# Presentation: 290613

## Mainstreaming Sustainable Design:

- An Introduction to
- LEED CI

**Notes:**
The objective of this presentation is to provide a general overview of LEED 2.1 and an understanding of how a partnership with Tandus can make a major contribution in the project team’s efforts to achieve a LEED certification.  

While there are many facets to the LEED rating system--and I will touch upon most all of them--I will spend more time discussing the the things you should be considering when evaluating building materials and interior finishes as a part of the LEED process.  Unfortunately, time constraints will not allow us to address each topic in depth--that would take at least two full days.

First of all, I will start the discussion by defining the magnitude of the problem and impact of the built environment on our natural environment;

then we will define what we mean when we refer to “sustainable” or “green” design;

third we will review the motivation behind the development of the LEED ratings system and the different areas of a project that LEED forces you to examine;

fourth we will look at more closely the areas where your work with product manufacturers can have a significant impact on the overall success of achieving a certification level--and this is primarily due to recyclability, use of recycled content, and indoor air emissions.

We will then look at some examples of projects that have been certified or have been “registered” 

and finally I will discuss the future of LEED and potential future adjustments to LEED.

## Reducing Negative Impacts on Nature

- Even in the most modern and efficient industrial economies such as the U.S., each person is responsible for the consumption of about 300 shopping bags of “stuff” each *week*.
**	****	**WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE

**Notes:**
Clearly, we are a society rooted in “consumerism.”  While it’s fueled our high standard of living there are some negative aspects.

One is our intense appetite for non-renewable natural resources.

Another, the downstream implications... what happens to all this stuff once we’re finished with it?

In the past, the simple answer was to just dispose of it... throw it away.

Now we realize there really is no “away.”

## Ecological Footprint

**Source: Donella Meadows**

**Notes:**
Ecological Footprint refers to the amount of land required to meet an average consumer’s needs (food, energy, raw materials, etc.)
Consider this:
In the U.S., it takes 12.2 acres to supply the average person’s needs.
In the Netherlands, 8 acres
In India, one acre.
The Dutch ecological footprint exceeds the area of the Netherlands by 15 times.
India’s ecological footprint exceeds its area by 35 percent.

## Slide 4

**Notes:**
SPEAKER’S NOTES:
Most striking...

If everyone on this planet consumed resources at the rate of that we do in the US, it would take at least THREE planet earth’s to support daily life. 

But that equation is changing. Countries like India China and the developing nation’s (those who are transitioning to market economies) are making more demands on the Earth for energy, natural resources and at the same time generating air pollution and other gases that lead to the “green house gas” effect.

The world’s population is expected to double in 40 years. And much of the world is now growing into “market economies” – people who want all the things Americans have.

Think about the competition for natural resources that will develop. 

## Environmental Impact of Buildings

- Building Operations Account for:
-  30-40% of total energy use and
-    atmospheric emissions
-  35-40% of municipal solid waste
-    (150 million tons)
-  25-30% of wood & raw materials use
-  25% of potable water
-  1.7 million acres developed each year
-  Impact individual health
-   (people spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors)

**Notes:**
There is no question that people in the building industry whether they’re design professionals, contractors, facility managers, or corporate real estate executives can play a major--if not a leadership--role in designing and constructing buildings that are less harmful to our ecological systems.

According to the futurist, Watts Wacker, more than 80% of the buildings standing 20 years from now have not been built yet.

This gives us an excellent opportunity to redeem ourselves but we must start now.

## ?

- What is “Green” Design

**Notes:**
Solicit answers from the audience about what they think sustainable design means?

## What is “Green” Design?

- Design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants in five broad areas:
-  Sustainable site planning
-  Safeguarding water and water efficiency
-  Energy efficiency
-  Conservation of materials and resources
-  Indoor environmental quality

**Notes:**
In order to start from a common reference point, let’s define sustainable or green design.

## L E E D

**L E E D**

- LEED is a self-assessing system designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings. It evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective over a building's life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a green building. LEED is based on accepted energy and environmental principles and strikes a balance between known effective practices and emerging concepts.

- Leadership in
- Energy &
- Environmental
- Design

**Notes:**
LEED is an acronym that stands for?????

LEED is a ratings system first developed by the US Green Buildings Council.

 A national non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, the USGBC has emerged as the leading broad-based coalition of architectural and engineering firms, contractors, product manufacturers, government agencies, developers, building owners, environmental interest groups utilities, universities, and sustainability consultants.

