What is a Green Product?

 

What makes a product Green?  Multiple criteria often apply- for example a product may be considered green for more than one reason:

The website http://www.buildinggreen.com publishes Environmental Building News and Green Specs Directory that lists product descriptions for over 2100 environmentally preferable products and is assembled according to the following criteria:

i.                     Products made with salvaged recycled or agricultural waste content

·         Salvaged materials

·         Post -Consumer  materials

·         Pre –Consumer materials

ii.                    Products that conserve Natural resources

·         Products that reduce materials use

·         Certified Wood Products

·         Rapidly renewable products

·         Products that have exceptional durability or low maintenance requirements

iii.                  Products that avoid toxic or other emissions

·         Natural or Minimally processed products

·         Alternatives to ozone-depleting substances

·         Alternatives to hazardous products

·         Products that reduce or eliminate pesticide  treatments

·         Products that reduce storm water pollution

·         Products that reduce impacts from construction or demolition activities

iv.                  Products that save energy or water

·         Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads

·         Equipment that conserves energy and manages loads

·         Renewable energy and fuel cell equipment

·         Fixtures and equipment that conserve water

v.                    Products that contribute to a safe, healthy built environment

·         Products that do not release significant pollutants into the building

·         Products that block the introduction, development or spread of indoor contaminants

·         Products that remove indoor pollutants

·         Products that warn occupants or health hazards in the building

·         Products that improve light quality

·         Products that help control noise

·         Products that enhance community well -being