Building with Vision — Best Practices

Summary of Product Standards for GreenSpec

Building Green, based in Brattleboro, Vermont, keeps up to date with developments in the green building industry as earnestly as any organization in the country. Their resources and publications, thoroughly and rigorously researched, are a must for any green building library — including their monthly Environmental Building News newsletter and annual GreenSpec product resource guide. Below is a summary of the standards they use in choosing products for the GreenSpec. Contact Building Green (www.buildinggreen.com) for more information.

Products made from environmentally attractive materials
• Salvaged products
• Products with post-consumer content
• Products with post-industrial content
• Certified wood products
• Rapidly renewable products
• Products made from agricultural waste material
• Natural or minimally processed products

Products that are green because of what isn’t there
• Products that reduce material use
• Alternatives to ozone-depleting substances
• Alternatives to products made from PVC and polycarbonate
• Alternatives to conventional preservative-treated wood
• Alternatives to other components considered hazardous

Products that reduce environmental impacts during construction, renovation, or demolition
• Products that reduce the impacts of new construction
• Products that reduce the impacts of renovation
• Products that reduce the impacts of demolition

Products that reduce environmental impacts of building operation
• Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads
• Equipment that conserves energy
• Renewable energy and fuel cell equipment
• Fixtures and equipment that conserve water

Products with exceptional durability or low maintenance requirements
• Products that prevent pollution or reduce waste
• Products that reduce or eliminate pesticide treatments

Products that contribute to a safe, healthy, indoor environment
• Products that don’t release significant pollutants into the building
• Products that block development and spread of indoor contaminants