Clarification of LEED Position on PVC

In a December 19, 2001 letter to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Affairs, the U.S. Green Building Council clarified that the lack of any LEED credits for the exclusion of vinyl flooring should not “be taken as reliable evidence that PVC is considered environmentally benign.” The letter was signed by Christine Ervin, President and CEO of the Council, and Malcolm Lewis, Chair of the Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee that is studying the PVC issue. The issue arose as New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs considers adoption of a generous, $7,000-per-unit subsidy program in support of green affordable housing. Industry groups have objections to several provisions in the guidelines for that program, including recommendations to consider avoiding PVC.