Generally, concrete and cementitious building components have low waste content as concrete is ordered and mixed for each job, thus minimizing waste. Any leftover or waste concretes or concrete masonry unit materials may be recycled by crushing and then reused onsite for roadbase, trench or structural fill or crushed and reused as concrete aggregate for new concrete.

Recycled Content (MR Credit 4.1 and Credit 4.2; 1-2 points) 10 percent or 20 percent based on cost (post-consumer + 1/2 pre-consumer).
Intent: Increase demand for building products that incorporate recycled content materials.

Pre-consumer recycled content is based on waste from industrial and manufacturing processes and does not include scrap or trimmings.

Post-consumer material is defined as waste material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product, which can no longer be used for its intended purpose.

The use of SCMs as a replacement for portland cement in concrete mixtures, concrete masonry units, and other cementitious-based building materials provides easy inclusion of pre-consumer recycled material content into sustainable building projects. SCMs, such as fly ash, slag cement and silica fume are recycled materials. They may replace portland cement in cementitious-based building materials and reduce CO² production and energy requirements needed in the manufacture of cement. Fly ash is commonly used at replacement levels up to 40 percent; slag cement up to 70 percent; and other byproduct materials such as foundry sand, fiberglass, polystyrene, bottom ash and slag aggregate may also be used at various levels.

Post-consumer material includes recycled concrete aggregates produced by crushing concrete, glass, carpet, and returned crushed concrete. Concrete made with pre-consumer and post-consumer materials should undergo testing to confirm performance, durable properties and compliance to local building codes.

Concrete and cementitious containing building materials containing multiple pre-consumer and post-consumer materials will contribute more in this category because the credit is based on cost of replaced mass of virgin materials with recycled content.

Regional Materials (MR Credit 5.1 and 5.2; 1 to 2 points)
Intent: Increase demand for building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within the region.

LEED credits require that 10 or 20 percent of building materials or products, based on cost, is extracted or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project site.

Concrete, concrete masonry and other cementitious-based building materials are generally produced nearby as their primary constituents, i.e. aggregates, tend to come from local sources. Most concrete, concrete masonry units, and cementitious-based building materials are manufactured locally.

Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ)

Most concrete and cementitious-based building materials require no coatings or finishes in interior applications, and can be used as a structure/finish combination. Such materials include concrete masonry, glazed masonry, decorative concrete floors, stucco, cementitious siding and cement wallboard.

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) conditions in buildings, including dampness and mold, particulates, and chemicals, are associated with a host of health problems. Exposure to health risks can be lowered through the use of concrete as a finish material. Construction IAQ Management Plan, During Construction (EQ Credit 3.1; 1 point)
Intent:Reduce indoor air quality problems resulting from the construction/renovation process in order to help sustain the comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants.

Applications using precast concrete help meet these requirements as concrete assemblages are delivered to the site in pieces that do not require fabrication, processing or cutting, thereby reducing dust and airborne contaminants on the construction site

Low-Emitting Materials: Adhesives & Sealants  (EQ Credits 4.1; 1 point); Paints & Coatings (EQ 4.2; 1 point)
Intent: Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants.