Cradle to Cradle certification, a strict assessment of the environmental qualities of materials used in green buildings, is a controversial provision in LEED V4. Those seeking LEED certification will get credits for Materials & Resources for disclosing and optimizing where building materials are sourced and purchased. The essence of Cradle to Cradle is the importance of a closed loop, that only materials and processes that can be reused endlessly should be included in product design. Buildings that have at least 20 Cradle to Cradle Certified products can earn points, or a project must use at least 25%, by cost, of the total value of permanently installed building products. Twenty-seven trade groups representing building materials industry companies oppose this provision, and are pushing Green Globes as a LEED alternative.
(http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2013/07/17/leed-cradle-cradle-certification-green-building)
Related Stories
| Sep 23, 2011
Okanagan College sets sights on Living Buildings Challenge
The Living Building Challenge requires projects to meet a stringent list of qualifications, including net-zero energy and water consumption, and address critical environmental, social and economic factors.
| Sep 23, 2011
Under 40 Leadership Summit
Building Design+Construction’s Under 40 Leadership Summit takes place October 26-28, 2011 Hotel at the Monteleone in New Orleans. Discounted hotel rate deadline: October 2, 2011.
| Sep 19, 2011
Portland team hired as LEED and commissioning consultants for $5.5B downtown sustainable project in Qatar
The $5.5 billion sustainable downtown regeneration project underway by Msheireb Properties will transform a 76 acres site at the centre of Doha, Qatar’s capital city, recreating a way of living that is rooted in Qatari culture, attracting residents back to the city center and reversing the trend for decentralization.
| Sep 14, 2011
Empire State Building achieves LEED Gold ?
The 2.85 million-sf building is celebrating its 80th anniversary while nearing completion of its renewal and repurposing to meet the needs of 21st Century businesses.
| Sep 12, 2011
Construction waste management
Best practices for an environmentally optimized job site.
| Sep 12, 2011
Scan, Deconstruct, Rebuild
How laser scanning helped improve construction schedules, plans, and final designs for a major reconstruction project.
| Sep 12, 2011
PVs play new roles as a teaching tool
Solar installations are helping K-12 schools around the country save money and teach students the intricacies of renewable energy sources.
| Sep 12, 2011
Living Buildings: Are AEC Firms up to the Challenge?
Modular Architecture > You’ve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.
| Sep 12, 2011
Putting a stamp on USPS's first green roof
The Morgan Building roof totals 150,000-sf. In addition to a vegetated green roof, other roof areas were upgraded and included 55,000-sf of reflective concrete pavers and ballast, which were also placed over a Sarnafil waterproofing membrane, and 40,000-sf of EnergySmart Roof—a reflective, energy-efficient vinyl roofing system from Sika Sarnafil.
