The Harris Directory: Recycled Content Building Materials

New Product Directory Available on Diskette

from The Stafford Architects, 1916 Pike Place #705, Seattle, WA 98101-1056; 206/682-4042, 206/447-1670 (fax). Runs on common spreadsheet or database software on Mac or DOS-based PCs. $45, $69 with semi-annual update. Multi-user licenses slightly higher.

There’s a lot of information on this little disk. If you’re comfortable with standard database or spreadsheet software operations, this is a great way to find out about green building products. And it saves all the paper used for printed versions (unless you choose to print it out yourself).

The Harris Directory includes 650 listings, containing 1500 individual building products, all of them made with recycled materials. BJ Harris of The Stafford Architects has done a great job checking her information and verifying both post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content, product names, and manufacturers. The whole list is indexed by CSI format, though it can be sorted and searched by many different categories including geography and recycled content.

The Harris Directory works well in part because Harris has limited its scope to materials with recycled content rather than trying to encompass all materials with environmental advantages. As a result, she has been able to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date. Although the directory does not claim to be complete, it has impressive listings in most areas, and with future updates it should become quite comprehensive. For example, the directory includes 64 cellulose manufacturers, 44 makers of recycled plastic lumber, and 16 suppliers of fly-ash for use in concrete.

As for potential drawbacks, we noted only that the directory lacks any pricing information, and that some typos have slipped in, especially in addresses. Some large companies are missing because they refused to verify the recycled-content information, according to Harris. She hopes to get them in line for future updates. Because the database is intended to be used nationally (and includes many Canadian manufacturers as well), no local or regional supplier information is provided. There are, however, editable notes fields where you can type in additional information as you research these products.

Harris is already preparing about 300 new listings for the first update, due to appear in the fall. For anyone actively specifying recycled-content building materials, this directory is a must-have.