The intent of this credit is to design buildings for low-waste operations. Reducing per capita waste is an important component of the Harvard University Sustainability Principles. The first principle advocates "institutional practices that promote sustainability, including measures to increase efficiency ... and to decrease production of waste and hazardous materials, both in Harvard’s own operations and in those of its suppliers."  This design element ensures that Harvard's buildings will have appropriate space dedicated to the collection and temporary storage of recyclables, and that recycling will be as easy as possible for occupants.   

Environmental inquiry throughout the university community is an important aspect of the Sustainability Principles. During HGCI waste audits, students collect data from trash that can then be utilized by staff to monitor and report on continuous improvement in reducing Harvard's waste.

Recycling is required by law in Cambridge. Including space for recycling early in the project process will avert any additional cost due to last-minute changes.

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Provide an easily accessible area that serves the entire building and is dedicated to the separation, collection and storage of materials for recycling including (at a minimum) paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics and metals."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 195

LEED-CI Version 2.0

• "Provide the LEED Letter Template, signed by the architect or owner, declaring that the area dedicated to recycling is easily accessible and accommodates the building’s recycling needs.
• Provide a plan showing the area(s) dedicated to recycled material collection and storage."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 195

• "Please provide documentation demonstrating that the recycling areas indicated on the provided plan are appropriately sized to accommodate the recycling material volumes generated by building occupants.
• Also provide a brief narrative explaining the accessibility of the recycling area to building occupants."

- LEED-CI version 2.0: Audited Credit Requirements; USGBC

Mather Dunster

Landmark

Harvard Recycling Program

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Occupant commits to remain in the same location for not less than 10 years."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 201

LEED-CI Version 2.0

"Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the building owner or other responsible party, declaring that the building occupant either owns its space or has signed a lease for at least 10 years."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 201

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

Mather Dunster

The purpose of this credit is to conserve and salvage existing material and cultural resources, and to reduce the environmental impacts of new construction. This design aspect supports the Harvard University Sustainability Principles.  Reusing existing building stock encourages preservation of open space and campus ecosystems.  Preservation of existing or historic buildings supports continuous institutional memory and university history.

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Maintain at least 40% by area of the existing non-shell, non-structure components (walls, flooring and ceilings)."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 203

LEED-CI Version 2.0

"Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the architect, interior designer, owner or other responsible party, listing the retained elements and declaring that the credit requirements have been met."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 203

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

This credit has not yet been achieved by a LEED-CI project at Harvard.

The intent of this credit is to reduce waste, fossil fuels burned in transit, and material consumption. The first of the six Harvard University Sustainability Principles is a commitment to continuous improvement in “institutional practices that promote sustainability, including measures to increase efficiency and use of renewable resources, and to decrease production of waste and hazardous materials, both in Harvard’s own operations and in those of its suppliers." The sixth sustainability principle states that Harvard commits to “establishing indicators for sustainability that will enable monitoring reporting and continuous improvement." The documentation required from the contractor to divert waste from disposal is one method for the university to monitor progress. See Institution Recycling Network's Construction Waste Management Comparison chart for Harvard projects.

Effective July 1, 2006, Massachusetts implemented a Waste Ban on disposal, incineration, or transfer for disposal at solid waste disposal facilities of asphalt pavement, brick, concrete, and metal. The ban also prohibits wood disposal or transfer for disposal at landfills. These materials must be recycled. The King County, Washington, Construction Recycling Program website provides a calculator to determine recycling costs. John Gundling of Institution Recycling Network calculated the cost of recycling versus disposal for a project at Radcliffe, and found recycling to be less expensive.

Some contractors are concerned that costs will increase as workers sort waste. Lessons from a Harvard internship in C&D waste from summer 2002 are that the key is to not work longer, but to work smarter. It takes 73 minutes as opposed to 78 minutes to dump off-cuts from gypsum board as opposed to stacking it and dollying it to a dumpster for recycling. The salvaged, clean gypsum can be used to make acoustic ceiling tiles.

