5- Site Design- Materials Selection

Question 1

All credits in section 5

Answer 1

Materials P5.1- Eliminate the use of wood from threatened tree species
Materials C5.2- Maintain on-site structures and paving (2-4 points)
Materials C5.3- Design for adaptability and disassembly (3-4 points)
Materials C5.4- Reuse salvaged materials and plants (3-4 points)
Materials C5.5- Use recycled content materials (3-4 points)
Materials C5.6- Use regional materials (3-5 points)
Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials (1-5 points)
Materials C5.8- Support sustainability in materials and manufacturing (1-5 points)
Materials C5.9- Support sustainability in Plant production (1-5 points)
Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production (1-5 points)

Question 2

Materials P5.1- Eliminate the use of wood from threatened tree species

Intent

Answer 2

Minimize negative effects on ecosystems by purchasing wood products extracted only
from non-threatened tree species.

Question 3

Materials P5.1- Eliminate the use of wood from threatened tree species

Requirements

Answer 3

Applies to all new wood products purchased / installed on the project & temporary wood used during construction.

DO NOT use wood species that are:
- Listed by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as
threatened with extinction
-Listed by CITES as requiring trade controls in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival
- On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) “Red List of
Threatened Species” as extinct in the wild (EW), critically endangered
(CR), and endangered (EN)

Threatened tree species are allowed if a recognized third-party sustainable forestry
management certification program has certified the wood product per Materials C5.7: Support responsible extraction of raw materials.

Question 4

Materials P5.1- Eliminate the use of wood from threatened tree species

Submittal docs

Answer 4

• Materials Worksheet listing all purchased wood products, their species names, and
  indicating that the tree species’ classifications are not listed by IUCN or CITES
• For any threatened tree species used, provide documentation to demonstrate a recognized third-party sustainable forestry management certification program has certified the product.

Question 5

Materials C5.2- Maintain on-site structures and paving

Intent

Answer 5

Extend the life-cycle of building and infrastructure stock, conserve resources, and reduce waste by maintaining existing structures and paving in their existing form.

Question 6

Materials C5.2- Maintain on-site structures and paving

Points

Answer 6

2-4 points

Question 7

Materials C5.2- Maintain on-site structures and paving

Requirements

Answer 7

Existing on-site structures and paving that are maintained in situ are eligible for this credit.
Regularly occupied buildings, which are outside of the scope of SITES, should not be
counted for this credit.

Surface area calculations should include any below-grade components such as foundations and footings, when determination of these elements is feasible. Exclude materials hazardous to plants, animals, or humans from total surface area calculations.

Maintain existing structures and paving on site for at least:
- 10% of total existing built surface area (2 points)
- 20% of total existing built surface area (3 points)
- 30% of total existing built surface area (4 points)

• Ensure the section of the site assessment (see Pre-Design P2.2: Conduct a pre-design
  site assessment) is complete and shows all existing on-site structures and paving.
• Ensure the section of the site maintenance plan (see O+M P8.1: Plan for sustainable site
  maintenance) is complete, details the processes used for maintaining structures and
  paving to ensure site safety, and meets the needs of the intended uses of the site.

Question 8

Materials C5.2- Maintain on-site structures and paving

Submittal docs

Answer 8

Site plans showing:
-The locations of all existing structures and paving
-The locations and areas of existing structures and paving designed to remain on
site

Calcs including total surface area of all existing structures (including foundations
and footings, where feasibly determined) and paving on site (excluding hazardous
materials), and the surface area and percentage of these materials that will remain
in situ.

Pre- and post-development photos showing maintained structures & paving.

Question 9

Materials C5.3- Design for adaptability and disassembly

Intent

Answer 9

Minimize materials use and waste flows over the life-cycle of site design projects by
increasing the efficient use of materials at construction, facilitating flexibility and adaptation, and increasing the reuse and recycling of materials resulting from renovation and
demolition.

