Documentation for LEED - Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design  (Points) What is LEED? LEED Green Building Rating System was developed by the US Green Building Council. LEED provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. This framework helps define "Green Building" by establishing a common standard of measurement. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. No building products can be LEED-certified but rather the products contribute points towards the LEED rating of a commercial or residential building or interior. To support architects, builders, building owners and designers in their efforts to achieve LEED certification, we've highlighted the LEED Credits that apply for Globus Cork Inc. products. Why does Green Building Matter? The statistics from USGBC are very telling and in brief, here they are. For more research, review the USGBC website (www.usgbc.org). In the US, buildings account for: 36% of total energy use / 65% of electricity consumption 30% of greenhouse gas emissions 30% of raw materials use 30% of waste output / 136 million tons annually 12% of potable water consumption How does Green Building Help? Environmental Benefits Economic Benefits Health & Community Benefits Enhance & protect ecosystems and biodiversity Improve air and water quality Reduce solid waste Conserve natural resources Reduce operating costs Enhance asset value and profits Improve employee productivity & satisfaction Optimize life-cycle economic performance Improve air, thermal and acoustic environments Enhance occupant comfort and health Minimize strain on local infrastructure Contribute to overall quality of life How does Globus Cork Flooring Contribute to Green Building? Globus Cork glue-down cork tiles are the most environmentally-friendly product in the cork flooring line. To make any cork product the cork oak tree is never cut down. Rather the bark of the cork oak tree is harvested from the tree every 9 years, leaving the forest undamaged. The tree rapidly regrows new bark and is not harmed by the bark removal. Globus Cork flooring products are made from the waste pieces of the wine cork stopper manufacturing process. All additives used to make the glue-down tiles are water-based which produce no off-gassing and contain no VOCs. This includes the adhesive, stains and finishes. LEED Credits Summary This credit summary is for Globus Cork Glue-Down Tiles and pertains to LEED for New Construction, Commercial Interiors, Homes and Schools. Material & Resources MR Credit 4.1 and 4.2 Recycled Content of 10% & 20% pre/post consumer Intent: Increase the demand for building products that incorporate recycled content materials, reducing the impacts resulting from extraction and processing of virgin materials. Globus Cork: 95% of the cork material is recycled post industrial waste and meets both credit requirements. MR Credit 5.1 Regional Materials 10% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Intent: Increase demand for building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within the region, supporting the use of local resources and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from transportation. Globus Cork: More than 10% of the finished product is extracted, processed and manufactured within the 500 mile limit and meets this credit requirement. Our regional area extends from Toronto to Raleigh NC to mid Ohio. MR Credit 6 Renewable Materials Intent: Reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle renewable materials by replacing them with rapidly renewable materials. Globus Cork: Cork trees are never cut down. The cork bark is trimmed every 9 years and then it grows back. Cork meets this credit requirement. Indoor Environmental Quality EQ Credit 4.1 Low-Emitting Material Adhesives Intent: Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants. Globus Cork: Our adhesive has no VOCs and thus qualifies for this credit. EQ Credit 4.2 Low-Emitting Material Coatings Intent: Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants. Globus Cork: Our finishes have a very low level of VOC which fall well below the qualifying limits for this credit. Globus Cork tiles qualify for this credit. Contact us for more information regarding products, designs, sales, distribution and installation. Globus Cork Phone: (718) 742-7264 Fax: (718) 742-7265 Email: info@corkfloor.com