Abbie asks: What is pre-consumer content? Why isn't something like steel scraps in a manufacturing process that then go back into the mix considered pre-consumer recycled content??

Answer: According to the definitions in MR Credit 4, LEED describes pre-consumer content as material that is diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process which is then bought or traded and incorporated into another manufacturing process. It's an important distinction that content and materials that have been re-utilized within the same manufacturing process do not count. For instance, a manufacturing process for steel beams or carpet that collects any scrap and trimmings and then throws them back in the pot to make more steel and carpet products doesn't count.

A good example of pre-consumer content is denim that is taken from a jeans factory and then sold to an insulation company that is making cotton denim insulation.

Hope this helps!
Green-Buildings.com