Question 10

Materials C5.3- Design for adaptability and disassembly

Requirements

Answer 10

Percentages are based on cost or replacement value. In the case of mixed material
assemblies, determine the portion of the total weight that is reusable. Multiply the
portion of total weight by the total cost to determine the proportion of product
assembly that meets the requirements of this credit (Materials Worksheet automatically does this). Plants, rocks, and soils are excluded from this credit.

Use material assemblies, products, or product components that are designed for disassembly and facilitate reuse for at least:
- 30% of total materials cost, excluding plants, rocks, and soils (3 points)
- 60% of total materials cost, excluding plants, rocks, and soils (4 points)

• Ensure the section of the site maintenance plan (see O+M P8.1: Plan for sustainable
  site maintenance) is complete, explains how to replace any deteriorating or damaged
  components, and lists any proper maintenance techniques.

Question 11

Materials C5.3- Design for adaptability and disassembly

Submittal docs

Answer 11

• Materials Worksheet listing the costs of materials assemblies, products, and product
  components used for purposes of verifying this credit. Indicate which items are designed
  for disassembly and reuse and the corresponding percentage of total materials
  cost (excluding plants, rocks, and soils).
• Narrative describing:
  > How each listed material assembly, product, or product component proposed
  for credit was fabricated, designed, or site-constructed for disassembly or
  adaptability, ease of adaptation, and possible reuse in the future
  > Appropriate way to disassemble each material assembly, product, or product
  component so that it can be reused
• Adaptability plan, if applicable, including construction details identifying what each
  component is made of and how it should be assembled or disassembled and listing
  any and all potential reuse applications

Question 12

Materials C5.4- Reuse salvaged materials and plants

Intent

Answer 12

Conserve resources and avoid landfilling useful materials by reusing salvaged materials
and appropriate plants.

Question 13

Materials C5.4- Reuse salvaged materials and plants

Requirements

Answer 13

• Percentages are based on cost or replacement value. Soils and new materials with
  recycled content are excluded from this credit.
• Reuse salvaged materials (including plants) for at least:
  > 10 percent of total materials cost, excluding soils (3 points)
  > 20 percent of total materials cost, excluding soils (4 points)

Question 14

Materials C5.4- Reuse salvaged materials and plants

Submittal Docs

Answer 14

• Materials Worksheet listing all salvaged or reused materials and plants and their costs
  or replacement values. Demonstrate using salvaged materials and plants meets the appropriate percentage of the applicable total materials cost.
• Description of each salvaged material or plant and how it will be reused

Question 15

Materials C5.5- Use recycled content materials

Intent

Answer 15

Reduce the consumption of virgin materials and avoid landfilling useful materials by purchasing products with recycled content.

Question 16

Materials C5.5- Use recycled content materials

Requirements

Answer 16

Percentages are based on cost or replacement value. Determine the recycled content value of a material assembly by weight. The recycled fraction of the assembly is then multiplied by the cost of assembly to determine the recycled content value.

Plants and soils are addressed in other credits and are excluded from this credit. Salvaged or reused materials do not qualify for this credit.

• Use materials with recycled content such that the sum of post-consumer recycled
  content plus one-half of the pre-consumer content constitutes at least:
  > 20 percent of total materials cost, excluding plants and soils (3 points)
  > 40 percent of total materials cost, excluding plants and soils (4 points)

Question 17

Materials C5.5- Use recycled content materials

Submittal docs

Answer 17

• Materials Worksheet listing all purchased materials, their cost or replacement values,
  and any of their post- and pre-consumer recycled content. Demonstrate that using materials with recycled content meets the appropriate percentage of the applicable total
  materials cost.
• Description of each recycled material and the percentage of post-consumer and
  pre-consumer or total recovered materials content

Question 18

Materials C5.6- Use regional materials

Intent

Answer 18

Reduce energy use for transportation; increase demand for regional materials, plants, and
soils; and promote regional identity by supporting the use of local resources.

