USGBC Updated LEED-Green-Associate Exam Questions and Answers by evangeline

Utilizing recycled materials achieves the green building objective of minimizing the need for landfills. Recycled materials are materials that have been recovered or diverted from the waste stream and processed into new products or materials. Utilizing recycled materials can reducethe amount of waste that is sent to landfills or incinerators, which can have negative impacts on the environment, such as occupying valuable land, contaminating soil and water, and emitting harmful gases. Utilizing recycled materials can also save natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and lower disposal costs12. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA’s Recycling Basics2

The LEED rating system is designed to address the most important environmental impacts and human benefits of green building. The impact categories are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s TRACI method (Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts), which evaluates the potential environmental effects of a product or process over its life cycle. The impact categories are: reverse contribution to global climate change; enhance individual human health and well-being; protect and restore water resources; protect, enhance and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services; promote sustainable and regenerative material cycles; build a greener economy; enhance social equity, environmental justice, community health and quality of life. Among these categories, reducing contribution to climate change and enhancing human health and well-being have been identified as the most important ones for a LEED project to accomplish. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide

Low cubicle partitions enhance the spread of daylight deeper into office spaces, improving natural lighting and reducing dependence on artificial lighting. This supports LEED credits under Indoor Environmental Quality, which aim to optimize daylight for better occupant health, productivity, and energy savings​​.

The owner is one of the team members who should participate in the initial evaluation to determine which level of LEED certification to target. The owner is the person or entity who has the authority and responsibility to make decisions about the project’s goals, budget, schedule, and design. The owner’s involvement is crucial for setting the vision and expectations for the project’s sustainability performance and selecting the appropriate LEED rating system and certification level. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the steps in the integrative process is to “engage in a preliminary LEED assessment with key project team members, including owner” [1, p. 12]. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Integrative Process | U.S. Green Building Council]