{
  "title": "Fence noise, wildfire, flood, snow and environmental-claims evidence reference",
  "reviewedAt": "2026-10-04",
  "methodology": "Targeted review of primary agency, university, program and manufacturer documents through Firecrawl. Findings are source-attributed document summaries, explicit source observations or labeled original illustrations. No original field tests, insurance determinations, representative sample or material life-cycle assessment was conducted.",
  "compilationLicense": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "licenseNote": "CC BY 4.0 covers Fence Advisors' original compilation, diagrams and worksheets; it does not relicense third-party documents or trademarks.",
  "limitations": [
    "Source editions, publication dates and climatic reference periods are retained; the review date does not make historical data current.",
    "Highway barrier guidance is not a guaranteed backyard fence result; receiver geometry and comparable measurement conditions matter.",
    "NIST experiments describe tested configurations, not population failure rates, brand ratings or universal safe separations.",
    "IBHS requirements belong to the cited voluntary designation program, not every jurisdiction or insurance policy.",
    "NFIP's documented fence exclusion does not decide a private flood policy, a homeowners claim or the cause of a specific loss.",
    "Snow-tool default zeros are not observations. Its 1971-2000 climate inputs are historical, and a site-specific setback is not supplied here.",
    "Recycled content, local recyclability and life-cycle impact are separate claims. Manufacturer statements are not independent measurements.",
    "Original calculations use chosen inputs, not observed fence products, quotes or site performance. No original test, field survey or new national statistics are claimed."
  ],
  "sources": [
    { "id": "fhwa", "label": "FHWA: Highway Traffic Noise Barriers at a Glance", "url": "https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Environment/noise/noise_barriers/design_construction/keepdown.cfm", "editionOrDate": "Page updated October 6, 2021", "locator": "How do noise barriers work?; effectiveness, openings and vegetation sections", "reviewScope": "Full public page; selected highway-barrier guidance, not every current standard or a residential product test." },
    { "id": "fhwaTerms", "label": "FHWA Noise Barrier Design Handbook, Section 15", "url": "https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Environment/noise/noise_barriers/design_construction/design/design15.cfm", "editionOrDate": "Web section updated June 28, 2017; historical handbook", "locator": "Sections 15.1 and 15.1.2; before/after comparability", "reviewScope": "Selected insertion-loss definition and measurement-equivalence passages; historical software references are not current software recommendations." },
    { "id": "nist22", "label": "NIST: residential fence and mulch fire study", "url": "https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2022/08/nist-study-finds-wildfire-hazards-residential-fences-and-mulch-beds", "editionOrDate": "August 11, 2022; news page updated February 3, 2025", "locator": "187 experiments; combined fuels, parallel fences and ember pathways", "reviewScope": "Full NIST news summary of TN 2228, not a complete review of the underlying report or all local wildfire codes." },
    { "id": "nist25", "label": "NIST TN 2357: composite fence fire experiments", "url": "https://www.nist.gov/publications/wind-driven-fire-spread-structure-composite-fences", "editionOrDate": "November 26, 2025", "locator": "Abstract; three fence designs, wind, target and full-scale outcomes", "reviewScope": "Publication record and abstract; two WPC and one SPC design, not a representative sample of composite fences." },
    { "id": "nistPdf", "label": "NIST TN 2357 report PDF", "url": "https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=960430", "editionOrDate": "November 2025; DOI 10.6028/NIST.TN.2357", "locator": "Abstract and selected setup/results passages", "reviewScope": "First 100 of 169 PDF pages retrieved; targeted abstract, experimental setup and results inspected, not a full-report review." },
    { "id": "ibhs", "label": "IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home FAQ", "url": "https://wildfireprepared.org/frequently-asked-questions/", "editionOrDate": "Undated public FAQ checked October 4, 2026", "locator": "0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone; vinyl fencing question", "reviewScope": "Selected program requirements and measurement caveats; not universal building law or proof of designation eligibility." },
