LEED-H Materials & Resources
The MR section of LEED for Homes (LEED-H) concerns itself with the efficient utilization of materials, selection of environmentally preferable materials and the minimization of waste during construction. This is were we gain points for using environmentally responsible material. We must gain at least 2 points in this section
MR 1 - Material-Efficient Framing
1.1 Framing Order Waste Factor Limit (prereq) - A sometimes forgotten goal of sustainable building is the reduction of waste and material going into land fills. LEED mandates limiting waste to 10% of the wood material ordered to build your home.
1.2 Detailed Framing Documents (1 pt) - The first step in reducing waste is knowing what material you need. By creating detailed framing plans for your new home we know exactly what material we need and also find potential problems in the design process, saving time and money.
1.3 Detailed Cut List and Lumber Order (1 pt) - Once we have created the detailed framing drawings we can create detailed cut list to further minimize waste during framing your new home.
1.4 Framing Efficiencies (3 pt)- By simply changing the way we frame your home and choosing better material, we limit the impact on the forest and the environment. The program offers several methods to accomplish this credit. We gain all three points that are available here.
1.5 Off-Site Fabrication - This credit rewards companies that build homes offsite in a controlled factory environment because they are able to reduce waste to almost 0.
MR 2 - Environmentally Preferable Products
2.1 FSC Certified Tropical Wood (prereq) - It's hard not to hear a news story about global warming or the loss of the rain forest these days. The USGBC takes this topic so seriously it only allows wood from the rain forest area of the world if it is certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council. The FSC is the only independent responsible forestry group, not run by the lumber industry.
2.2 Environmentally Preferable Products (8 pt) - This credit rewards us for using products that are easy on the environment, locally produced and contain recycled material. There are a multitude options for gaining 1/2 pt at a time, while the whole credit is limited to only 8 points. We normally use material that would total greater than 8 points if it were allowed. Visit our Specifications page to see some of them.
MR 3 - Waste Management
3.1 Construction Waste Management Planning (prereq) - Reducing framing waste is not enough. This prerequisite addresses reducing waste throughout the construction process, and documenting how it will be reduced.
3.2 Construction Waste Reduction (1 pt) - This credit is another performance credit. 3 points are available and awarded based on actual waste produced onsite. We always expect at least 1 point for diverting over 1/3 of our waste to recycling.
Summary - Use of responsible materials and recycling onsite, just like you do at home, gain us 13 points and a lot less waste in the land fills.