Question 19

Materials C5.6- Use regional materials

Requirements

Answer 19

• Percent calculations are based on cost or replacement value. If only a fraction of a
  material is extracted, harvested, recovered, and manufactured within the specified distances, then only that percentage (by weight) shall contribute to the regional value.
• Use materials, plants, and soils that are sourced within the distances specified in the
  table below such that they constitute at least:
  > 30 percent of total materials cost (3 points)
  > 60 percent of total materials cost (4 points)
  > 90 percent of total materials cost (5 points)

Soils, Compost, & Mulch: distance - extraction, harvest or recovery, and manufacture must occur within 50 miles

Boulders, Rocks & Aggregate: distance - extraction, harvest or recovery, and manufacture must occur within 50 miles

Plants:
All growing facilities and suppliers for the plant must be within 250 miles

All other materials:
extraction, harvest or recovery, and manufacture must occur within 50 miles

Question 20

Materials C5.6- Use regional materials

Submittal docs

Answer 20

Materials Worksheet listing all materials, plants, and soils and the following information
for each:
-Cost or replacement value
-Name and address of the manufacturer or grower
-Distance between the site and the manufacturer or grower
-Distance between the site and the extraction location for each raw material contained within each product (or grower or harvest location for plants or seeds)
- Percentage of product by weight that meets both the extraction and manufacture
criteria
- Total percentage of regional materials transported to the site

Question 21

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Intent

Answer 21

Protect ecosystems, respect cultural & community values, and improve land use through responsible extraction of raw materials for site design and construction.

Question 22

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Requirements

Option 1: Advocate for sustainable extraction of raw materials

Answer 22

The requirements apply to all materials purchased for the project excluding products
containing recycled content and salvaged, reused, or refurbished materials. Plants are addressed in other credits and are excluded from this credit. If only part of a composite material or assembly meets the requirements, count only that fraction, based on weight.

1 point

Submit a letter to all raw materials suppliers and/or materials manufacturers asking them to track and disclose sustainable extraction practices.

Question 23

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Requirements

Option 2: Support raw material suppliers and/or manufacturers that disclose data on the environmental practices

Answer 23

3 points

Obtain five percent of the total materials costs (excluding recycled content, salvaged,
reused, or refurbished materials) from raw materials suppliers and/or materials
manufacturers that:

• Report annual environmental performance via the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI),
  or equivalent, including the Mining and Metals supplement, if applicable
• Provide a publicly available sustainability statement that discloses efforts to achieve sustainable practices

Question 24

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Requirements

Option 3: Support raw material suppliers and/or manufacturers that meet or exceed standards for raw material extraction

Answer 24

5 points

• Obtain five percent of the total materials costs (excluding recycled content, salvaged,
  reused, or refurbished materials) from raw materials suppliers and/or manufacturers that meet one or more of the following criteria:
  > Have third-party verified corporate sustainability reports (CSRs), including statements of environmental impacts of extraction operations and activities associated with the manufacturer’s product and the product’s supply chain
  > Meet responsible extraction criteria for the raw material sources listed below

Question 25

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Requirements

Responsible extraction criteria

Answer 25

Mined or quarried materials:
-Follow the Framework for Responsible Mining’s recommendations for Leading
Edge Issues
- Publicly declare a commitment to responsible mining

Bio-based materials (excluding hide products):
- Bio-based products must meet the Sustainable Agriculture Network’s Sustainable
Agriculture Standard
- Bio-based raw materials must meet ASTM Test Method D6866 and be harvested
legally, as defined by the exporting and receiving country

New wood products:
-Be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (or local equivalent for projects outside the United States)

Other extracted materials:
- Meet all applicable laws for exporting and receiving countries, including human rights laws
- Make publicly available a third-party verified corporate sustainability report that
includes ALL of the following:
> A commitment to long-term ecologically responsible land use
> A commitment to reducing environmental harms from extraction and any manufacturing processes
> Evidence of economic and social support of adjacent communities
> A voluntary commitment to meeting applicable standards or programs that address responsible sourcing criteria
> Labor practices
> Governance structure

