More About LEED

Developed and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED promotes a whole building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environment quality. LEED is a framework for building owners and operators to identify and implement practical and quantifiable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

 

Categories Measured by LEED:

• Sustainable Sites - Choosing and managing a building site during construction
• Water Efficiency - Encouraging smarter use of water, inside and out of a building
• Energy & Atmosphere - Promoting a variety of strategies to reduce the amount of energy used in buildings
• Materials & Resources - Selecting products and materials that are sustainably produced and transported
• Indoor Environmental Quality - Promoting strategies to improve the air indoors while encouraging natural daylight and improved acoustics
• Innovation in Design - Promoting the use of new and innovative technologies and strategies to increase a building’s performance

 

Professionals Using LEED:

• Architects
• Interior Designers
• Facility Managers
• Engineers
• Construction Managers
• Government Officials

 

About the USGBC:

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Over 100,000 people have achieved the LEED Accredited Professional designation and are specialized in their knowledge of LEED. The USGBC boasts over 20,000 member companies and organizations and 78 local chapters throughout the U.S. The USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

LEED Calculator

Our online LEED calculation tools utilize the ecoScorecard^sm engine to provide you with accurate information regarding the environmental attributes of Philly Queen Commercial products, as well as their contribution to the LEED Rating System.

 

Benefits include:

• Ability to print or download LEED Specification Sheet and analysis information for all products that contribute to the rating system
• Accurate and straight-forward on product attributes to LEED contribution
• Automated assistance with LEED documentation
• Reduced time and dollars associated with LEED research and documentation

LEED for New Construction

LEED for New Construction guides and distinguishes high-performance commercial and institutional projects. These facilities include office buildings, high-rise residential buildings, government buildings, recreational facilities, manufacturing plants and laboratories. The product design, recycled content and recyclability of our carpet provide contribution to LEED NC in the following areas:

 

Materials and Resources

 

MR Credit 1.1: Building Reuse
Maintain at least 55% (1 point), 75% (2 points) or 95% (3 points) of the existing building structure (including structural floor and roof decking) and envelope (the exterior skin and framing, excluding window assemblies and non-structural roofing material). Carpet can be removed and reused for a minimal contribution.

MR Credit 2: Construction Waste Management
Recycle and/or salvage nonhazardous construction and demolition debris. Develop and implement a construction waste management plan that, at a minimum, identifies the materials to be diverted from disposal and whether the materials will be sorted on-site or comingled. The minimum percentage debris to be recycled or salvaged is 50% (1 point) or 75% (2 points). Shaw’s Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility recycles 100 million pounds of nylon 6 carpet each year into caprolactam, the building block for new nylon. Carpet becomes carpet again and is not sent to a landfill, eliminating costly tipping fees.

MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
Use materials, including furniture and furnishings, with recycled content1 such that the sum of post consumer recycled content plus 1/2 of the preconsumer3 content constitutes at least 10% (1 point) or 20% (2 points) based on cost of the total value of the materials in the project.
All Philly Queen Commercial carpet made with Eco Solution Q, our cradle-to-cradle nylon, has a minimum of 25% recycled content and can be recycled into more Eco Solution Q at the end of its useful life. EcoWorx tile backing has 40% recycled content and is completely recyclable. EcoWorx Broadloom and Performance Broadloom backings contain 20% post consumer recycled content.

MR Credit 5: Regional Materials
Use building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project site for a minimum of 10% (1 point) or 20% (2 points), based on cost, of the total materials value. If only a fraction of a product or material is extracted, harvested, or recovered and manufactured locally, then only that percentage (by weight) can contribute to the regional value.
No raw material or oil based products qualify for Regional Material credit. Philly Queen Commercial uses locally harvested materials, such as necessary fillers, and recycled content in its products which are eligible for this credit.

Indoor Environmental Quality
IEQ Credit 4.1: Adhesives and Sealants All building adhesives and sealants, including carpet adhesives and sealants, must meet VOC guidelines of LEED (1 point). Adhesives, sealants and sealant primers must comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1168.
All Philly Queen Commercial adhesives and seam sealers are CRI Green Label Plus certified and meet SCAQMD Rule 1168 requirements.

IEQ Credit 4.3: Flooring Systems
All flooring systems installed in the building interior must meet the testing and product requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus program (1 point).
All Philly Queen Commercial products that are currently available for purchase meet CRI Green Label and Green Label Plus requirements.

