Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: Schools, LEED BD+C: Schools, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.0, v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - LEED 2.2, v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - LEED 2.0, v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - LEED 2.0, v3 - LEED 2009

Inquiry

We propose the following design innovation on the basis of exemplary performance against the Materials and Resources Prerequisite 1: Storage and Collection of Materials, submitted on the basis that the client significantly exceed the requirements of the prerequisite, through the implementation of an award winning campus recycling program. The client (AHM) operate a Campus-wide recycling program serving all existing buildings within the Torrance campus. This program will be extended to incorporate this new building. This program has been in place for over 5 years and has won a number of awards including WRAP awards (Waste Reduction Awards Program) which is run by the State of California. Not content with merely maintaining this program, the client (AHM) are continuously trying to improve upon the existing program and further increase the % of waste that is recycled. Since receiving the 2004 WRAP of the year award, AHM has increased its recycling efforts by approximately 22%. This increase has come in spite of AHM\'s effort to eliminate duplicate reports, periodicals, newspapers, and their continued efforts to reduce the use of office paper, and other recyclable products. This was accomplished by; improving and increasing their "AHM Recycling, Reduction and Elimination" communications and related programs that involved the total employee population. They have been able to eliminate non-recyclables from the recyclable products through employee awareness and improved sorting methods. AHM also provide inhouse waste reduction training for their staff. By sponsoring and publicizing their recent win of the 2004 "WRAP of the Year Award" AHM has been able to further increase awareness, participation, pride, and appreciation in all of our waste reduction programs at the Torrance campus. AHM has adopted a policy of re-using materials in the construction of new products and buildings, and purchase recycled products were possible. Used furniture and all office equipment are now first considered for future moves and relocations within our organization. AHM now reuses tapes and diskettes, as well as donating used tapes and diskettes to non-profit organizations for continued use. Thousands of pounds of office equipment is either reused or donated to non-profit organizations, rather than being disposed of to landfills. New recyclable products have also been added to our recyclable collection programs (i.e. CD\'s / Jewel cases, wire harnesses etc). In back up to this Design Innovation, copies of the 2005 WRAP application and a summary of the 2005 Recycling & Waste Prevention Summary which demonstrates an 88.72% diversion rate for the site are available and will be submitted as part of the LEED submittal. AHM are continuing their commitment to Recycling and will be submitting later this year for the 2006 WRAP awards.