 Started in 1993, the USGBC now has more than 2,500 member firms and companies and operates as a balanced, consensus coalition representing the entire building industry.

 The USGBC promotes the design, construction, and operation of buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. 
 The Council strives to become the first and last word on green buildings for its members and the building community. USGBC serves its members and the community through the development of industry standards, design practices and tools, policy advocacy, information exchange, and education. 

(Notes continued on next page.)

## L E E D

**L E E D**

- LEED is a self-assessing system designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings. It evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective over a building's life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a green building. LEED is based on accepted energy and environmental principles and strikes a balance between known effective practices and emerging concepts.

- Leadership in
- Energy &
- Environmental
- Design

**Notes:**
(Notes continued from previous page.)

LEEDTM is the USGBC’s primary vehicle for promoting sustainable design and construction.

 The USGBC began to develop the LEEDTM Rating System in 1995 in response to the U.S. market’s demand for a definition of “green building.” Other rating systems such as the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and the Building Environment Performance Assessment Criteria (BEPAC), the European and Canadian systems, existed at that time and were reviewed before work on LEEDTM  began. 

 The LEEDTM standard was developed by USGBC members through volunteer committees.  The support tools, such as the Reference Guide and Training Workshop, were originally developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.

 LEEDTM 1.0 was a pilot project phase.

 LEEDTM 2.0 was released in March 2000.

 LEEDTM 2.1 was released in November 2002.

## Why was LEED Created?

-  Build awareness
-  Prevent “greenwashing” by providing a
-    standard
-  Use as a design guideline
-  Promote whole-building, integrated design
-    processes
-  Recognize leaders
-  Stimulate green competition
-  Establish market value with recognizable
-    national “brand”
-  Promote consumer awareness and transform
-    the marketplace

**Notes:**
The motivation behind LEED.

## L E E D CI

**L E E D CI**
- Leadership in
- Energy &
- Environmental
- Design

-  LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED CI),                  addresses the specifics of tenant spaces,   primarily in office and institutional buildings.
-  Evaluates and recognizes performance in
-    accepted green design categories
-  Self-evaluating system with four levels of
-    certification
-    LEED Certified	21-26 points
-    Silver Level		27-31 points
-    Gold Level		32-41 points
-    Platinum Level	42+ points
- 			(57 possible)

**Notes:**
 LEED defines a threshold for green buildings and introduces a tool to promote and guide comprehensive and integrated building design.

  LEED is performance-based where possible, transparent to your current processes, and self-evaluating and documenting (but not self-certifying). 

 LEED has four certification levels.

## LEED Point Distribution

**Notes:**
In evaluating a project, LEED examines five areas:

1.	Sustainable Sites
2.	Water Efficiency
3.	Energy & Atmosphere
4.	Materials & Resources
5.	Indoor Environmental Quality

The pie chart gives you an idea of how the points are allocated.

## LEED CI Point Distribution

- Sustainable Sites		  7 Points
- Water Efficiency			  2 Points
- Energy and Atmosphere		14 Points
- Materials and Resources		14 Points
- Indoor Environmental Quality	15 Points
- Innovation and Design Process	  5 Points

**Notes:**
There is also a section that awards “extra credit” -- up to five points.  We will discuss the Innovation and Design Process points later.

But first, I would like to quickly review the other areas just so you will have familiarity with the program.

## LEED Point Distribution

- Sustainable Sites		  7 Points
- Water Efficiency			  2 Points
- Energy and Atmosphere		14 Points
- Materials and Resources		14 Points
- Indoor Environmental Quality	15 Points
- Innovation and Design Process	  5 Points
- LEED CI has less emphasis on Sustainable Sites and Water Efficiency, and therefore places more weighting on Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality

**Notes:**
We will take an in-depth look at two areas in particular 

Materials & Resources and

Indoor Environmental Quality

because these are the areas that building materials, including interior finishes, have the most impact.

The Materials & Resources area of LEED also is a source for a lot of confusion due to the complexity of some of the credits and difficulty in verifying manufacturer claims when it comes to product recyclability and the amount of recycled content in new materials.