Question 26

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Submittal Docs

Option 1: Advocate for sustainable extraction of raw materials

Answer 26

Materials Worksheet listing all purchased materials, their costs, and the manufacturer or
supplier for each

Copies of the letters sent to all raw materials suppliers and/or materials manufacturers,
noting if any response has been received for each

Question 27

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Submittal Docs

Option 2: Support raw material suppliers and/or manufacturers that disclose data on environmental practices

Answer 27

Materials Worksheet listing all purchased materials, their costs, the manufacturer or supplier for each and demonstrating that five percent of the applicable total materials is from raw materials suppliers and/or manufacturers that disclose data on environmental practices

Documentation from manufacturers and/or suppliers demonstrating disclosure of
environmental practices via GRI sustainability report, or equivalent, including the Mining and Metals supplement, if applicable

Documentation showing that manufacturers have a publicly available sustainability
statement

Question 28

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Submittal Docs

Option 3: Support raw material suppliers and/or manufacturers that meet or exceed standards for raw material extraction

Answer 28

Materials Worksheet listing all purchased materials, their costs, the manufacturer or supplier for each and demonstrating that five percent of the applicable total materials cost meets the responsible extraction criteria listed below

Third-party verified corporate sustainability reports (CSR) must follow one of the following
acceptable frameworks:
> Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability report
> Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
> U.N. Global Compact: Communication of Progress
> ISO 26000: 2010 Guidance on Social Responsibility
> Other programs meeting CSR criteria that become available (will be evaluated and added by SITES as deemed appropriate)

Applicable documentation for each of the responsible extraction criteria, as listed on the
next page:

Question 29

Materials C5.7- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Submittal Docs

Responsible extraction criteria

Answer 29

Mined or quarried materials:
- Letter signed by the owner of each manufacturer and its raw materials suppliers, stating that they have reviewed and understood the Framework for Responsible Mining
- Checklist for each manufacturer listing all of the Framework for Responsible Mining’s Leading Edge Issues, and identifying which Leading Edge measures they are currently implementing
- A copy of the public declaration from each manufacturer committing to responsible
mining practices

Bio-based materials (excluding hide products):
- For bio-based products:
> Documentation of compliance with the Sustainable Agriculture Network’s Sustainable Agriculture Standard, including any audit reports
- For bio-based raw materials:
> Documentation from each manufacturer demonstrating that it meets ASTM Test Method D6866
> Letter signed by the owner of each manufacturer and its raw materials suppliers, addressing all laws governing harvest procedures, as defined by the exporting and receiving country

New wood products:
- Receipts of vendor invoices documenting which wood products meet certification
requirements
- Chain-of-custody documentation demonstrating certification by the Forest Stewardship Council or SITES-approved equivalent

Other extracted materials:
- Letter signed by the owner of each manufacturer and its raw materials suppliers, addressing all laws governing extraction and manufacturing procedures as defined by the exporting and receiving country, including human rights laws
-Publicly available third-party verified corporate sustainability report including ALL
of the following information:
> A commitment to long-term ecologically responsible land use
> A commitment to reducing environmental harms from extraction and/or
manufacturing processes
> Evidence of their economic and social support of adjacent communities
> A commitment to meeting applicable standards or programs voluntarily that
address responsible sourcing criteria
> Labor practices
> Governance structure

Question 30

Materials C5.8- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Intent

Answer 30

Decrease harmful health and environmental impacts and encourage the use of safer
alternatives by promoting the use of materials with available chemical inventories, lifecycle information, and hazard assessments.