    { "id": "nfip", "label": "NFIP Standard Flood Insurance Policy: Dwelling Form", "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-44/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-61/appendix-Appendix%20A%281%29%20to%20Part%2061", "editionOrDate": "eCFR displayed Title 44 current through October 1, 2026; form amendment citations through 2021", "locator": "Article IV, Property Not Insured, item 12", "reviewScope": "Current eCFR dwelling-form exclusion inspected; eCFR is authoritative but unofficial. Not a private-policy or claim determination." },
    { "id": "floodsmart", "label": "FloodSmart: buying flood insurance and coverage exclusions", "url": "https://www.floodsmart.gov/get-insured/buy-a-policy", "editionOrDate": "Undated public page checked October 4, 2026", "locator": "What doesn't flood insurance cover?; homeowners and flood coverage questions", "reviewScope": "Public NFIP guidance; outside-property fence exclusion corroborates the dwelling form, not all private-policy terms." },
    { "id": "umn", "label": "University of Minnesota: Drift-Free Roads Design Tool", "url": "https://snowfencedesign.umn.edu/", "editionOrDate": "Undated tool checked October 4, 2026; climatic inputs labeled 1971-2000", "locator": "Mean Snowfall; Snow Water Equivalent; Fence Height; Fence Setback; transport and fetch inputs", "reviewScope": "Visible instructions and default/unconfigured state, not a computed site design or updated climate assessment. We did not execute a selected-location scenario." },
    { "id": "mndot", "label": "MnDOT: living and structural snow-fence anti-drifting measures", "url": "https://www.dot.state.mn.us/environment/livingsnowfence/antidrifting.html", "editionOrDate": "Undated public guidance checked October 4, 2026", "locator": "Structural snow fence design; living snow fence design", "reviewScope": "Placement purpose, site constraints and landowner arrangements; no universal residential dimension or road-installation authorization." },
    { "id": "green1", "label": "FTC Green Guides: purpose and scope, 16 CFR 260.1", "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-260/section-260.1", "editionOrDate": "2012 guides; current eCFR checked October 4, 2026", "locator": "Paragraphs (a)-(d)", "reviewScope": "Guidance status and application to marketing including B2B; not individualized legal clearance." },
    { "id": "green12", "label": "FTC Green Guides: recyclable claims, 16 CFR 260.12", "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-260/section-260.12", "editionOrDate": "2012 guides; current eCFR checked October 4, 2026", "locator": "Paragraphs (a)-(d), especially (b)(1)", "reviewScope": "Established-program recovery, access threshold, qualification and product scope; no measurement of current fence recycling availability." },
    { "id": "green13", "label": "FTC Green Guides: recycled content, 16 CFR 260.13", "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-260/section-260.13", "editionOrDate": "2012 guides; current eCFR checked October 4, 2026", "locator": "Paragraphs (a)-(c), Examples 1-3", "reviewScope": "Waste-stream, pre/post-consumer and by-weight scope; no independent testing of a fence manufacturer's claim." },
    { "id": "trex", "label": "Trex composite fencing product page", "url": "https://www.trex.com/products/fencing/", "editionOrDate": "Undated manufacturer page checked October 4, 2026", "locator": "Features: Eco-Friendly", "reviewScope": "Manufacturer's 95% recycled wood/plastic blend statement only; no third-party content audit, local end-of-life acceptance or whole installed assembly measurement." }
  ],
  "noise": {
    "scope": "FHWA highway traffic-barrier guidance and original arithmetic, not a tested backyard fence or a universal noise-reduction promise.",
    "typicalReductionDb": { "min": 5, "max": 10 },
    "examples": [
      { "beforeDba": 75, "afterDba": 70, "differenceDb": 5 },
      { "beforeDba": 75, "afterDba": 65, "differenceDb": 10 }
    ],
    "siteFields": ["Source and its operating conditions", "Receiver location and height", "Elevation and line of sight", "Openings and fence ends", "Exact barrier assembly", "Height/length approvals and structural design", "Measurement metric, period and equipment", "Comparable traffic and weather"]
  },
  "wildfire": {
