycle: Acoustical ceiling tile

Acoustical ceiling tile (ACT) is one material type that may seem daunting to figure out how to recycle because of its potential hazards.  For starters, make sure to keep your ACT separate from other materials at the jobsite which makes it much easier to recycle.  If ACT is placed in commingled dumpsters it can be easily broken in the sorting process and will be mixed with material from other projects, making recovery very difficult.  

The ACT can be stacked on pallets at the jobsite, or, the loose material can come to Revolution Recovery’s yard where we will take the hassle of recycling it for you!  We are an Armstrong Certified C&D Processor for ACT.  Before sending material out for processing, we make sure each project has been cleared of asbestos contamination and approved by Armstrong.  We have streamlined the process and the paperwork for you and will assist you in gathering information to ensure we are keeping as many materials out of landfills as possible.  The used tile is put right back into the manufacturing process, and the policy of accepting tile from approved projects ensures the new tile is a safe, quality product.  Please email us if you would like more information on how to recycle the ceiling tile from your project.  (Photo courtesy of Armstrong World Industries)

and the 2011 Leadership Award goes to...

Revolution Recovery was honored to receive a 2011 Leadership Award from the Delaware Valley Green Building Council during their Annual Green Building Celebration. Fellow award winners that are doing great work to build a more sustainable region include Children’s Hospital ofPhiladelphia (CHOP), Collin O’Mara (Delaware DNREC Secretary), LutronElectronics, and the Philadelphia Water Department.  (Photos by Third Eye Productions, Inc.)

We're Smart! Watch How...

Revolution Recovery was asked to participate in the launch of Philadelphia’s “Smart City, Smart Choice” video contest.  We had a great time putting together this short video that gives some reasons of why we love doing business in Philadelphia.