Choosing Green Materials
Maggie Leslie, Program Director WNCGBC

There are so many products and companies out there that claim to be green it makes it very difficult to tell what products really are green and which are not.  The truth is, there aren't many products that are completely sustainable.  Instead, we have to base our decisions off of a list of criteria.  The Environmental Building News and its Greenspec® product directory breaks products down into a few basic categories: products made with salvaged, recycled or agricultural waste; products that conserve natural resources; products that avoid toxic or other emissions; products that save energy or water; and products that contribute to a safe, healthy built environment.  I added a few extra criteria that I think are also important to consider- locally manufactured products, fair trade, carbon neutral and minimally packaged.  A great way to asses the true impact of a product is if a life cycle assessment has been done.  Such an assessment considers the product from resource extraction, through production, use and disposal. According to Greenspec (p vii), a lifecycle assessment is “the science of the examining the environmental and healthy impacts of products…A green product is one whose life cycle impacts are low”.

Products Made with Salvaged, Recycled or Agricultural waste
This category comes first, because it is always better to reuse and recycle products before creating new ones (especially if they are local).  Considering that buildings create 136 million tons of construction and demolition waste in the U.S (approximately 2.8lbs per person, daily), efforts to reuse and recycle has a huge impact on reducing what ends up in the landfill. Salvaged flooring, for example, is beautiful plus adds character to a home that new materials cannot. Some products can reduce the need for other products- for example, concrete floors can be stained to look very attractive and there is no need for an additional layer of material. Next, look for recycled content materials. Post consumer recycled content usually means that it is being diverted from a landfill, while pre-consumer usually means “post industrial”.  Recycled products can have down sides, they may have taken a lot of energy to recycle or have potential indoor air quality concerns depending on the product.

Products that conserve natural resources
Products made from rapidly renewable materials are the next best options. These materials can be harvested and then renew themselves quickly, unlike hardwoods which can take 100s of years to return, if ever.  Cork and bamboo floorings are examples of products made from rapidly renewable resources.  Both have to be shipped from across the world though- but that is for consideration another category all together. Some lumber has been third party certified to have been harvested sustainably.  You will definitely pay a premium for certified lumber but you can rest assured that the trees in your home were replaced and managed very carefully.

Durable products are also in this category.  If you build the greenest home in America and then it rots from moisture problems and the materials are sent to the landfill, we are no better off.  This is why some people even consider vinyl siding to be a green product. It is toxic with a high embodied energy (energy intensive to manufacture) and may never biodegrade, but it is very durable and low maintenance. Vinyl siding is an extreme example of the challenge to define sustainability and green materials.

Products that avoid toxic or other emissions
Natural and minimally-processed materials on the other hand, have a much lower embodied energy.  They may not be as durable (though many are) but depending on the product; they tend to have much better life cycle assessment.  Additionally, minimally processed materials typically have less chemical additives that can have a huge impact on human and environmental health.  Formaldehyde is common in many engineered products (which are stronger and use fewer resources) because it acts as a binding agent.  There are increasing efforts to replace formaldehyde with less toxic binding agents.    Cabinet grade formaldehyde-free plywood, for instance, is also manufactured locally in Old Fort.

Products that save energy or water
Some products are considered green not because of their raw materials, but because once you install them they reduce the environmental footprint of the home.  This includes materials such as low flow fixtures that save water, insulation or light bulbs that reduces the energy needs of the home.  Once you have reduced the overall energy and water needs of the home, consider renewable energy equipment that actually produces energy, such as photovoltaic panels.

Products that contribute to a safe, healthy indoor environment
This category includes products that are non-toxic to produce and won't off gas harmful pollutants once they are in the home.  Often these products are less toxic to manufacture as well, but not necessarily. Low-VOC products are widely available now for paints, finishes and adhesives.  Plus there are natural and locally manufactured products available.  Filtration products that can reduce indoor air pollution are also in this category.

Fair Trade, Fair Wage, Carbon Neutral and Local
This category may come last, but it is certainly not least.  Many green materials only fulfill the environmental tenant of the definition of sustainability, but true sustainability addresses social and economic sustainability as well.  Purchasing products that are produced by companies that pay workers a fair wage, and/or that support our local economy means growing a sustainable economy and a sustainable community.  Plus, if it is local we are cutting our carbon footprint by reducing the transportation impacts.

Currently we can't buy everything locally, but you can still choose products that are making positive impact somewhere, like developing sustainable economies or creating social equity in other countries. Many companies are now purchasing Carbon Offsets or Renewable Energy Credits, claiming that their products are produced with 100% renewable energy.  This is a great step, but make sure their claims are legitimate and that they are working to minimize their impact, as well as offset it.

For more information on choosing green building products, contact the WNC Green Building Council.  Call the hotline at 828-254-1995, email info@wncgbc.org or visit our online resources at www.wncgbc.org