Measurement Guidance
To measure the impacts of submissions, entrants are asked to:
Estimate building square footage (required for the building category only) Estimate construction and demolition debris reduced/building materials conserved by type (required for the building category only)
Entrants may also include additional project measurement information:
Greenhouse gases reduced Measurement tool used (if applicable) Other website tools used (if available)
Entry Metrics
The quality of the measurement explanation, creativeness of ideas, and correct project sizing is more important than the absolute quantities of the tons of building materials or greenhouse gas emission reductions estimated. Judges will evaluate all ideas based on their creativity, quality, and innovation. The competition organizers recognize that in many cases, larger numbers do not signify the most environmentally-sound option.
To estimate the measurable impact of your entry, please estimate the potential building material use reductions of your entry when compared to standard building practices for a similar type of project.
Measurement Tools
Quantifying the impacts of Lifecycle Building principles is a critical, yet complicated endeavor. The project organizers and judges recognize that the tools currently available in this field are under development, and measurement is only one factor being considered by the judges.
Weights of Building Materials - Compiled by Pennsylvania State University
http://www.age.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/h/H20.pdf
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/sqg/c&d-rpt.pdf
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WAste Reduction Model (WARM) (converts building materials reduction and reuse to GHG emissions. Note: Steel cans and aluminum cans categories can be used to calculate building materials of steel and aluminum
http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/calculators/Warm_home.html
National Institute for Science and Technology, Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES)
http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/
Athena Institute Eco Calculator (Winner of 2007 LBC Award)
http://www.athenasmi.ca/tools/ecoCalculator/index.html
NY WasteWatch Building Materials Reuse Calculator
http://www.wastematch.org/calculator/calculator.htm
Typical Construction Waste
Here are typical amounts of construction waste by product type that you can use in your calculations:
New Residential Construction (single family)
Median waste generated is 8.5 lbs per square foot, ranging from 3 to 15 lbs per square foot.New Commercial Construction
Median waste generated is 4.7 lbs per square foot, ranging from 2 to 6 lbs per square foot.Commercial Renovation
Median waste generated is 4.6 lbs per square foot, ranging from 2 to 6 lbs per square foot.
