LEED points for Grease Interceptors?

Dear plumbing and/or mechanical engineer and loyal interceptor whisperer fan,

By 'fan' of course I mean anyone who has ever read one of my blog posts OR just accidentally stumbled upon the blog and didn't immediately hit the back button OR after hitting the back button, later recalled, even if somewhat vaguely, having ever visited the blog - really the definition is a bit fluid right now.

Anyway, now that we have firmly established with whom this particular blog post is concerned, let us move on to the increasingly more important topic of building construction and the LEED certification program.

Now, if you are not aware of what LEED certification is then you are most likely not the intended reader of this post. That being said, for those who do not know what LEED certification is but who would like to read this post anyway - I am concentrating very hard right now and meditating deeply upon whom that might be and really, no one comes to mind - you may find more information here: http://www.usgbc.org/certification.

If you would not like to read further but would like to know what the audible equivalent to reading further would be, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWuQVpBeqLs

Now then, back to those who already know what LEED certification is.  The point of this post is to answer a question that comes up from time to time, "are there any LEED credits for particular grease interceptors?"

It is at this point that I would normally indulge a masochistic need to share the minutia of the LEED certification credit system to satisfy myself that I have thoroughly analyzed and answered the question regardless of how you, the reader, feels about it.

I believe, however I can reduce all of that extra typing and the resulting exacerbation of carpal tunnel syndrome by answering the question as follows:

NO!

On the off chance that there may be someone out there not completely satisfied with that answer, allow me to point out the relevant portions of the LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System that bear on the question.

Materials and Resources
There are three possible subheadings that would potentially apply to grease interceptors.  They are:
MR Credit 3: Materials Reuse
MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
MR Credit 5: Regional Materials

Each of these credit areas make the same statement, which I believe will satisfy even the most meticulous student of LEED certifications:

"Mechanical, electrical and plumbing components and specialty items such as elevators and equipment cannot be included in this calculation."

So there you have it, grease interceptors do not qualify for LEED credits.

Whether you are a first time reader or in the off chance you have returned deliberately to this blog (i.e. you are a fan), I hope this in-depth review and insightful post prove helpful should the question of LEED credits and grease interceptors ever come up around your office.