## Sustainable Sites

- Credit 1:    1 point :       Site Selection
- Credit 2:    1 – 3 points : Development Density
- Credit 4.1: 1 point  :    Alternative Transportation (public transportation)
- Credit 4:2:  1 point :    Alternative Transportation (bike storage)
- Credit 4.4:  1 Point :    Alternative Transportation (minimize parking availability)

**Notes:**
Development and construction processes can be very destructive to the local ecology and these activities encroach on productive agricultural land areas and wildlife habitat.  Factors such as stormwater runoff, erosion, and heat island effect can have serious consequences.

The eight credits in the Sustainable Sites section of LEED can reduce the negative impacts -- and in some cases -- improve the quality of a site that was previously contaminated.

These credits address:

1. Site Selection: Avoiding development of inappropriate sites and reducing the environmental impact from the location of a building on a site.
2. Urban Redevelopment: channeling development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, protecting greenfields, and preserving habitat and natural resources.
3. Brownfield Redevelopment: Rehabilitating damaged sites where development is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.
4. Alternative Transportation: Reducing pollution and land development impacts from automobile use. This involves measures such as locating a site that is easily accessible by public transportation, facilitate cycling by supplying showers and locker rooms, and installing alternative-fuel refueling stations.
5. Reduced Site Disturbance: Conserve existing natural areas and restore damaged areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity.
6. Stormwater Management: Limit disruption of natural water flows by minimizing stormwater runoff.

(Notes continued on next page.)

## Water Efficiency

- Credit 3.1: Water Use Reduction
-  20% reduction 1 Point
- 	Employ strategies that in aggregate use 	20% less water than baseline for tenant 	space
- Credit 3.2 Water Use Reduction
- 30% reduction 1 Point
- 	Employ strategies that in aggregate use 	30% less water than baseline for the 	building

**Notes:**
According to the USGBC, in the US, we withdraw approximately 340 billion gallons of fresh water per day from rivers, streams, reservoirs, and wells to support our homes, offices, industries, agriculture, recreation, and other activities.  This is about one-fourth of the country’s supply of renewable fresh water.

The water deficit in the U.S. is currently estimated to be about 3,700 billion gallons per year. In other words, we extract 3,700 billion gallons per year more than we return to the natural water system.

However, we’re doing better than we were 50 years ago.  Today, U.S. industries use 36% less water than they did in 1950 even though output has increased.   This is largely due to the reuse of water in industrial processes.  For example, at C&A, one of the companies I represent,  we use 55% less water to produce a square yard of carpet today than we did in 1993 even though our production has increased by more than 125%.

Water efficiency measures in buildings can easily reduce water usage by 30% or more. In a typical 100,000 square foot office building, low-flow fixtures and equipment can save one million gallons of water per year based on 650 building occupants each using 20 gallons per day.
The water efficiency credits award up to five points by reducing the amount of potable water for landscape irrigation, reducing the generation of wastewater, and maximizing water efficiency within buildings to reduce burdens on municipal water supplies and wastewater systems.

## Energy and Atmosphere

- Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Building Systems
-                      Commissioning
- Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance
- Prerequisite 3: CFC Reduction in HVAC Equipment
- Credit 1.1: 1 – 3 points : Optimize Energy Performance, Lighting Power
- Credit 1.2: 1 – 2 points : Optimize Energy Performance, Lighting Controls
- Credit 1.3: 1- 2 points  : Optimize Energy Performance, HVAC
- Credit 1.4: 1 – 3 points : Optimize Energy Performance, Equipment and Appliances
- Credit 3:    1 point        : Additional Commissioning
- Credit 5.1  1 point         : Measurement and Verification, Sub Metering
- Credit 5.1  1 point         : Measurement and Verification, Energy Costs Paid by Tenant
- Credit 6:    1 point Green Power

**Notes:**
In the US, buildings consume more than 30% of our total energy and about 60% of our electricity.
Energy consumption can be dramatically reduced through practices that are both feasible and readily achievable.  
There are three fundamental strategies to improved energy performance:
1. reduce demand
2. harvest site energy
3. maximize efficiency
These strategies are reflected in the three prerequisites and six credit areas. The first prerequisite and credit 3 refers to “commissioning?,” a process that is becoming more prevalent in the U.S.
 Commissioning is a systematic process of ensuring that all building systems perform interactively according to the contract documents, the design intent, and the owner’s occupational needs.
 Commissioning maximizes efficiency and thereby minimizes the environmental impacts of energy production and consumption.
 Commissioning can optimize energy performance and efficiency by 5-10%, resulting in significant environmental and cost benefits.

