Sustainable Design
From GLGI
Contents |
A Sustainable Standard of Living
Sustainable Product Evaluation Questions
- 1. Is it an environmentally preferable product? Think salvaged, recycled, renewable, or agriculture waste.
- 2. Does it reduce risks to human health or the environment?
- 3. Does it reduce fossil fuel or water consumption?
- 4. When you're done with the product can it be reused, recycled or composted rather than landfill or incinerated?
Energy Efficiency Organizations
- Cool Roof Rating Councill verifies and publishes data about cool roof products.
- Energy Guide provides estimated yearly operating cost and compares energy usage with similar models.
- Energy Star promotes energy efficiency in over 40 product categories. Most products use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard products.
- NFRC Label a testing and labeling program for windows, glass doors, and skylights.
- Sustainable Products Corp. conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for products. LCAs are required by U.S. and international law to support any "green", "environmentally preferable", or "sustainable" product communication. Such communications substantially increase product value, profits, sales, and market share.
- National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is the national trade association representing the biodiesel industry as the coordinating body for research and development in the United States.
Good Wood
- Forest Stewardship Council sets voluntary international standards for responsible forest management.
- Rediscover Wood certification is awarded to forest-products operations that use reclaimed, or salvaged wood.
Better indoor Air Quality
- Greenguard voluntarily tests and certifies products that emit low or zero levels of potential harmful chemicals oriented toward commercial interiors.
- Green Label Plus Carpet and rug products that have been tested and verified to meet California's high performance schools' stringent criteria for low-emmiting products.
- Green Seal certifies environmental performance in a variety of product categories.
Environmentally Perferable Products
- Scientific Certification Systems is for manufacturers seeking to gain consumers confidence they pay SCS to certify their claims for recycled or recovered content, biodegradability, etc.
- Cradle to Cradle Cerification is provided by the consulting firm of MBDC that has a rating program based on the principles discussed in William McDonough Cradle to Cradle book.
Whole House Design
- LEED for Homes is currently in its pilot phase for homes. It expands on the U.S. Green Building Council's Green Rating System for commercial buildings. Look for new homes with the LEED rating beginning in 2007.
- Detroit Regional Green-Home Rating Programs is a regional LEED organization that cerify eco-friendly home remodeling and construction.
Green Ways and Means
- BioBag dog waste bagspoop picker-upper bags made from cornstarch and vegetable oil - the bags are pigmented black.
- Carpet sweeper Quick, quiet, and human-power old fashioned carpet sweeper without using a watt.
- Cast-iron cookware Grandma's old cast-iron never looked so good
- Ceiling Fans Energy Star - qualified fans
- Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds An all purpose household cleaner made of plant-based surfactants, with no synthetic dyes or fragrances. It cleans any surface that can safely come into contact with water.
- Dual-Flush Toilet models let you choose a short or longer flush cycle. Other manufacturers include Caroma and TOTO.
- American Clay Earth Plasters a healthy alternative to paints.
- Calculate ecological foot-print Find out the number of acres of productive land needed to support your lifestyle.
