Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, 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

Innovation Credit Inquiry for PVC Intent: To eliminate the use of PVC to the extent possible due to the hazards of PVC production and disposal. Description: One of the program goals for this project was to eliminate the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to the extent possible. The Pentagon Renovation Program required in their statement of work that PVC should be eliminated unless: a. There was not an alternative product b. Alternative product selection compromised performance c. Alternative product selection had an unacceptable impact to budget or schedule (note that the program did pay more for some non-PVC products). The purpose for attempting to eliminate PVC is as follows: Toxicity liabilities: The manufacturing of PVC burdens the environment with numerous environmentally undesirable byproducts. - The lifecycle of PVC production creates four persistent organic pollutants that are identified for phase-out under the United Nations Environment Program POP Treaty. - Ethylene dichloride (EDC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) which are released to air and water during manufacture of PVC are toxic and carcinogenic. - When PVC is incinerated as part of a Municipal Solid Waste strategy, toxic dioxins are formed as a byproduct of incomplete combustion. - Chemical additives called phthalates are added to PVC to enhance performance characteristics such as flexibility. These compounds are typically DEHP and MEHP which affect bronchial contracting receptors and thereby generates a hyper reactive condition in the lungs. Because these additives are not chemically bonded, they tend to leach out of the PVC causing indoor air quality to be compromised. Lack of market stewardship: According to the Worldwatch Institute, global PVC production exceeded 25 million tons in 1999. By 2002, it is estimated that the figure will rise to 33 million tons. Accordingly, although 250 million tons of PVC are in use today it is estimated that over 100 million tons have been landfilled or incinerated. The production of one ton of chlorine requires about 3,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Since 40 percent of chlorine is attributed to PVC production, the energy burden for PVC is about 1,800 kilowatt-hours per tons of product. Because the PVC industry does not promote any kind of product stewardship initiatives, from the perspective of both resources and energy consumption, there is no credible proactive effort to enhance the properties of PVC to characterize it as a sustainable material. Reclamation deficiencies: In the document Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste, the EPA estimates that 970 thousand tons of PVC were generated in 1999 of which only a "negligible" amount was recovered. So small is PVC recycling, in fact, the amount recognized for discards equals the amount of material generated. Because PVC must be produced with a number of additives such as lead and cadmium to produce unique characteristics, it is difficult and expensive to reclaim resins. Most recycling that does occur is post-industrial which means that nearly everything that has entered the consumer market will eventually be landfilled or incinerated. The project team did evaluate the environmental impacts of those materials that were specified in lieu of PVC. For this project, a number of different products were specified where PVC might have conventionally been a "default" selection. These included, but were not limited to: - High density polyethylene (HDPE), for wastewater, potable water, foundation drainage and sprinkler systems. - Bentonite waterstops in lieu of PVC waterstops. - Linoleum (rapidly renewable material), in lieu of PVC flooring - Carpet tile with recycled PVC backing Could an innovation credit be achieved for the elimination of PVC (including the use of contract language to eliminate PVC) to the extent possible on this project?