OVERVIEW
We rarely think about our building products beyond their immediate impact on a building or its indoor air quality. But we should.
How much energy does it take to make a product? What are the raw materials? How much does the product contribute to global warming?
These questions are not addressed by most green product programs, but the resources found here look at products and materials throughout their life cycles, including through:
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life-cycle assessments
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environmental product declarations
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carbon accounting
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embodied energy
With additional knowledge, you will have a more nuanced view of why products are environmentally sustainable and how they can be improved in the future.
IN-DEPTH
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Can Concrete Save Us? Locking Up Carbon in Building Materials
June 1, 2014Feature Article
Concrete is responsible for a huge proportion of global carbon dioxide emissions. A few companies want to reverse this cycle by sequestering carbon in building materials.
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Cladding: More Than Just a Pretty Façade
September 2, 2014Feature Article
Cladding materials should be chosen to minimize environmental impacts and help maximize a building’s energy performance.
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Raze or Retrofit? Six Extraordinary Answers to an Everyday Question
November 3, 2014Feature Article
Saving a building is usually an environmental win, but thoughtful renovation isn’t easy. And there comes a time to tear things down.
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EPDs Are the Future of the Building Industry, Whether You Like It or Not
August 3, 2015Feature Article
Environmental product declarations are taking off, but can they actually fly? Experts share the ups and downs of this promising but imperfect transparency tool.
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Circular Economy at Scale: Six International Case Studies
October 5, 2015Feature Article
These teams are applying radical life-cycle thinking to entire projects—and redefining what building ownership means in the process.
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The Great Eight: High-Impact Material Choices for Green Building
June 6, 2016Feature Article
We’re at a tipping point in insulation, flooring, textiles, and other product categories. Here’s what to spec and what to avoid.
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The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation
PDF Report
The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation provides detailed guidance on insulation products and practices, including cost comparisons and detailed recommendations on what insulation to use, and what to avoid.
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Better Steel, Lower Impacts
May 2, 2017Feature Article
Steel’s reputation for high embodied energy and carbon emissions are well documented, but improvements in processing, product selection, and end use can minimize these impacts.
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The Urgency of Embodied Carbon and What You Can Do About It
Spotlight Report
Building materials emit massive amounts of carbon long before the lights go on. Here’s how thoughtful design can reduce global warming impact.
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Retrofits (Usually) Greener Than New Construction, Study Says
January 24, 2012News Analysis
Building reuse has environmental benefits over new construction, but there are important exceptions and caveats.
