Reduced Life-Cycle Impacts
Is wood a sustainable material? It depends: a table made from reclaimed wood has a much smaller environmental footprint than one sourced from a monoculture plantation that replaced a rainforest.
Defining responsible material sourcing—and then finding responsibly sourced products—is complicated. Here you will find in-depth resources that detail the benefits and challenges of using biobased materials, reclaimed wood, fly ash, and other materials. Our resources also detail which companies and industries are ahead of the curve in offering responsible choices.
What about the materials you don’t use? Using less is always a good idea—as long as that doesn’t compromise performance.
Doing more with less takes knowledge and attention: it’s about investing in human resources instead of wasting natural resources. And since our small planet has more humans every day, we’re not likely to run out of them anytime soon. Durability, efficient structural systems, and repairing and retrofitting rather than replacing are all key strategies to consider.
Reduced Life-Cycle Impacts
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Bamboo in Construction: Is the Grass Always Greener?
Feature Article
An increasingly popular building material, bamboo is celebrated for its quick growth and ability to regenerate after being harvested. But bamboo also has its downsides. In this feature article, EBN examines the pros and cons of building with bamboo.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Laminate Flooring: Worth a Second Look?
Product Review
Laminate flooring offers recycled content and low emissions in an economical, low-maintenance product that has overcome aesthetic and performance challenges.
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Kinetex: Just Don't Call It a Carpet Tile
Product Review
Kinetex is a hybrid: thinner and more durable than carpet tile, this "textile composite flooring" is suited for hard-surface tile applications.
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CAFboard Compressed-Straw Panel Is Back
Product Review
Using American-made waste straw for wallboard, insulation, and acoustic applications, Stramit USA has brought back CAFboard.
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Porous Plus: Eco-Tek Pavers Include Regional Slag
Product Review
Eco-Tek porous pavers offer recycled and regional content in addition to stormwater management.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Waiting for Take-Back Programs for Building Materials
News Analysis
LEED now gives credit for products with extended producer responsibility, or EPR programs, but so far these rarely extend beyond batteries and carpet.
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NSF Certification Verifies Sustainability of Stone
News Brief
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FSC to Use Forensics to Uncover Criminal Forestry Practices
News Brief
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Campaign Calls Wood Pellets 'Environmental Disaster'
News Analysis
NRDC warns that Europe's appetite for wood pellets threatens America's Southeastern forests.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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