    "scope": "NIST 2022 summary and 2025 TN 2357 abstract/selected report passages; IBHS program guidance separately identified. Not a population failure rate, brand ranking or safe-distance prescription.",
    "earlierExperiments": 187,
    "compositeDesigns": 3,
    "designsWithExtendedFlamesWithoutMulch": 2,
    "nominalMeanWindMps": 6,
    "publishedApproxWindMph": 13,
    "targetDistanceM": 1.83,
    "publishedTargetDistanceFt": 6,
    "designs": [
      { "label": "WPC design 1: vertical boards", "observedBehavior": "Frame distortion and burning boards falling to the sides", "boundary": "One tested wood-plastic assembly, not all vertical fencing" },
      { "label": "SPC design: steel/plastic", "observedBehavior": "Melting/dripping plastic, large flames and wind-driven burning strands", "boundary": "Steel-containing assembly was not wholly noncombustible" },
      { "label": "WPC design 2: horizontal boards", "observedBehavior": "Boards sank as consumed; slower localized burning/glowing without mulch", "boundary": "Less severe behavior in these tests, not fireproof or a general horizontal-fence approval" }
    ],
    "siteFields": ["Where fence/gate approaches or meets the home", "Combustible materials in the full assembly", "Mulch, leaves and stored items", "Parallel neighboring fences", "Program/code requirements and measurement basis", "Egress, property boundaries and approvals", "Qualified review and documented next step"]
  },
  "flood": {
    "scope": "Explicit NFIP dwelling-form exclusion plus an original claim-preparation record. Private policies, cause of loss and actual coverage require separate insurer review.",
    "policyQuestions": [
      { "scenario": "NFIP flood damage to a fence", "answer": "Fence excluded", "basis": "Dwelling Form Article IV.12; FloodSmart public guidance" },
      { "scenario": "Private flood policy", "answer": "Read the exact policy and endorsements", "basis": "Not determined by this NFIP reference" },
      { "scenario": "Wind, falling tree or mixed storm damage", "answer": "Ask insurer to assess cause and applicable terms", "basis": "Storm name alone does not decide coverage" },
      { "scenario": "Product or workmanship problem", "answer": "Separate warranty/contract route", "basis": "Warranty and insurance are not interchangeable" }
    ],
    "recordFields": ["Loss date and safe factual photos", "Fence location, components and observed damage", "Policy type/number and form/endorsements", "Written insurer coverage explanation and provision", "Insurer-supplied deadlines and required forms", "Itemized repair/removal/replacement scope", "Authorized emergency work and receipts", "Case number, contact, next step and date"]
  },
  "snow": {
    "scope": "University of Minnesota historical design-tool guidance and MnDOT placement context; not a site prediction, updated climate normal or fixed universal setback.",
    "climateReferencePeriod": "1971-2000",
    "porosityExamples": [
      { "description": "Solid fence: reference entry, not recommended snow design", "decimal": 0, "percentOpenArea": 0 },
      { "description": "Structural snow fence: listed option", "decimal": 0.25, "percentOpenArea": 25 },
      { "description": "Structural snow fence: listed option and storage guidance", "decimal": 0.5, "percentOpenArea": 50 }
    ],
    "recordFields": ["Problem area and required clear area", "Observed snow-transport direction and variation", "Upwind fetch and terrain", "Climate data period and suitability", "Chosen porosity and effective fence height", "Transport/storage assessment", "Downwind storage area and verified setback", "Landowner/right-of-way permissions", "Seasonal inspection and changing vegetation"]
  },
  "environment": {
    "scope": "FTC claim definitions, one attributed manufacturer statement and chosen arithmetic. Not a material carbon ranking, independent content audit or measured recycling-access survey.",
    "recyclingAccessThresholdPercent": 60,
    "trexClaimPercent": 95,
    "assemblyExample": {
      "components": [ { "label": "Chosen component A", "massKg": 80, "recycledPercent": 95 }, { "label": "Chosen component B", "massKg": 20, "recycledPercent": 0 } ],
      "totalMassKg": 100,
      "recycledMassKg": 76,
      "assemblyRecycledPercent": 76,
      "scope": "Invented two-component arithmetic illustration, not Trex weights, an actual fence or a statement about any manufacturer's compliance. It assumes a consistent verified by-mass basis and counts both components."
