Rating System

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

Rating System Version

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

Inquiry

If a project is located in a remote area without full recycling services available, can this prerequisite be met by providing recycling containers for the materials which can be recycled nearby, but not for those materials which cannot? Our project is located in Curlew, WA, an unincorporated community, population 1800, surrounded by other small towns. (The nearest towns with population of more than 2000 are Grand Forks (population 4200), which is across the border in Canada, and Colville (population 5000), which is 50 miles away.) Curlew does not have curbside recycling, but has a drop-off recycling facility which accepts newspaper, corrugated cardboard, tin cans, and aluminum cans. This facility is less than 1/2 mile from the project. We propose to provide recycling receptacles for these materials, but not for glass, white paper, or plastics, since those cannot be recycled in this community. It would be the building occupants\' responsibility to take the recyclables to the drop-off location. A filter system has been installed on the break room sink in order to encourage use of reusable bottles (and thereby discourage the use of purchased bottled water) by the building occupants, which should reduce the amount of plastic bottles in the waste stream from the building. Also, no vending machines will be provided in the building, which will also reduce the consumption of plastic or aluminum beverage cans. If the proposed method of compliance is not sufficient, please provide further guidance as to exactly what would be required for a project in this sort of setting to meet this prerequisite.