Question 31

Materials C5.8- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Requirements (credit applies to all this)

Answer 31

This credit applies to all of the following product categories and must meet at least one of
the four options listed below:
- Decking, railing, fencing, trellises, or lattices (wood and non-wood)
- Pipes, hoses, and irrigation components
- Conduit, wiring, and electrical equipment
- Lighting
- Membranes, liners, and geotextiles
- Fabrics and canvas
- Extruded, spray, or board foams
- Paints and coatings
- Adhesives, sealants, elastomers (e.g., flexible plastics), water proofing, weather stripping,
expansion joint filling, and flashing
- Synthetic surfacing materials and associated products (e.g., crumb rubber, artificial turf)
This credit excludes products that are salvaged or reused or refurbished.

Question 32

Materials C5.8- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Requirements

Option 1: Advocate for transparency and safer chemistry

Answer 32

1 point

Submit a letter to all manufacturers for all materials specified in the product categories asking them to develop & disclose chemical inventories or conduct chemical hazard assessments according to the criteria outlined in Options 2 or 3.

Question 33

Materials C5.8- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Requirements

Option 2: Support manufacturers that disclose material chemistry and
hazards

Answer 33

3 points

Specify products for at least five percent of the total material costs (excluding products that are salvaged, reused, or refurbished) for all materials included in the
product categories, from manufacturers who:
- Develop chemical inventories covering all chemicals, whether used intentionally or
otherwise known to be present, in all life cycle stages of the product
- In cases where the compilation of a complete chemical inventory is not feasible, the inventory requirements should cover chemicals and their life cycle stages thought to present the greatest hazards to workers, consumers, the general
population, and environmental species
- Report all known hazards and their concentrations regardless of whether the chemical’s presence in the product or process is intentional. This reporting
includes the identification of any impurities, byproducts, and emissions from finished products or product curing steps.

Question 34

Materials C5.8- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Requirements

Option 3: Support manufacturers that have completed chemical
hazard assessments

Answer 34

5 points

Specify products for at least five percent of the total material costs (excluding products that are salvaged, reused, or refurbished) for all materials included in the
product categories, from manufacturers who conduct chemical assessments using
one of the following screening-level hazard assessment tools (see Resources section):
- BizNGO’s Chemical Alternatives Assessment Protocol
- GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals
- U.S. EPA’s DfE Alternatives Assessment Criteria for Hazard Evaluation
- U.S. EPA’s Sustainable Futures tool suite (to be used only when measured data is
not available)
- An equivalent robust hazard assessment strategy using recognized and reliable
data sources.

Question 35

Materials C5.8- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Submittal docs

Option 1: Advocate for transparency and safer chemistry

Answer 35

• Materials Worksheet listing all purchased materials included in the listed product categories and the manufacturer for each
• Copies of the letters sent to all manufacturers for the materials in the listed product categories, noting any response received for each

Question 36

Materials C5.8- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Submittal docs

Option 2: Support manufacturers that disclose material chemistry and
hazards

Answer 36

• Materials Worksheet listing all purchased materials included in the listed product categories, their costs, the manufacturer for each, and demonstrating that five percent of the applicable total materials costs are from manufacturers that disclose material chemistry and hazards
• Documentation from materials manufacturers demonstrating disclosure of material
  chemistry, including GHS-compliant (see Resources section), or otherwise complete
  Safety Data Sheets, and chemical safety reports (as outlined in the Documentation Guidance section). Include any additional information received from manufacturers.

Question 37

Materials C5.8- Support responsible extraction of raw materials

Submittal docs

Option 3: Support manufacturers that have completed chemical
hazard assessments

Answer 37

• Materials Worksheet listing all purchased materials included in the listed product categories, their costs, the manufacturer for each, and demonstrating that five percent of the applicable total materials costs are from manufacturers that have completed chemical hazard assessments
• Documentation from materials manufacturers demonstrating disclosure of material
  chemistry, including GHS-compliant (see Resources section), or otherwise complete
  safety data sheets, and chemical safety reports (as outlined in the Documentation Guidance section). Include any additional information received from manufacturers.
• Documentation from one of the following screening level hazard assessment tools (see Resources section):
  > BizNGO’s Chemical Alternatives Assessment Protocol
  > GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals
  > U.S. EPA’s DfE Alternatives Assessment Criteria for Hazard Evaluation
  > U.S. EPA’s Sustainable Futures tool suite (to be used only when measured data is
  not available)
  > An equivalent robust hazard assessment strategy using recognized and reliable
  data sources

Question 38

Materials C5.9- Support sustainability in materials manufacturing

Intent

Answer 38

Support sustainability in materials manufacturing by specifying and using materials from manufacturers whose practices increase energy efficiency, reduce resource consumption and waste, and minimize negative effects on human health and the environment.