    },
    "claimQuestions": [
      { "claim": "Recycled content", "evidence": "Exact component, percentage by mass and pre/post-consumer basis", "notProven": "Local recyclability or lowest life-cycle impact" },
      { "claim": "Recyclable", "evidence": "Actual acceptance of this product, recovery route and market access", "notProven": "Recycled content or acceptance of all accessories" },
      { "claim": "Renewable material", "evidence": "Named input and substantiated source/scope", "notProven": "Lower carbon footprint of the installed fence" },
      { "claim": "Lower carbon footprint", "evidence": "Comparable life-cycle study, function, boundary and assumptions", "notProven": "A result from content percentage alone" }
    ]
  },
  "findings": [
    { "id": "NO-01", "pageSlug": "fence-noise-reduction", "statement": "FHWA says effective highway traffic noise barriers typically reduce noise levels by 5-10 dB; this is not a promised reduction for an ordinary backyard fence.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-noise-reduction#how-many-decibels-can-a-barrier-reduce", "sourceIds": ["fhwa"], "locator": "How do noise barriers work?", "evidenceKind": "agency_guidance", "scope": "Typical effective highway barriers; actual receiver geometry, source and installed assembly still matter." },
    { "id": "NO-02", "pageSlug": "fence-noise-reduction", "statement": "FHWA's guidance requires a barrier to block the source-to-receiver line of sight and be sufficiently tall and long; openings and sound traveling around the ends can undermine its benefit.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-noise-reduction#height-length-and-openings-matter", "sourceIds": ["fhwa"], "locator": "Effective barriers; openings; receivers above the barrier", "evidenceKind": "agency_guidance", "scope": "A conceptual screening principle, not an approved height, universal length or engineered fence specification." },
    { "id": "NO-03", "pageSlug": "fence-noise-reduction", "statement": "FHWA describes a 10 dB traffic-noise reduction as approximately halving perceived loudness, not eliminating sound or reducing every listener's annoyance by a measured percentage.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-noise-reduction#what-does-10-db-less-noise-mean", "sourceIds": ["fhwa"], "locator": "Opening barrier-effectiveness explanation", "evidenceKind": "agency_guidance", "scope": "Approximate perceived-loudness description for traffic noise, not a sound-energy percentage, health result or residential guarantee." },
    { "id": "NO-04", "pageSlug": "fence-noise-reduction", "statement": "FHWA defines insertion loss as the before-barrier minus after-barrier sound level at the same receiver and calls for equivalent source, site and atmospheric conditions in before/after measurements.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-noise-reduction#measure-the-result-at-the-receiver", "sourceIds": ["fhwaTerms"], "locator": "Sections 15.1 and 15.1.2", "evidenceKind": "agency_measurement_guidance", "scope": "Historical handbook definition and comparability principle; unmatched casual phone readings are not a verified barrier rating." },
    { "id": "NO-05", "pageSlug": "fence-noise-reduction", "statement": "In a chosen arithmetic example, 75 dBA before minus 65 dBA after equals a 10 dB level difference; those chosen readings are not measurements of a Fence Advisors project.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-noise-reduction#measure-the-result-at-the-receiver", "sourceIds": ["fhwaTerms"], "locator": "Original subtraction illustration based on the Section 15.1 definition", "evidenceKind": "original_calculation", "scope": "Chosen readings and identical metric only; a real insertion-loss assessment also needs source/site/weather comparability." },
    { "id": "WF-01", "pageSlug": "fence-wildfire-risk-research", "statement": "NIST's 2022 fence-and-mulch summary describes 187 experiments across fuels and configurations; it is not a count of 187 wildfires or a fence failure-rate survey.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-wildfire-risk-research#what-the-187-earlier-experiments-showed", "sourceIds": ["nist22"], "locator": "Through 187 experiments; combined fuels and parallel fences", "evidenceKind": "agency_research_summary", "scope": "Laboratory/experimental work described by NIST, with different fuel combinations; not 187 identical full-scale tests." },
    { "id": "WF-02", "pageSlug": "fence-wildfire-risk-research", "statement": "NIST TN 2357 (2025) tested two wood-plastic composite fence designs and one steel-plastic composite design with a nominal mean wind of 6 m/s (about 13 mph) and a target structure 1.83 m (6 ft) downwind.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-wildfire-risk-research#the-2025-composite-fence-test-conditions", "sourceIds": ["nist25", "nistPdf"], "locator": "Abstract and experimental setup", "evidenceKind": "experimental_conditions", "scope": "Three consumer fence designs and an imposed ignition/wind setup; the target distance is not a recommended safe setback." },
    { "id": "WF-03", "pageSlug": "fence-wildfire-risk-research", "statement": "In NIST's 2025 full-scale tests, two of the three investigated composite fence designs produced flames above and well downwind of the fence even without mulch beneath it; this is not a 67% population failure rate.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-wildfire-risk-research#why-composite-is-not-one-fire-behavior", "sourceIds": ["nist25"], "locator": "Abstract, full-scale findings", "evidenceKind": "experimental_result", "scope": "Observed behavior of three tested designs, not random sampling, all composite products or an individual property's probability of loss." },
