LEED Green Associate Practice Test

Source reduction primarily aims to enhance which of the following?

1. Product durability

2. Waste generation

3. Environmental sustainability and health

4. Consumer demand for products

The correct answer is: Environmental sustainability and health

Source reduction primarily aims to enhance environmental sustainability and health. This approach focuses on minimizing waste generation at its source, leading to lower environmental impact and healthier ecosystems. By reducing the amount of waste produced, there are fewer materials that require disposal, which can result in less pollution, decreased energy usage in manufacturing, and overall improved resource efficiency. While product durability is important, it is more about extending the lifespan of products than directly addressing waste generation or fostering sustainability. Similarly, although consumer demand for products plays a role in the market, it does not capture the core objective of source reduction, which is to prevent waste before it is created. Waste generation itself is the issue that source reduction seeks to mitigate rather than enhance, making options like environmental sustainability and health the most aligned with the principles of source reduction.