Living Homes

Building materials have multiple impacts on the environment, both positive and negative. One common way to assess these impacts is through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which considers the full range of a product’s environmental impacts, from resource extraction to manufacture and then through installation and ultimate disposal. This type of analysis allows for comprehensive and multidimensional product comparisons. With flooring for example, LCA weighs the resource-extraction impacts and durability of hardwoods with the manufacturing impacts, emissions during use and potential recyclability of carpet.

Defining whether a building material is “green” is not an exact science. But there is still a role for objective analysis and testing.

Most of the materials Listed in the Products Area are included in GreenSpec, a database of approximately 2000 environmentally-friendly building products published by the Environmental Building News. GreenSpec screens its products based on standards and testing procedures established by third-party groups with an interest in green building. This scientific analysis helps to separate green products from “greenwashed” products.

Products are divided into five basic green building categories.

 Save Energy

• Products that either reduce heating and cooling loads, such as building orientation, high-quality windows, and insulation.
• Products that use less energy, such as Energy Star-rated appliances, efficient heating and cooling systems and florescent lamps.
• Products that produce energy, such as solar electricity generation systems.

 Conserve Water

• Products that conserve water above and beyond what is required by law, such as dual-flush toilets and under-sink flow restrictors
• Products that consume less water, such as native landscaping and drought-tolerant plantings.

 Contribute to a Safe, Healthy Indoor Environment

• Products that don’t release significant pollutants into the building, such as no-VOC paints, formaldehyde-free cabinets, and non-toxic caulks, sealers and adhesives, CRI Green Label carpets and pads.
• Products that block the spread of or remove indoor pollutants, such as duct mastic, effective ventilation equipment, and air and water filters.
• Products that warn occupants of health hazards, such as Carbon Monoxide detectors and humidity sensors.

 Protect Natural Resources

• Products with recycled content, such as carpet, tile, wallboard, and wood replacements made from polystyrene.
• Products made from agricultural waste material, such as wheat straw, sunflower stalks, and rice hulls.
• Products that reduce material use, such as drywall clips and concrete pigments that turn concrete slabs into finished floors.
• Products made from rapidly renewable materials, such as bamboo flooring, natural linoleum, cork and textiles made from wool, sisal, hemp and organic cotton.
• Wood products from sustainably managed forests, certified according to the principles of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
• Salvaged products, such as bricks, lumber and plumbing fixtures.

 Reduce Buildings’ Impact on the Community

• Products that mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff, such as permeable pavers, green roofs and cisterns.
• Products that provide easy access to alternative modes of transportation such as bike racks and storage units.
• Products that do not require chemical pesticides or treatment, such as plastic lumber, physical termite barriers and native vegetation.
• Products that contain no dioxin-producing polyvinylchoride (PVC) or ozone-depleting HCFCs.

Information & Graphics Provided by Global Green USA