WiserEarth Area of Focus Stewards

Green Building Materials

We tend to evaluate green products on the basis of the material itself. For example, sisal rugs, made from fast-growing plants, are non-toxic and biodegradable. But reducing a building's environmental impact also means using building products and fixtures which may significantly lower energy and water use. Other considerations when selecting green products include whether they contain recycled and locally-produced materials. A product's durability, maintenance cost, ease of reuse, and recyclability should also factor into your decisions.

Assessing how green a building material is, or if its function is consistent with your green building goals, can be complicated. However, there are resources available to help you through this process.

 

Evaluating and Selecting Green Products
http://www.wbdg.org/resources/greenproducts.php

GreenSpec-Listed Green Building Products
http://www.buildinggreen.com/menus/

Green Product Information
http://www.oikos.com/green_products/index.php

How to Evaluate Green Products
http://www.ebuild.com/articles/articleId.858158/artnum.2.hwx

Definitions and standards
http://www.pharoslens.net/


These organizations and businesses provide information and specifications on selecting environmentally preferable building products: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/greenbuilding/Materials.html

Santa Cruz's Ecology Action Green Building Materials Guide:

http://www.ecoact.org/Programs/Green_Building/green_Materials/index.htm 

GreenSpace's upcoming workshops and events:

http://www.greenspacecompany.com/index.php/greenspace-events