Credit 1 awards 2 to 10 points depending on the project’s achieving increasing levels of energy performance above the prerequisite standard using the three strategies we discussed earlier.

Credit 2 encourages the use of renewable sources of energy such as fuel cells, wind turbines, and photovoltaics
Credit 4 addresses ozone depletion by installing HVAC and refrigeration equipment that are free of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Halon.
Credit 5 simply calls for a the implementation of a measurement and verification plan and Credit 6 encourages the use of power purchased from a grid-source provider that guarantees a fraction of its electric power is generated from net nonpolluting renewable technologies (ie solar, low-impact hydro, wind, etc.)

## Materials and Resources

- Prerequisite 1: Storage & Collection of Recyclables
- Credit 1:      1 point : Building Reuse, long term lease
- Credit 1.2,3  1 – 2 points: Building Reuse, maintain 50% or 75% of    		        non-shell systems
- Credit 2        1 –2  point : Construction Waste Management, divert 		         50% or 75% from landfill
- Credit 3        1 – 3 points:  Resource Reuse, reuse 5%, 10% or 		          30%
- Credit 4:        1- 2 points:  Recycled Content, use
-            5% postconsumer or 10% postconsumer + postindustrial
- 		             OR
-            10% postconsumer or 20% postconsumer + postindustrial
- Credit 5:      1 – 2 points:  Local/Regional Materials
- Credit 6:      1 point:         Rapidly Renewable Materials
- Credit 7:      1 point:         Certified Wood

**Notes:**
The primary intent of the Materials & Resources section of LEED is twofold:

Number one is to simply reduce the amount of waste material that is generated.  Waste material that ultimately ends up in landfills or incinerators.

As a person working in the carpet industry, this is something I’m a little sensitive to given the fact that -- according to the EPA -- more than five billion pounds of carpet is dumped into landfills every year in the United States.

This problem is compounded by the reduction in the number of landfills.  Twelve years ago, there were about 18,000 landfills operating in the U.S.  Today, there are about 1,800.  We are simply running out of space to “store” this waste and this is a fundamental concern that LEED is trying to address.

Second part of the intent is to reduce the amount of non-renewable natural resources (including embodied energy), in constructing and operating buildings.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the building industry is the number one user of virgin raw materials.

So if we can keep in mind one of the primary tenets of resource conservation when it comes to building design, construction, and operations,
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, collectively, we can make a huge impact.

For the Materials & Resources section,  a project can earn points in these six credit areas.

## Materials and Resources

- Prerequisite 1: Storage & Collection of Recyclables
- Credit 1: Building Reuse
- Credit 2: Construction Waste Management
- Credit 3: Resource Reuse
- Credit 4: Recycled Content
- Credit 5: Local/Regional Materials
- Credit 6: Rapidly Renewable Materials
- Credit 7: Certified Wood

**Notes:**
Most of these are very straight-forward simple to comprehend after reading the guidelines so I want spend a lot of time dissecting each one.

I do want to spend time however addressing Credit 2 -- Construction Waste Management -- and Credit 4 -- Recycled content -- because there tends to be a little confusion about these two credits.

In addition, one of the differences between LEED 2.0 and LEED 2.1 is contained credit 4.

## Materials and Resources

- Prerequisite 1: Storage & Collection of Recyclables
- Credit 1: Building Reuse
- Credit 2: Construction Waste Management
- Credit 3: Resource Reuse
- Credit 4: Recycled Content
- Credit 5: Local/Regional Materials
- Credit 6: Rapidly Renewable Materials
- Credit 7: Certified Wood

**Notes:**
But before we get into these two, let us briefly address the others.

The prerequisite simply requires the establishment of a well thought-out recycling program for waste generated by the building occupants.

Credit 1 awards up to three points for reusing large portions of the existing structure, shell, exterior skin, framing, and non-shell components such as walls, floorcoverings, and ceiling systems.

Credit 3 awards up to two points specifying salvaged or refurbished materials for 5% to 10% of the building materials like iron work, lighting fixtures, brick, doors, heavy timbers.

Credit 5 awards up two points for specifying a minimum of 20% of building materials that are manufactured regionally -- within a radius of 500 miles.  The intent here is to increase demand for locally manufactured products which can reduce the environmental impacts resulting from transportation and to support local economies.

