The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the USGBC's benchmark for designing, building and operating green buildings. To become certified, projects must first meet the prerequisites designated by the USGBC then earn a certain number of credits within the six categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials & resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation & design process. Using reclaimed/recovered wood can earn credits towards achieving LEED project certification. Because reclaimed/recovered wood is considered recycled content, it meets the Materials & Resources criteria for LEED certification and because some reclaimed/recovered lumber products are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, they can qualify for LEED credits under the “certified wood” category.

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