[Blackstone Metal, Wood, and Aggregate Demolition/Construction Recycling]

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Develop and implement a construction waste management plan, quantifying material diversion goals. Recycle and/or salvage at least 50% (75%) of construction, demolition and packaging debris. Calculation may be done by weight or volume, but must be consistent throughout."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, pages 211-212

LEED-CI Version 2.0

"Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the architect, interior designer, owner or other responsible party, declaring that the credit requirements have been met and listing each material or product used to meet the credit. Include details demonstrating that the project incorporates the required percentage of reused materials and products and showing their costs and the total cost of all materials for the project."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, pages 211-212

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

Mather Dunster (95.42%)

Several recent Harvard LEED projects have achieved extremely high recycling rates. Blackstone recycled over 99% of waste. Set recycling goals early and high. Blackstone specified 87.5% recycling in its CD specifications, but achieved much higher. Over 95% of waste was recycled at Hamilton Hall, Mather Dunster, and 90 Mount Auburn Street, and over 90% at Schlesinger Library. An Innovation and Design credit is available for projects achieving over 95% recycling rates. Several Harvard projects have worked with the Institution Recycling Network to divert significant amounts of waste from landfills. In spring of 2005, IRN shipped walk-in refrigerators from Blackstone to Sri Lanka for tsunami relief. Contact: John Gundling, jgundling@ir-network.com or 603-568-1436.

Harvard Real Estate Services, FAS Project Management and Harvard University Dining Services have all worked with Facilities Maintenance Organization and the Boston Materials Resource Center to cull valuable resources before the wrecking ball hits. Prior to planning for demolition for renovation or new construction, contact Harvard Recycling and Waste Management to arrange salvage, reuse and recycling of existing building furniture and building components. In addition, we can provide frequent recycling pickups for cardboard, cans, bottles and other packaging material routinely generated at construction sites. Contact Rob Gogan, Harvard Solid Waste and Recycling, rob_gogan@harvard.edu or  617-495-3042.  

A key lesson on diverting construction and demolition waste from landfills is to begin early in coordinating with any possible donor recipients in order to identify suitable building parts. In addition, the scheduling is crucial; deconstruction crew members need to be able to complete their work before a wrecking crew arrives on site.

Blank Harvard Waste Audit Form

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Construction Demolition Waste Project Planning Tools (includes cost calculators, bid specs, and guides)

Boston Materials Resource Center

The intent of this design element is to encourage the reuse of building materials through salvage or refurbishment. Reusing resources is a low-embodied energy solution with a low environmental impact. The Sustainability Principles point Harvard University in a direction toward effective use of local resources. The implementation of this design element reduces the extraction of materials from virgin resources, and saves landfill space and money by reusing resources that have already been made and purchased.

Using salvaged materials saves the cost of purchasing new materials. However, The Davis Langdon study points out that most projects are not able to achieve the materials reuse credit "because there is not enough opportunity for use of salvaged, refurbished or reused materials, products or furnishings to meet the 5 percent of 10 percent thresholds" (Matthiessen, Fay and Morris, 18). For the full cite, see Financial Links.

This credit has not yet been achieved by a Harvard LEED project.

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Use salvaged, refurbished or reused materials for at least 5% (10%) of building (construction) materials, excluding furniture and furnishings."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, pages 219-220

LEED-CI Version 2.0

"Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the architect, interior designer, owner or other responsible party, declaring that the credit requirements have been met and listing each material or product used to meet the credit. Include details demonstrating that the project incorporates the required percentage of reused materials and products and showing their costs and the total cost of all materials for the project."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, pages 219-220

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

This credit has not yet been achieved by a project at Harvard. 

Boston Materials Resource Center

The intent of this design element is to encourage the reuse of building materials through salvage or refurbishment. Reusing resources is a low-embodied energy solution with a low environmental impact. The Sustainability Principles point Harvard University in a direction toward effective use of local resources. The implementation of this design element reduces the extraction of materials from virgin resources, saves landfill space and saves money by reusing resources that have already been made and purchased.

Using salvaged materials saves the cost of purchasing new materials. However, The Davis Langdon study points out that most projects are not able to achieve the materials reuse credit "because there is not enough opportunity for use of salvaged, refurbished or reused materials, products or furnishings to meet the 5 percent of 10 percent thresholds" (Matthiessen, Fay and Morris, 18). For the full cite, see Financial Links.