    { "id": "WF-04", "pageSlug": "fence-wildfire-risk-research", "statement": "NIST observed burning boards falling from one wood-plastic design and burning plastic from the steel-plastic design; a fence containing steel is not therefore an entirely noncombustible assembly.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-wildfire-risk-research#why-composite-is-not-one-fire-behavior", "sourceIds": ["nist25", "nistPdf"], "locator": "Abstract and selected design-specific results", "evidenceKind": "experimental_result", "scope": "Design-specific observations; no identified brand ranking, fireproof certification or universal orientation recommendation." },
    { "id": "WF-05", "pageSlug": "fence-wildfire-risk-research", "statement": "The IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home FAQ requires fencing within its 0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone to be noncombustible and does not accept vinyl there; this is a program requirement, not a statement of every local law.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-wildfire-risk-research#what-the-ibhs-five-foot-zone-does-and-does-not-mean", "sourceIds": ["ibhs"], "locator": "Vinyl fencing within 5 feet question and Zone 0 measurement context", "evidenceKind": "program_requirement", "scope": "IBHS designation program with separate wall/deck measurement and other requirements; a five-foot replacement segment alone does not establish eligibility or fire immunity." },
    { "id": "FL-01", "pageSlug": "does-flood-insurance-cover-fences", "statement": "The NFIP Standard Flood Insurance Policy Dwelling Form expressly lists fences as property not insured in Article IV, item 12; FloodSmart's public coverage guidance also excludes fences.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/does-flood-insurance-cover-fences#where-the-nfip-fence-exclusion-appears", "sourceIds": ["nfip", "floodsmart"], "locator": "Dwelling Form IV.12; What doesn't flood insurance cover?", "evidenceKind": "policy_exclusion", "scope": "NFIP source documents; not a conclusion about a private insurer's policy or the cause of a particular loss." },
    { "id": "FL-02", "pageSlug": "does-flood-insurance-cover-fences", "statement": "A fence's NFIP exclusion does not establish that all private flood policies exclude fences; this reference does not determine private-policy coverage.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/does-flood-insurance-cover-fences#nfip-private-flood-and-other-storm-damage", "sourceIds": ["nfip"], "locator": "Original scope interpretation of the NFIP Dwelling Form IV.12", "evidenceKind": "editorial_scope_interpretation", "scope": "Absence of private-policy research is explicit; consult the exact form, endorsements and licensed insurer/agent rather than infer a private benefit or exclusion." },
    { "id": "FL-03", "pageSlug": "does-flood-insurance-cover-fences", "statement": "FloodSmart says most homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage; a storm-damaged fence still needs a cause-of-loss and actual-policy review rather than an assumption based on the storm's name.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/does-flood-insurance-cover-fences#nfip-private-flood-and-other-storm-damage", "sourceIds": ["floodsmart"], "locator": "Homeowners/renters flood question; original claim-scope caution", "evidenceKind": "agency_guidance_with_editorial_boundary", "scope": "General flood guidance, not a determination that wind, falling-tree, debris-removal or mixed losses are covered." },
    { "id": "FL-04", "pageSlug": "does-flood-insurance-cover-fences", "statement": "The Fence Advisors fence-loss record is a blank preparation worksheet, not an insurance claim form, proof of coverage or an instruction to remove damaged property before documenting it safely.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/does-flood-insurance-cover-fences#prepare-a-safe-fence-loss-record", "sourceIds": [], "locator": "Original record fields and safe documentation workflow", "evidenceKind": "original_worksheet", "scope": "Use the insurer's required forms, authorized steps and supplied deadlines; unsafe barriers, electrical hazards and contamination require appropriate professional help." },
    { "id": "SN-01", "pageSlug": "snow-fence-porosity-and-setback", "statement": "The University of Minnesota snow-fence tool describes 50% porosity as maximizing snow storage in its design guidance; 50% porosity means half the fence area is open, not half the snowfall or wind speed.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/snow-fence-porosity-and-setback#what-50-percent-porosity-means", "sourceIds": ["umn"], "locator": "Fence Height, porosity table and storage explanation", "evidenceKind": "university_design_guidance", "scope": "Snow-storage guidance within the cited model; not a universal optimum for every windbreak, installation or living fence." },
