What is recycled content and how is it applied in MR?

• A. The proportion of recycled material in products; credits awarded for using products with recycled content.
• B. The environmental impact rating of products.
• C. The color and texture of recycled materials.
• D. The cost of recycled materials.

Answer: (A)

Recycled content is the portion of a product that comes from recycled materials rather than virgin inputs. In LEED’s Materials and Resources credits, projects earn points by choosing products with recycled content, which reduces the need for new raw materials and supports recycling markets. Recycled content is documented by the manufacturer and typically reflects post-consumer material (items discarded by consumers that are recycled) and/or pre-consumer material (manufacturing scrap that is recycled). By selecting products with higher recycled content, a project earns credit under MR for contributing to waste diversion and resource conservation.