This credit has not yet been achieved by a Harvard LEED project.

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Use salvaged, refurbished or used furniture and furnishings for 30% of the total furniture and furnishings budget."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 226

LEED-CI Version 2.0

"Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the architect, interior designer, owner or other responsible party, declaring that the credit requirements have been met.

Provide a listing of the reused furniture and furnishings with their replacement value and documentation for the value of the balance of new furniture and furnishings."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 226

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

Mather Dunster (69.89%)

Boston Materials Resource Center

Purchasing recycled-content materials fosters a transition toward sustainability through the creation of an end market for materials that would otherwise be sent to the landfill and reduces the use of virgin materials. Recycled-content materials decrease production of waste in the operations of Harvard’s suppliers, one of the first goals of the Harvard University Sustainability Principles. Measuring the recycled content of building materials is “one indicator for sustainability that will enable monitoring reporting and continuous improvement," a tenet of the sixth sustainability principle.

The Davis Langdon study Cost of Green Revisited found that most projects can achieve this design element at "minimal or no added cost." (Matthiessen, Fay and Morris, 18). For the full cite, see Financial Links. Version 2.2 of LEED has increased the percentages necessary to be awarded MR credits 4.1 and 4.2.

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

• "Use materials, including Division 12 (Furniture and Furnishings), with recycled content such that the sum of post-consumer recycled content plus one-half of the post-industrial content constitutes at least 10% (20%) of the total value of the materials in the project.
• The value of the recycled content portion of a material shall be determined by dividing the weight of recycled content in the item by the total weight of all material in the item, then multiplying the resulting percentage by the total value of the item.
• Mechanical and electrical components shall not be included in this calculation. Recycled content materials shall be defined in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission document, Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, 16 CFR 260.7 (e), available at www.ftc.gov/bcp/grnrule/guides980427.htm."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, pages 229-230

LEED-CI Version 2.0

• "Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the architect, owner or other responsible party, declaring that the above requirements have been met and listing the recycled content products used. Include details demonstrating that the project incorporates the required percentage of recycled content materials and products and showing their cost and percentage(s) of post-consumer and/or post-industrial content, and the total cost of all materials for the project."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, pages 229-230

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

Landmark (30.45%)

EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Program

Recycled Content Product Directory - California Integrated Waste Management Board

Green Spec Building Green, Inc.

The purchase of locally manufactured building materials supports the local economy, which aligns with the fourth Sustainability Principle to "support long-term economic, environmental and socially responsible decision-making."

In order to enable comparative analysis of sustainability implications, life cycle analysis of building materials is necessary. In addition to local economic benefits of the use of locally extracted and manufactured building materials, their overall embodied energy is lower due to shorter distances traveled in transport of the materials and thereby less overall energy.

The intent of selecting regional materials is that it stimulates the local economy and decreases the overall amount of energy used to transport building materials to the site.

The Davis Langdon study found that "with the modifications made to this requirement under LEED 2.2, which added the requirement for local extraction as well as local manufacture, this credit became very difficult to achieve." Therefore it is difficult to assess what the cost implications may be. (Matthiessen, Fay and Morris, 18). For the full cite, see Financial Links.

The study Green Value suggests that locally sourced materials can have a significant positive impact on the economy of the local community. (Green Value. Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, October 2005)

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

MRc5.1:

"Use a minimum of 20% of the combined value of construction and Division 12 (Furniture) materials and products that are manufactured regionally within a radius of 500 miles. Manufacturing refers to the final assembly of components into the building product that is furnished and installed by the tradesmen. For example, if the hardware comes from Dallas, Texas, the lumber from Vancouver, British Columbia, and the joist is assembled in Kent, Washington, then the location of the final assembly is Kent, Washington."