    { "id": "SN-02", "pageSlug": "snow-fence-porosity-and-setback", "statement": "The University of Minnesota tool labels its seasonal snowfall and snow-water-equivalent climatological inputs as 1971-2000; they are historical reference inputs, not 2026 climate normals.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/snow-fence-porosity-and-setback#the-climate-data-period-is-part-of-the-answer", "sourceIds": ["umn"], "locator": "Mean Snowfall; Snow Water Equivalent", "evidenceKind": "source_period_observation", "scope": "Visible source periods retained; no replacement climate dataset or claim that these inputs are suitable for every current project." },
    { "id": "SN-03", "pageSlug": "snow-fence-porosity-and-setback", "statement": "The University of Minnesota tool bases fence height on porosity and seasonal snow transport and setback on porosity, height and attack angle; a fixed setback cannot be selected from fence height alone using this reference.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/snow-fence-porosity-and-setback#why-setback-is-not-one-universal-number", "sourceIds": ["umn", "mndot"], "locator": "Fence Height; Fence Setback; MnDOT living-fence placement purpose", "evidenceKind": "university_design_guidance", "scope": "Design inputs and conceptual downwind storage, not a computed dimension, a universal multiplier or permission to install within a road right-of-way." },
    { "id": "SN-04", "pageSlug": "snow-fence-porosity-and-setback", "statement": "The unconfigured University of Minnesota tool displayed zero-valued location/results fields when checked; those defaults are not observed zero snowfall, zero transport or a recommended zero setback.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/snow-fence-porosity-and-setback#do-not-cite-empty-tool-results-as-observations", "sourceIds": ["umn"], "locator": "Visible initial/default state, checked October 4, 2026", "evidenceKind": "source_state_observation", "scope": "Observation of the unconfigured page only; no selected-site scenario was executed and no site's climate was measured." },
    { "id": "EN-01", "pageSlug": "fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable", "statement": "Recycled content describes recovered or diverted material used in a product; recyclable describes an established route to recover the item after use. One claim does not establish the other under the FTC Green Guides.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable#recycled-content-and-recyclable-answer-different-questions", "sourceIds": ["green12", "green13"], "locator": "260.12(a); 260.13(a)-(c)", "evidenceKind": "regulatory_guidance", "scope": "FTC marketing-claim guidance, not a product certification, independent recycled-content assay or local recycling-access measurement." },
    { "id": "EN-02", "pageSlug": "fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable", "statement": "For an unqualified recyclable claim, FTC guidance defines substantial recycling access as at least 60% of consumers or communities where the item is sold; 60% is not a recycled-content threshold or a measured recycling rate.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable#what-the-ftc-60-percent-threshold-means", "sourceIds": ["green12"], "locator": "260.12(b)(1)-(2), with product scope in (c)-(d)", "evidenceKind": "regulatory_guidance", "scope": "Access to appropriate recovery facilities for the actual item; other claim conditions and clear qualifications still apply." },
    { "id": "EN-03", "pageSlug": "fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable", "statement": "Trex's fencing page states that its composite fencing blend uses 95% recycled wood and plastic; that is an attributed manufacturer claim, not Fence Advisors' independent audit or a local end-of-life recycling guarantee.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable#how-to-cite-a-manufacturer-content-claim", "sourceIds": ["trex"], "locator": "Features: Eco-Friendly, checked October 4, 2026", "evidenceKind": "manufacturer_statement", "scope": "Named composite blend; do not silently extend the claim to all installed concrete, metal framing, hardware, packaging or a confirmed local recovery route." },
    { "id": "EN-04", "pageSlug": "fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable", "statement": "In an invented two-component example, 80 kg at 95% recycled content plus 20 kg at 0% gives 76 kg recycled material in 100 kg total, or 76% by mass for the defined assembly; these are not actual Trex or fence measurements.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable#component-percentages-are-not-assembly-percentages", "sourceIds": ["green13"], "locator": "Original weighted-mass illustration; 260.13(c) describes by-weight claim scope", "evidenceKind": "original_calculation", "scope": "Invented masses/content values, consistent by-mass basis and two-component boundary; not a product allegation, audit or legal-compliance conclusion." },
    { "id": "EN-05", "pageSlug": "fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable", "statement": "The FTC Green Guides explain the Commission's views on environmental marketing claims and do not bind the FTC or public by themselves; inconsistent claims can still lead to action under the FTC Act.", "citationUrl": "https://fenceadvisors.com/blog/fence-recycled-content-vs-recyclable#ask-for-a-verifiable-environmental-claim", "sourceIds": ["green1"], "locator": "260.1(a)-(d)", "evidenceKind": "guidance_status", "scope": "Guidance applies to consumer and B2B marketing; this article does not provide individualized legal clearance or claim FTC product approval." }
  ]
}