ALTERNATIVE DAILY COVER
Although in some jurisdictions, construction and demolition waste is used as alternative daily cover, that is not an acceptable strategy for waste diversion within the Living Building Challenge. Incineration or allocation as “alternative daily cover” is not considered diverted and must be counted as waste.
COMMINGLED FACILITIES
If project teams are using a commingled recycling/diversion facility that accepts combined (unsorted) waste, only those facilities that can document a minimum average monthly diversion rate at the overall level required for the Imperative (80% for Core, 90% for LBC) for ALL materials leaving their facility are eligible. Either a project-based commingled diversion rate or a facility-based diversion rate can be documented. Diverted materials are those that are recycled, reused, salvaged, or composted. Materials that are incinerated or allocated to “alternative daily cover” may not be included in the facility’s diverted materials.
COMMINGLED WASTE
Commingled waste is any mixed waste stream that will require separation before it can be re-used, recycled or otherwise diverted from the landfill. Commingled waste that cannot be separated typically goes to a landfill or other “non-diverted” use (e.g., incineration). Commingled waste cannot include soil and biomass.
CONSTRUCTION WASTE MATERIAL
Construction waste materials include any materials that are on the site of, purchased for, or used for the project, but not permanently installed in the final project, including demolition waste, packaging waste, and excluding any hazardous materials. Temporary materials and all packaging waste that are disposed of during or at the end of the construction period must be included. Temporary materials that are purchased new for the project must be included, but can be considered diverted if they are saved and fit for reuse on another project. Temporary materials that were used on past projects and are still fit for reuse on further projects may be included at the project team’s discretion.
CONSTRUCTION WASTE MATERIAL DIVERSION
In order to meet high diversion rates, project teams are expected to go beyond business as usual in order to stimulate and support recycling innovators if necessary. Project teams are encouraged to examine alternative construction methods that might reduce the amount of product waste, particularly where no recycling infrastructure exists locally, and to consider the challenges of recycling when determining whether to use specific products in the project.
DEDICATED INFRASTRUCTURE
At a minimum, the project must include a functional collection area and have a policy or contract to process recyclables and compost for beneficial use during the occupancy phase of the project. An effort to ensure “best use” or otherwise go beyond basic recycling and composting is recommended, but not required.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Hazardous materials in demolition waste, such as lead-based paint, asbestos, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are exempt from percentage calculations, but must be tracked. Documentation of proper disposal is required.
RECYCLED VS. REUSED OR SALVAGED MATERIALS
Recycled materials are materials that have undergone major refurbishment or processing prior to reaching their current form within the project. Reused or salvaged materials are materials that have been previously used, but can be implemented within the project with little to no refurbishment or alteration.
For example, plastic or paper products that have been commercially processed into new source material or products are recycled. A beam, door or other materials that are extracted from another project and manipulated in a shop or on-site to be a revised or refurbished, but materially similar product, are considered reused or salvaged.
SURPLUS MATERIALS DIVERSION
It is acceptable for surplus materials and products to be donated or sold to any organization or business, or to be used by the project team or owner on another concurrent or scheduled project. Selling or giving away materials via informal markets like Craigslist is also an acceptable form of diversion. In all cases, there must be a plan in place to use all donated or sold materials in order to avoid the potential for the material to be disposed of after a period of disuse because it is not needed, can no longer be stored, is compromised, or for another reason.
Materials that are sold are presumed to have an intended use by the buyer. Materials that are donated require additional explanation as to the intended use and timeframe for reuse.
Heavy materials, such as soil, should be sold or donated as close to the project site as possible.