Credit 6 awards one point for “rapidly renewable” building materials for 5% of the total building materials.  Rapidly renewable resources are those materials that substantially replenish themselves faster than traditional extraction demand -- for example --- planted and harvested in less than a 10-year cycle.  They also do cause significant loss in biodiversity, increase erosion, affect air quality, and must be sustainably managed.

Credit 7 awards one point for using a minimum of 50% wood-based materials certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council guidelines.

## Materials and Resources

- Prerequisite 1: Storage & Collection of Recyclables
- Credit 1: Building Reuse
- Credit 2: Construction Waste Management
- Credit 3: Resource Reuse
- Credit 4: Recycled Content
- Credit 5: Local/Regional Materials
- Credit 6: Rapidly Renewable Materials
- Credit 7: Certified Wood

**Notes:**
Now let’s go back to Credits 2 & 4.

## Construction Waste Management

- INTENT: Divert construction, demolition, and land clearing debris from landfill disposal.  Redirect recyclable material back to the manufacturing process.
- REQUIREMENT: Develop and implement a waste management plan, quantifying material diversion by weight.

- Materials and Resources

**Notes:**
The intent for the Construction Waste Management credit is to divert waste from landfills and redirect recyclable material into  the manufacturing process.

## Construction Waste Management

-  Divert construction, demolition and land clearing debris to uses other than landfill.  Redirect recovered resources for beneficial reuse, such as soil amendment, clean fill, reusable material, or manufacturing feedstock
- Types of Materials Includes:
- metals, concrete brick, wood, plastic, carpet, glass, gypsum board

- Materials and Resources

**Notes:**
In order to receive the one or two points, LEED requires the development and implementation of a waste management plan.  Through this plan, your project will receive one point for recycling or salvaging at least 50% (by weight) of construction, demolition, and land clearing waste.  

You would receive an additional point by recycling or salvaging another 25%.

From an interiors standpoint, this will be more of a factor on major renovations through the demolition stage.  For instance, carpet is specifically referenced in the guidelines as well as other examples of materials.  Think of all the old carpet, ceiling tiles, etc. that, typically, is sent to a landfill during renovations.  Are the manufacturers you’re working with capable of taking back and recycling, not storing until they figure out what to do with it, these materials?

This is a service you may want to keep in mind as your are evaluating manufacturers and formulating recommendations to your clients.

## Recycled Content

- INTENT: Increase demand for building products that incorporate recycled content material, reducing the impacts resulting from extraction of new material.

- Materials and Resources

**Notes:**
Recycled Content -- now it gets really interesting.

The recycled content part of the credit often creates a lot of confusion because some manufacturers have misinterpreted the requirements and are promoting this misinterpretation in the marketplace.
Contrary to a common perception, LEED does not rate individual building products.  A product can contribute in this area but that is all.

## Recycled Content

- REQUIREMENT:
- Use materials with recycled content such that the sum of post-consumer recycled content plus 1⁄2 post-industrial recycled content constitutes at least 5% of the total value of the materials in the project.  An additional point can be earned by reaching 10% threshold. (1-2 points)

- Materials and Resources

**Notes:**
A project can earn up to two points by specifying building materials with recycled content.
(Read requirements.)
Sounds confusing doesn’t it?  I think you’ll get a more clear understanding once we break this down.

But first, let’s be clear that recycled content materials are building materials that include components that have recycled content and are processed off-site.

It’s also important to ensure that the recycled content materials perform equally or better than virgin materials in terms of durability and maintenance.  If a recycled content product is not as durable, the benefits to the environment may be compromised.

The USGBC states (and we agree) that its important to not only incorporate products with recycled content, but product that are also recyclable.

The USGBC also encourages you to ensure that the actual materials installed are those that were specified in the construction documents.

Most importantly, document the percentage of post consumer recycled content and post industrial recycled content for recycled content calculations and be careful of discretely placed manufacturer disclaimers that allows them to substitute virgin materials on products they represent as being recycled without notice to you.  We will talk about how to address this problem a little later.

A higher value is given to post-consumer because it is typically more difficult to recover and divert post-consumer materials from landfills than post-industrial. 

## Calculate Recycled Content Value

- The value of the recycled content portion of a material or furnishing shall be determined by dividing the weight of recycled content in the item by the total weight of all material in the item, then multiplying percentage by the total value of the item.

