There are essentially three critical areas of commitment related to land and materials for LEED certification:  Recycled Materials, Locally Grown and Certified Materials, and Sustainable Site Selection.

Recycled materials

The most common way of thinking about recycled materials is through materials reuse.  The goal is to reduce demand for new materials and to reduce waste, thereby reducing impacts associated with the extraction and processing of new resources.  For the SLTC, at least 20% of the materials used include post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content.

Another common component of recycling is through construction waste management.  Over 75% of the total construction waste from the building process was diverted from landfills.  We are most proud to be the first in Arkansas to use the grounded gypsum wallboard (drywall) waste as topsoil fill in the landscaping of The Village at Hendrix.  

Locally Grown and Certified Materials

Part of the commitment to sustainability is increased demand for building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within the region, thereby supporting the use of indigenous resources and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from transportation.  At least 10% of the materials used were manufactured from local businesses within 500 miles of Hendrix College.  Buying local materials decreases the amount of energy expended to transport the materials to the site.

Furthermore, best practices in sustainability encourage environmentally responsible forest management.  Wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council were installed when available. 

Sustainable Site

The SLTC was built on an already developed site to reduce the building’s impact on the local environment.  Additionally, 50% of the site is landscaped with native and adaptive plants in order to promote biodiversity. 

Alternative Transportation

One of our environmental goals is achieved through the promotion of and support of use of alternative transportation in order to reduce pollution and the impact of automobile use.  To promote use of alternative transportation, we’ve included easy access to bike racks and the inclusion of showering and changing facilities in the building.

In order to promote carpooling, no new parking lot was built on the SLTC site.  Instead, the building staff and students will share existing parking across campus.  Finally, specific parking spaces near the building will be designated for alternatively fueled cars.