Question 39

Materials C5.9- Support sustainability in materials manufacturing

Requirements - general

Answer 39

The requirements apply to manufacturers of new products purchased for use on site. Rocks, plants, soils, salvaged or reused, or refurbished materials are covered in other credits and are excluded from the calculations for this credit.

Question 40

Materials C5.9- Support sustainability in materials manufacturing

Requirements

Option 1: Advocate for sustainable materials manufacturing

Answer 40

Submit a letter to all materials manufacturers asking them to perform, track, and disclose
sustainable practices.

Question 41

Materials C5.9- Support sustainability in materials manufacturing

Requirements

Option 2: Support manufacturers that disclose data on sustainable practices

Answer 41

Obtain 25% of the total applicable materials cost from businesses that complete one of the following actions:
- Report annual environmental performance via the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or
equivalent
- Conduct and publish a peer-reviewed full life-cycle assessment (LCA) or an
environmental product declaration (EPD) for the product
- Set and publicly announce specific goals to reduce, by at least 25 percent (per unit
product or equivalent basis) over a five-year period, the company’s performance metrics in the following areas:
> Use of energy, water, and toxics
> Releases of key pollutants to air and water
> Disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes

Question 42

Materials C5.9- Support sustainability in materials manufacturing

Requirements

Option 3: Support manufacturers that achieve significant improvements in sustainable practices

Answer 42

Obtain 25 percent of the total applicable materials cost from businesses that employ and
document at least three of the five achievements below. Percentages are based on cost.
If multiple manufacturers are involved in the development of a product, the requirements
apply to the manufacturer responsible for producing or assembling the final product.

Question 43

Materials C5.9- Support sustainability in materials manufacturing

Requirements

Sustainable manufacturing achievements

Answer 43

1. Reduce emissions:
   In at least two of the following three categories, document at least 50% reduction (normalized, per unit product or equivalent basis) in the company’s direct environmental impacts over the most recent 10-year period where data are available.
   - Emission of hazardous air pollutants (per U.S. Clean Air Act or local equivalent
   for projects outside the United States)
   - Emission of toxic water pollutants (per U.S. Clean Water Act or local equivalent
   for projects outside the United States)
   - Generation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste (per U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act or local equivalent for projects outside the
   United States).
2. Reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions:
   - The product manufacturer demonstrates that the three lowest years for carbon
   emissions (or global warming potential equivalent, per unit of product) in the previous 10 years are at least 25% better than its corresponding 10-year
   average (per unit of product) OR the product manufacturer purchases carbon offsets from a legally binding trading system that provides independent third-party verification for 25% of its carbon emissions (or global warming potential equivalent).
3. Reduce energy consumption:
   - Demonstrate that the manufacturing process per unit of product consumes 25
   percent less energy than the industry average. Consult the National Institute of
   Standards and Technology Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability
   (BEES), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) U.S. Life-Cycle Inventory
   Database, or Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey for industry specific
   data (see Resources section).
4. Use renewable energy sources:
   - Use on-site renewable energy sources to meet 10 percent of electricity demands OR engage in at least a four-year contract for the purchase of 20 percent of
   electricity from renewable sources for the facility at which the product is made.
5. Reduce use of potable water:
   - Use potable or other natural surface or subsurface water resources for less than
   25 percent of total water consumption during manufacturing for the product
   line specified (i.e., non-potable sources are used to meet 75 percent of water
   consumption).