## (1⁄2)

- Calculate Recycled Content Value

**Material Costs [$] ****x**

**%**** Post-**
**Consumer**

**+**

**%**** Post-**
**Industrial**

- (1⁄2)

**Notes:**
There are two steps in determining whether your project will get points in this credit.

The first step is to calculate the recycled content value of the materials that you are considering.  To do this, it is helpful to create a spreadsheet listing all materials used on the project and their costs.  Identify those products that contain recycled content materials and differentiate between post-consumer and post-industrial.  Most building products will have only one type of recycled content but some products will contain both.

Use this very simple equation to determine the the recycled value for each product.

## (1⁄2)

- Calculate Recycled Content Value

**$200,000***

**x**

***(10,000 yards of *****Habitat*****)**

**7%**

**+**

**38%**

- (1⁄2)

**Notes:**
For example, say you were considering specifying 10,000 yards of Habitat, a high-performance carpet tile made by my company that contains 45% recycled content and is priced at $20 per yard.

Habitat contains 7% post-consumer recycled content and 38% post-industrial.

## Calculate Recycled Content Value

**Recycled Content**
**Value**

**[$]  =**

**$200,000* ****x  ****26% = ****$52,000**

***(10,000 yards of *****Habitat*****)**

**Notes:**
By using this equation, we determine the recycled content value for the carpet tile is $52,000.

## Calculate Recycled Content Percentage

- Material

- Material Cost

- %Post-Consumer

- %Post-Industrial

- Recycled Content

- carpet tile

- 200,000

- $

- 7%

- 38%

- 52,000

- $

- broadloom

- 200,000

- $

- 6%

-   6,000

- $

- ceiling tiles

- 55,000

- $

- 20%

- 15%

- 15,125

- $

- concrete

- 195,000

- $

- rebar

- 86,000

- $

- 65%

- 55,900

- $

- brick

- 28,500

- $

- 15%

- 2,138

- $

- rough carpentry

- 420,347

- $

**TOTAL**

**1,184,847**

**$    **

** **

**131,163**

**$            **

** **

**Percentage of Total Material Cost**

**11%**

**Notes:**
It is then necessary to perform the same function for all the building materials and products.

Here is a very simplified spreadsheet that illustrates this credit.  Note that the value of the recycled content exceeds 11% so you would earn two points if this example were your project.

It’s also important to note that unlike LEED 2.0, furniture is now included in this credit.  These products were excluded in LEED 1.0 and 2.0.

## Materials and Resources

- Federal Trade Commission’s
- Environmental Marketing Guides
- 1. Basis of Claims
- 2. Environmentally Friendly Claims
- 3. Degradable/Biodegradable/Photodegradable
- 4. Recyclability
- 5. Recycled Content
- 6. Clarity of Claims, Qualifiers, Disclaimers

**Notes:**
Due to proliferation of “greenwash,” you, as design professionals, have a very difficult task in separating fact from fiction when it comes to recycling programs.  I recommend being particularly cautious when it comes to accepting environmental marketing claims.  

Fortunately, there are a couple of tools that have emerged and may be helpful to you in evaluating marketing claims of product recyclability.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides on Environmental Marketing” were developed specifically to protects consumers from the proliferation of unsubstantiated marketing claims about environmental preferability.  These standards are specifically referenced in LEED 2.1.
The FTC Guides actually define what recyclability, recycled content, biodegradable and other terms that some manufacturers may take liberties with.

For example, some manufacturers market and represent their products as being “recyclable” based on the hope and expectation that they will have developed and implemented the necessary processes to recycle the product when it’s ready to be replaced in 10 or 15 years.  The FTC says that you cannot represent a product as being recyclable unless you have a currently operation program in place.

So the FTC Guides suggest some questions you may want to consider asking all manufacturers as a part of your evaluation.

(You should refer to C&A’s white paper and distribute at the end of the presentation.)

## Third-Party Certification

-  Recycled Content
-  Recyclability

- Materials and Resources

**Notes:**
Earlier we talked about the necessity of having confidence in the products you are recommending to your clients do in fact contain the levels of recycled content that the manufacturers represent.

Like product recyclability, the area of recycled content can be the source of confusion due to vaguely worded marketing claims.

At the very least, the USGBC requires project directors to submit cut sheets or specification sheets that clearly indicate whether the material contains post-consumer or post-industrial recycled materials or both. If these sheets are not available for a product, you should obtain a written affidavit from the product manufacturer stating the amounts of recycled content in accordance with the FTC Guides.