Innovation & Design
ID Credit 1.1: Innovation in Design
Achieve significant, measurable environmental performance using a strategy not addressed in the LEED 2009 for Commercial Interiors Rating System. One point is awarded for each innovation achieved. Projects seeking LEED certification can earn “Innovation in Design” points by using products with Cradle to Cradle Certification(sm). Cradle to Cradle certification is granted by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a third-party consultancy founded by the architect William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart. EcoWorx, EcoWorx Broadloom, EcoWorx Performance Broadloom and Eco Solution Q are certified with a Silver rating. Philly Queen Commercial produces one of the few carpet products that can contribute to this credit.

Philly Queen Commercial’s EcoWorx products are Cradle to Cradle Certified and NSF-140 Certified; all contribute toward this credit. To contribute toward LEED Silver, 5% of the total value of all building materials and products based on cost must be Cradle to Cradle Certified or NSF 140 Certified. Gold projects must have 2.5% and Platinum projects must have 1.25% of Cradle to Cradle Certified and NSF 140 Certified building materials and products.

LEED for Commercial Interiors

LEED for Commercial Interiors certifies high-performance green interiors for the tenant improvement market, creating healthy, productive places to work; lowering operating and maintenance costs; and reducing the environmental footprint. Tenants and designers are given the ability to make sustainable choices when they cannot always control whole building operations. The product design, recycled content and recyclability of our carpet provide contribution to LEED CI in the following areas:

Materials and Resources
MR Credit 1.2: Building Reuse
Maintain at least 40% (1 point) or 60% (2 points) by area of the existing non-shell, nonstructural components (e.g., walls, flooring and ceiling systems). Carpet can be removed and reused for a minimal contribution.

MR Credit 2: Construction Waste Management
Recycle and/or salvage nonhazardous construction and demolition debris. Develop and implement a construction waste management plan that, at a minimum, identifies the materials to be diverted from disposal and whether the materials will be sorted on-site or comingled. The minimum percentage debris to be recycled or salvaged is 50% (1 point) or 75% (2 points). Shaw’s Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility recycles 100 million pounds of nylon 6 carpet each year into caprolactam, the building block for new nylon. Carpet becomes carpet again and is not sent to a landfill, eliminating costly tipping fees.

MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
Use materials, including furniture and furnishings, with recycled content1 such that the sum of post consumer recycled content plus 1/2 of the preconsumer3 content constitutes at least 10% (1 point) or 20% (2 points) based on cost of the total value of the materials in the project.
All Philly Queen Commercial carpet made with Eco Solution Q, our cradle-to-cradle nylon, has a minimum of 25% recycled content and can be recycled into more Eco Solution Q at the end of its useful life. EcoWorx tile backing has 40% recycled content and is completely recyclable.EcoWorx Broadloom and Performance Broadloom backings contain 20% post consumer recycled content.

MR Credit 5: Regional Materials
Use a minimum of 20% (1 point) of the combined value of construction and Division 12 (Furniture) materials and products that are manufactured regionally within a radius of 500 miles or a minimum of 10% (2 points) of the combined value of construction and Division 12 (Furniture) materials and products extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project. No raw material or oil based products qualify for Regional Material credit. Philly Queen Commercial uses locally harvested materials, such as necessary fillers, and recycled content in its products which are eligible for this credit. Indoor Environmental Quality

IEQ Credit 4.1: Adhesives and Sealants
All building adhesives and sealants, including carpet adhesives and sealants, must meet VOC guidelines of LEED (1 point). Adhesives, sealants and sealant primers must comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1168. All Philly Queen Commercial adhesives and seam sealers are CRI Green Label Plus certified and meet SCAQMD Rule 1168 requirements.

IEQ Credit 4.3: Flooring Systems
All flooring systems installed in the building interior must meet the testing and product requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus program (1 point). All Philly Queen Commercial products that are currently available for purchase meet CRI Green Label and Green Label Plus requirements.

Innovation & Design
ID Credit 1.1: Innovation in Design
Achieve significant, measurable environmental performance using a strategy not addressed in the LEED 2009 for Commercial Interiors Rating System. One point is awarded for each innovation achieved. Projects seeking LEED certification can earn “Innovation in Design” points by using products with Cradle to Cradle Certification(sm). Cradle to Cradle certification is granted by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a third-party consultancy founded by the architect William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart. EcoWorx, EcoWorx Broadloom, EcoWorx Performance Broadloom and Eco Solution Q are certified with a Silver rating. Philly Queen Commercial produces one of the few carpet products that can contribute to this credit.

Philly Queen Commercial's EcoWorx products are Cradle to Cradle Certified and NSF-140 Certified; all contribute toward this credit. To contribute toward LEED Silver, 5% of the total value of all building materials and products based on cost must be Cradle to Cradle Certified or NSF 140 Certified. Gold projects must have 2.5% and Platinum projects must have 1.25% of Cradle to Cradle Certified and NSF 140 Certified building materials and products.