Question 44

Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production

Intent

Answer 44

Support sustainable practices in plant production by purchasing plants, sod, and seed from providers whose practices increase energy efficiency, reduce resource consumption
and waste, and minimize negative effects on human health and the environment.

Question 45

Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production

Requirements- general

Answer 45

The requirements apply to the businesses from which plants, sod, and seed are purchased
for the site. If multiple businesses are involved in plant production, the requirements apply to the business that grows the plant material until it is ready for sale (finishes the plant
material). Percentages are based on cost.

Question 46

Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production

Requirements

Option 1: Advocate for sustainable plant production

Answer 46

1 point.

Submit a letter to all businesses from which plants, sod, and seed are purchased asking
them to perform, track, and disclose sustainable practices in plant production.

Question 47

Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production

Requirements

Option 2: Support producers that disclose data on sustainable practices

Answer 47

3 points.

Obtain 80% of purchased plants, sod, and seed from businesses that have a
publicly available sustainability statement that discloses efforts to achieve at least six of
the 10 practices listed below.

Question 48

Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production

Requirements

Option 3: Support producers that achieve significant improvements in sustainable practices

Answer 48

5 points

Obtain 80 percent of purchased plants, sod, and seed from businesses that achieve at least six of the 10 sustainable practices listed below.

Question 49

Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production

Submittal docs

Option 1: Advocate for sustainable plant production

Answer 49

• Materials Worksheet listing all plants, sod, or seed purchased, their costs, and the plant provider for each
• Copies of the letters sent to all plant providers, noting if any response is received for each

Question 50

Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production

Submittal docs

Option 2: Support producers that disclose data on sustainable practices

Answer 50

• Materials Worksheet listing all plants, sod, or seed, their costs, the supplier and/or grower for each, and demonstrating that 80 percent of purchased plant materials are
  from producers that disclose data on sustainable practices
• Documentation from plant providers demonstrating disclosure of six of the 10 sustainable production practices listed below, including publicly available sustainability
  statements and any other information received

Question 51

Materials C5.10- Support sustainability in plant production

Submittal docs

Option 3: Support producers that achieve significant improvements in sustainable practices

Answer 51

Materials Worksheet listing all plants, sod, or seed purchased, their costs, the supplier and/or grower for each, and demonstrating that 80 percent of purchased plant materials are from producers that employ at least six of the 10 sustainable practices

Documentation from providers demonstrating that sustainable practices are employed:
1. Reduce use of potable water or other natural surface or subsurface water resources:
–Calculations from the plant provider showing the total water volume consumed for
irrigation and the total volume of non-potable sources, including a brief description from the plant provider regarding the availability and sources of non-potable water
used for irrigation
2. Reduce runoff from irrigation:
–Letter from the plant provider describing the methods by which all runoff from irrigation is captured and reused
3. Use sustainable soil amendments:
–Letter from the plant provider describing planting media and verifying that all planting media is peat-free
4. Recycle organic matter:
–Letter from the plant provider describing the process for composting or recycling vegetation trimmings, including a description of the end use of compost produced
5. Reduce waste:
–A copy of the plant provider’s waste audit and list of ongoing consumables,
including a description of the process for reusing, recycling, or composting at least 50 percent of the weight or volume of on-going consumables
6. Use integrated pest management:
–Letter from the plant provider including the name of the employed certified IPM practitioner or a copy of the IPM certification
7. Prevent use and distribution of invasive species:
–Letter from the plant provider describing the invasive species management plan and policy regarding distribution of invasive plants.
8. Reduce energy consumption:
–Calculations from the plant provider based on utility bills and showing the
average energy consumption over the previous 10 years and the average energy consumption over the three most recent years
9. Use renewable energy sources:
–Letter from the plant provider describing renewable energy sources and the percent of annual energy use generated or purchased from each renewable source, including contracts with utility company if applicable
10. Provide safe and fair working conditions:
–A copy of the employment policy that addresses employee communication and workplace safety