One positive trend that is gaining in practice is the use of independent third-party testing agencies to “certify” the accuracy of manufacturer claims of recycled content and recyclability.  These agencies, such as Scientific Certification Systems -- which has emerged as one of the leading testing organizations in the building materials industry -- perform scientific analysis and conduct on-site audits of manufacturing processes to verify environmental claims in accordance with the FTC.  (Refer to SCS white paper and distribute after the presentation.)
You can expect to see more and more products made from recycled content with certification labels like this SCS label for Habitat.  It’s important to emphasize that these are not efforts to mandate particular levels of recycled content.  The point is to establish standards in holding manufacturers accountable to their own claims and eliminate greenwash.  You and your clients should demand this.

## Indoor Environmental Quality

- Prerequisite 1: Minimum IAQ Performance
- Prerequisite 2: ETS Control
- Credit 1: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitoring
- Credit 2: Ventilation Efficiency
- Credit 3: Construction IAQ Management Plan
- Credit 4: Low-Emitting Materials
- Credit 5: Indoor Chemical and Pollution
-              Source Control
- Credit 6: Controllability of Systems
- Credit 7: Thermal Comfort
- Credit 8: Daylight and Views

**Notes:**
According to the USGBC, Americans spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors. As a result, the quality of the indoor environment has a significant influence on health, productivity, and quality of life.

The EPA says that indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of the top five public heath hazards.  Ironically, it was a highly  publicized case involving the EPA that increased awareness about “sick-building syndrome” when 19 employees of the EPA sued for and won $1 million based on building related illnesses and multiple chemical sensitivities.

More recently, last year, the Ohio State Supreme Court awarded an employee $400,000 from her employer after she became ill from chemical fumes from the installation of carpet in the building she worked in.  (May want to mention it was likely the adhesives used since there is minimal off-gassing from the actual carpet.)

There are two prerequisites and eight credit areas in the Indoor Environmental Quality section. Most relate to IAQ issues, but three credits relate to overall occupant comfort and well-being.  These credits are (6) controllability of systems; (7) thermal comfort; and (8) daylight and views.

## Indoor Environmental Quality

- Prerequisite 1: Minimum IAQ Performance
- Prerequisite 2: ETS Control
- Credit 1: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitoring
- Credit 2: Increase Ventilation Effectiveness
- Credit 3: Construction IAQ Management Plan
- Credit 4: Low-Emitting Materials
- Credit 5: Indoor Chemical and Pollution
-              Source Control
- Credit 6: Controllability of Systems
- Credit 7: Thermal Comfort
- Credit 8: Daylight and Views

**Notes:**
The credit I would like to focus on is the credit for low-emitting materials.

## Indoor Environmental Quality

- Low-Emitting Materials

- REQUIREMENT:  Meet or exceed VOC limits for adhesives, sealants, paints, composite wood products, and carpet systems as follows:
-  Carpet systems must meet or exceed the Carpet
-    and Rug Institute Green Label Indoor Air Quality
-    Test Program. (1 point)
-  Adhesives must meet or exceed the VOC limits of
-   South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule
-   #1168, AND all sealants used as filler must meet
-   or exceed Bay Area Air Resources Board Reg. 8,
-   Rule 51. (1 point)

**Notes:**
Up to four points can be earned in the Low-Emitting Materials credit.

The intent is straight forward: to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous or potentially irritating to provide installer and occupant health and comfort.

The requirements address reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), chemical compounds that contribute to air pollution inside and outside of buildings. VOCs are of concern because they react with sunlight and nitrogen in the atmosphere to form gound-level ozone -- a major component of smog.

The first two points are relevant to carpet, and frankly, most carpet manufacturers, including C&A,  will have no problem complying with them.

South Coast Rule #1168 places VOC limits on carpet adhesives at 50 grams per liter.

(RS, C14 and C16 fall well under this limit. C&A’s C54 seam-weld compound does not.  However, C99, which is water soluble, does.)