LEED for Existing Buildings

LEED for Existing Buildings measures operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal being to maximize operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs and systems upgrades. The product design, recycled content and recyclability of our carpet provide contribution to LEED EB in the following areas:

Indoor Environmental Quality
IEQ Credit 1.1: Indoor Air Quality Management Program
Enhance indoor air quality by optimizing practices to prevent the development of indoor air quality problems in buildings, correcting indoor air quality problems when they occur and maintaining the well-being of the occupants. All Philly Queen Commercial products that are currently available for purchase meet CRI Green Label and Green Label Plus requirements.

IEQ Credit 4.1: Adhesives and Sealants
All building adhesives and sealants, including carpet adhesives and sealants, must meet VOC guidelines of LEED (1 point). Adhesives, sealants and sealant primers must comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1168. All Philly Queen Commercial adhesives and seam sealers are CRI Green Label Plus certified and meet SCAQMD Rule 1168 requirements.

IEQ Credit 4.3: Flooring Systems
All flooring systems installed in the building interior must meet the testing and product requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus program (1 point). All Philly Queen Commercial products that are currently available for purchase meet CRI Green Label and Green Label Plus requirements.

Innovation & Design
ID Credit 1.1: Innovation in Design
Achieve significant, measurable environmental performance using a strategy not addressed in the LEED 2009 for Commercial Interiors Rating System. One point is awarded for each innovation achieved. Projects seeking LEED certification can earn “Innovation in Design” points by using products with Cradle to Cradle Certification(sm). Cradle to Cradle certification is granted by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a third-party consultancy founded by the architect William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart. EcoWorx, EcoWorx Broadloom, EcoWorx Performance Broadloom and Eco Solution Q are certified with a Silver rating. Philly Queen Commercial produces one of the few carpet products that can contribute to this credit.

Philly Queen Commercial's EcoWorx products are Cradle to Cradle Certified and NSF-140 Certified; all contribute toward this credit. To contribute toward LEED Silver, 5% of the total value of all building materials and products based on cost must be Cradle to Cradle Certified or NSF 140 Certified. Gold projects must have 2.5% and Platinum projects must have 1.25% of Cradle to Cradle Certified and NSF 140 Certified building materials and products.

LEED for Commercial Schools

The appropriate learning environment is critical to a student’s success. The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Schools certification program reinforces the importance of clean air, natural light and high-quality acoustics to the ideal physical learning environment. LEED for Schools promotes the building of green schools while focusing on the unique aspect of children’s health issues and learning environments.

By incorporating high performance backing systems like EcoWorx, Philly Queen Commercial carpet is designed for optimum performance and unrivaled sustainability. We offer completely recyclable carpet options, providing a model resource to schools that contribute toward LEED certification.

Philly Queen Commercial carpet contributes toward LEED for Schools certification in the following areas:

MR Credit 2 : Construction Waste Management
Carpet with recyclable Eco Solution Q nylon and EcoWorx backing pulled from a site contributes to this credit. We will also help facilitate recycling efforts of other carpet products.

MR Credit 4 : Recycled Content (post consumer + Π pre-consumer)
Completely recyclable EcoWorx tile backing contains 40% pre-consumer content and EcoWorx Performance Broadloom contains 20% post-consumer recycled content. Eco Solution Q nylon fiber has an additional 25% pre-consumer content.

MR Credit 5 : Regional Materials
Projects within 500 miles of our manufacturing facilities in Cartersville, GA can claim carpet toward the 10% minimum. The regionally harvested materials in ClassicBac and TekLok backings also contribute.

IEQ Prerequisite 3 : Minimum Acoustical Performance

IEQ Credit 9 : Enhanced Acoustical Performance
Carpet enhances classroom acoustics by dampening background noise and reducing Reverberation Time. Carpet, fabric-faced wall panels and acoustical ceiling tiles contribute toward this credit.

IEQ Credit 3.1/3.2 : Construction IAQ Management Plan
Our products are CRI Green Label Plus certified which is a prerequisite for this point.

IEQ Credit 4.1 : Adhesives and Sealants

IEQ Credit 4.3 : Flooring Systems
Philly Queen Commercial products are CRI Green Label Plus certified and contribute to Adhesives and Sealants and Flooring Systems points.

IEQ 10 : Mold Prevention
EcoWorx products contribute to an IAQ Management Program, which is a prerequisite for the Mold Prevention credit.

ID 1 : Innovation in Design
Philly Queen Commercial’s Cradle to Cradle Certified and NSF 140 Platinum Certified products contribute toward this credit.