LEED Green Associate Practice Test

What are two main material conservation strategies to meet MR credit requirements?

1. Renovating existing buildings and using recycled materials

2. Reusing buildings and conducting whole-building LCAs

3. Purchasing locally sourced materials and reducing waste

4. Designing innovative new materials and structures

The correct answer is: Reusing buildings and conducting whole-building LCAs

The primary focus of MR (Materials and Resources) credits in LEED is on sustainable resource management, including strategies for material conservation. Reusing buildings and conducting whole-building Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are effective methods to promote material conservation. Reusing buildings minimizes the need for new materials, which can reduce resource extraction and environmental impact associated with manufacturing. Whole-building LCAs help to evaluate the environmental impact of materials throughout their life cycle, allowing project teams to make informed decisions that favor resource efficiency. While renovating existing buildings and using recycled materials is a strong approach, the emphasis on reuse combined with the analytical depth of LCAs more directly addresses the requirements of MR credits in terms of both conservation and impact evaluation. This highlights the importance of not just reuse but also ensuring that the materials chosen throughout the building's life interact positively with sustainability goals.