Using materials recovered from the waste stream typically results in less waste, pollution, and energy use than using virgin materials. From an environmental standpoint, post-consumer is typically considered preferable to pre-consumer recycled content because post-consumer recycled materials are more likely to have been diverted from landfills.
In some cases, we consider products with recycled content green but with some caveats regarding where they should be used. For example, rubber flooring made from recycled automobile tires should not be used in most fully enclosed indoor spaces due to the likelihood of VOC emissions.
Recycling can have downsides. For example, some studies show that curbside collection programs and some recycling processes use more energy than they save. Closed-loop recycling is generally preferable to “down-cycling,” in which a lower-grade material is produced—but due to contamination of waste streams and the difficulty of extracting high-value ingredients, down-cycling may be as good as it gets. At times recycling can re-introduce hazardous components. Some products, like copper and aluminum, include a high level of recycled content as a matter of course—which we applaud, but don’t consider justification for listing in GreenSpec. As more complete life-cycle information on recycled materials and processes becomes available, we use that to increase our scrutiny of recycled products.
Safety Deck II
-
-
Looking beyond the walls of a building, many products can contribute to safer neighborhoods, improved walkability and making high-density communities more appealing. We look for innovative products that support the greening of public spaces, facilitate high-density development, make alternatives to automobile transit more feasible, or otherwise contribute to the quality of outdoor spaces.
Safety Deck II is an outdoor surfacing product made from 100% recycled-tire rubber and recycled PVC. It comes in 1"-thick, 20" x 20" interlocking tiles with holes to allow grass to grow through and to facilitate drainage. Safety Deck II creates durable grassed areas that are especially useful for wheelchair-bound people.
Porous paving seeks to combine the load-carrying capacity we expect of paved areas with the rainwater-infiltration qualities of natural ground cover.
Plastic porous paving systems typically consist of a grid or web of openings that can be planted with grass or filled with gravel to encourage absorption of rainwater and reduce the likelihood of erosion, flooding, and pollution that can be associated with stormwater runoff. All porous paving systems must be installed over a carefully engineered subsurface that acts as a reservoir for stormwater. This allows pollutants to break down slowly beneath the paved area instead of contaminating surface water.
In addition to managing stormwater, porous paving systems planted with grass also minimize contributions to the urban heat-island effect while providing visually appealing outdoor space.
With plastic porous paving systems, look for recycled content—and avoid systems that are difficult to remove later (such as those with free fibers that are mixed with the soil) if needs change.
LEED Credits
MRc4: Recycled Content
Ratings and Commentary
Add Comment
Similar Products
Manufacturer Information
Facebook
Twitter