## Indoor Environmental Quality

- Low-Emitting Materials

-  Paints and coatings must meet or exceed the
-    VOC and chemical component limits of Green
-    Seal requirements. (1 point)
-  Composite wood or agrifiber products must
-    contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins.
-    (1 point)

**Notes:**
The other two points address paints and coatings and wood products.

## Indoor Environmental Quality

- Low-Emitting Materials
- EQ Credit 4.5 1 point
- Furniture and Furnishings

-  Intent: Reduce the use of furniture assemblies that may release indoor air contaminants that are odorous or potentially irritating and might be deleterious to installer and occupant health, comfort and well-being

**Notes:**
The other two points address paints and coatings and wood products.

## Indoor Environmental Quality

- Low-Emitting Materials
- EQ Credit 4.5 1 point
- Furniture and Furnishings

-  Requirement: Use systems furniture and office seating that is Greenguard certified
-  Or: Use systems furniture and office seating whose emissions meet or are lower than the best practice air emissions standards as established by USEPA Environmental Technology Verification

**Notes:**
The other two points address paints and coatings and wood products.

## Indoor Environmental Quality

- Low-Emitting Materials
- EQ Credit 4.5 1 point
- Furniture and Furnishings

-  USEPA Environmental Technology Verification
- The following levels must be reached within one week of   unpacking and installation
-  Emissions Limits for Furniture Systems
- TVOC’s		<0.5 mg/m3
- Formaldehyde	<0.05 ppm
- Total Aldehydes	<0.1 ppm
- 4-PC (as an odorant)	Below the limits of detection

**Notes:**
The other two points address paints and coatings and wood products.

## Indoor Environmental Quality

- Low-Emitting Materials
- EQ Credit 4.5 1 point
- Furniture and Furnishings

-  USEPA Environmental Technology Verification
- The following levels must be reached within one week of   unpacking and installation
-  Emissions Limits for Office Seating
- TVOC’s		<0.25 mg/m3
- Formaldehyde	<0.025 ppm
- Total Aldehydes	<0.05 ppm
- 4-PC (as an odorant)	Below the limits of detection

**Notes:**
The other two points address paints and coatings and wood products.

## Innovation and Design Process

- Credit 1: Exceptional performance above requirements or innovative performance in categories not specifically addressed by LEED 2.1. (1-4 points)
-  Responses to regional sustainability issues.
-  Unique project types and locations.
-  Emerging sustainable design topics and innovations.
- Credit 2: At least one principal participant of the project team that has successfully completed the LEED Accredited Professional exam. (1 point)

**Notes:**
The Innovation and Design Process section is the “extra-credit” part of LEED.
There are two types of innovation strategies that qualify for LEED points.  One type of innovation strategy is to greatly exceed the requirements of an existing LEED credit.  For example, if a project incorporates energy or water efficiency measures that greatly exceed the requirements set forth by LEED, than an innovation credit is available to recognize an extraordinary effort.

The other type of innovation strategy is a measure that is not addressed by any LEED credits. An example of such a measure might include extraordinary educational benefits, community benefits, or environmental mitigation.  While LEED is a comprehensive rating system, there are some sustainable measures that have not been addressed and this credit is included to cover these special circumstances and encourage creativity.

Finally, the last point is offered to encourage the design integration required by a LEED project and to streamline the application and certification process.  Architects, interior designers, engineers, consultants, facility managers -- in fact anyone interested in sustainable building design are all appropriate candidates for accreditation.  The accredited professional should be the contact person for the LEED application and should be an integral part of the project design team.

The process for becoming accredited is to successfully pass the LEED Accredited Professional exam which is administered at testing sites all over the country throughout the year.  Before you take the exam, you may wish to attend a LEED workshop.  Information about the workshop and exam can be found at the USGBC website, www.usgbc.org.

## LEED Projects

-  54 Certified Projects
-  More than 600 Registered Projects

**Notes:**
LEED is quickly becoming the most recognized green building rating system in the world.

While only 40 projects have actually been certified (as of February of 2003), more than 600 have been registered.

An updated list of certified and registered projects can be found on the USGBC website, www.usgbc.org.

There is diversity in the types of projects.  Corporate and government offices, educational institutions including universities, primary schools, research facilities, public libraries, retail, hotels, restaurants, medical buildings, and even airports.

## www.usgbc.org 

- LEED Certification Process

-  A three-step process:
- 1.   Project Registration (online or mail)
-   welcome packet; online project listing
- 2.   Technical Support (online)
-   credit rulings
- 3.   Building Certification
-   documentation submittal and USGBC
-    review
**www.usgbc.org**

**Notes:**
Here’s how you get started.

More information can be obtained by contacting the USGBC.

## “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
- 		  – Peter Drucker

## THANK YOU