Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.1

Inquiry

Our client has rigorous durability/maintenance standards for the project\'s lobby tile, in addition to our desire to specify one with recycled content. After extensive study, we have found only one that meets our requirements, and that is Crossville\'s GeoStone Eco-Cycle, who\'s marketing material (listed in Building Green\'s website under "Recycled Content")states, "Crossville Porcelain Stone offers a line of ceramic tile called GeoStone EcoCycle made from 50-100% unfired raw materials generated during the manufacturing process of standard-color porcelain tiles, including a small percentage of dust from the air and water filtration systems." In previous CIRs, it has been stated that a material cannot count toward this credit if the material is "industrial scrap." When the manufacturer was contacted, we were told that the product contained over 40% post-industrial recycled content because they utilize the sediment found in their wastewater. Our question is, from this description, would the so-called recycled content in this product be considered "industrial scrap?" There is quite a large amount of it in the project, and therefore it has a significant cost impact on our Recycled Content credit.