Pre-consumer (also called “post-industrial”) recycling refers to the reuse of industrial by-products, as distinguished from material that has been in consumer use. The iron-ore slag used to make mineral wool insulation and the fly ash used to make concrete are examples of post-industrial recycled materials. While post-consumer recycled content is preferable, a product that uses pre-consumer content or recycles a seldom-used waste product, especially in an area where recycled products are hard to find, can be considered green.
Excluded from this category, by FTC definitions, is the use of scrap within the same manufacturing process from which it was generated—material that would typically have gone back into the manufacturing process anyway.
Enkadrain Subsurface Drainage Composite
Enkadrain Subsurface Drainage Composite relieves hydrostatic pressure from backfill abutting below-grade structures including foundations and slabs, plaza decks, and retaining walls.
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Included here are various erosion-control products, foundation products that eliminate the need for excavation, and exterior stains that result in lower VOC emissions into the atmosphere. Fluorescent lamp and ballast recyclers and low-mercury fluorescent lamps reduce environmental impacts during maintenance and disposal of luminaires.
Enkadrain Subsurface Drainage Composite relieves hydrostatic pressure from backfill abutting below-grade structures including foundations and slabs, plaza decks, and retaining walls. It can also be used as a drainage plane for green roofs and roof gardens. It protects waterproofing during and after backfill, and will conform to irregular surfaces and corners. It consists of a minimum 40% pre-consumer recycled polypropylene drainage core of fused, entangled filaments and a geocomposite fabric bonded to one or two sides. The entangled filaments are molded into a square waffle pattern.
33 46 00: Foundation and Slab Drainage
Foundation and slab drainage that improves drainage around foundations and slabs increases the durability of buildings by enabling water to drain from around the structure.
Installing foundation and slab drainage is relatively inexpensive to do during construction and impossible or at least expensive to do as a retrofit. It’s also usually required by codes. Proper drainage design is site-specific, taking into account the location of the water table, soil type, grades around the building, and other factors, and requires careful attention. One feature that is often not included, but that GreenSpec recommends, is an at-grade cleanout.
While many conventional drainage products can get the job done, GreenSpec lists drainage products offering reduced environmental impact, recycled content, or other unique performance properties.
07 55 63: Green Roof Systems
Green roof systems, used primarily for low-slope roofs, can protect the roof membrane, help green the built environment through rooftop plantings, and reduce stormwater runoff. By detaining over 50% of rainwater from a typical storm, green roofs help reduce the loads placed on storm sewers, making them a particularly attractive system in urban areas that have combined sewer overflow (CSO) events during heavy rains.
Extensive green roofs are low profile and relatively lightweight, using planting media that is less than six inches deep. They are not meant for foot traffic and require drought-tolerant plants and grasses.
Intensive systems are larger systems used in commercial applications that can be sized to incorporate plants ranging from grasses to trees. These systems can incorporate walkways and may use more than seven layers of material—including growing medium, filtration, geotextile barriers, and waterproofing—to provide proper drainage and roof protection from moisture and roots. Many green roofs are custom designed and can be a combination of intensive and extensive systems.
A green roof can be a wonderful architectural element that helps to reduce building heat gain and the urban heat island effect while absorbing carbon dioxide, but it needs to be installed properly to avoid roof leaks, moisture damage, and expensive callbacks. Select experienced contractors who will guarantee their work.
LEED Credits
MRc4: Recycled Content
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Manufacturer Information
Colbond Inc.
1301 Sand Hill Rd.
P.O. Box 1057
Enka, NC
Toll-Free: 800-365-7391
www.colbond-usa.com
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