MRc5.2:

"In addition to the requirements of MR 5.1, use a minimum of 10% of the combined value of construction and Division 12 (Furniture) materials and products extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, pages 237-238

LEED-CI Version 2.0

MRc5.1:

"Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the architect, interior designer, owner or other responsible party, declaring that the credit requirements have been met. Include calculations demonstrating that the project incorporates the required percentage of regional materials/products and showing their cost, percentage of regional components, distance from project to manufacturer, and the total cost of all materials for the project."

MRc5.2

"Provide the LEED Letter Template, signed by the architect, interior designer, owner or other responsible party, declaring that the credit requirements have been met. Include calculations demonstrating that the project incorporates the required percentage of regionally extracted and manufactured materials/products and showing their cost, percentage of regional components, distance from project to the points of extraction and manufacture, and the total cost of all materials for the project."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, pages 237-238

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

Mather Dunster (44.43%)

Landmark

The intent of this credit is to select and incorporate rapidly renewable materials into the building and site design in order to encourage the development of those markets and to promote efficiency in the production of the building materials. The first of the Sustainability Principles states that the university is committed to continuous improvement in "demonstrating institutional practices that promote sustainability, including measures to increase efficiency and use of renewable resources...both in Harvard’s own operations and in those of its suppliers." In order to "support long-term economic, environmental and socially responsible decision-making," the university is committed to continuous improvement in developing planning tools such as life cycle analysis for different materials. Initial research shows that rapidly renewable materials are environmentally preferable because of their low embodied energy and their low toxicity.

The Davis Langdon study found that, previously, the cost for compliance to these credits was significant, even though some rapidly renewable materials could be incorporated into the project at low cost. The high percentage threshold made it difficult to identify enough materials to meet it. LEED 2.2 has lowered the threshold, making this credit more achievable. (Matthiessen, Fay and Morris, 19). For the full cite, see Financial Links.

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Use rapidly renewable construction and Division 12 (Furniture and Furnishings) materials and products, made from plants that are typically harvested within a 10-year or shorter cycle, for 5% of the total value ($) of all materials and products used in the project."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 243

LEED-CI Version 2.0

• "Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the architect, interior designer, owner or other responsible party, declaring that the credit requirements have been met. Include calculations demonstrating that the project incorporates the required percentage of rapidly renewable products.
  Show their cost and percentage of rapidly renewable components, and the total cost of all materials for the project."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 243

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

This credit has not yet been achieved by a project at Harvard.

Building Green, Inc Green Spec

Environmental Design and Construction

The intent of this credit is to specify and utilize Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood for structure, framing, rough carpentry and finish carpentry. The use of FSC certified wood is a way that the university promotes the long term health and productivity of forests. The goal of the first Sustainability Principles is to "demonstrate institutional practices that promote sustainability, including measures to increase efficiency and use of renewable resources, and to decrease production of waste ... both in Harvard’s own operations and in those of its suppliers." By specifying FSC certified wood, the university encourages its suppliers to provide sustainable products, thereby influencing the market place. Life cycle analysis of FSC wood would be value to follow through with the fourth Sustainability Principle, which is a commitment to "developing planning tools to enable comparative analysis of sustainability implications and to support long-term economic, environmental and socially responsible decision-making."

In regards to the cost of certified wood, the Forest Stewardship Council states: "Like all products it depends on the availability but on the whole familiar items will be roughly the same price as non-FSC items." (FSC)

LEED-CI Version 2.0

See updated Credit Interpretation Rulings issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"When using new wood-based products and materials, use a minimum of 50% that are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council’s Principles and Criteria. Division 12 (Furnishings & Furniture) material value is included in the determination of the certified wood content."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 249

LEED-CI Version 2.0

"Provide the LEED-CI Letter Template, signed by the architect, interior designer, owner or other responsible party, declaring that the credit requirements have been met and listing the FSC-certified materials and products used. Include calculations demonstrating that the project incorporates the required percentage of FSC-certified materials/products and their cost together with the total cost of all materials for the project. For each material/product used to meet these requirements, provide the vendor’s or manufacturer’s Forest Stewardship Council chain-of-custody certificate number."

- LEED-CI Version 2.0, page 249

There are currently no audit requirements for this credit.

This credit has not yet been achieved by a project at Harvard.

The Forest Stewardship Council