GreenSpec Criteria
|
Made of Recycled or Salvaged Content
Salvaged material Post-consumer recycled material Post-industrial recycled material Agricultural waste material Preserve Natural Resources Avoid Toxic or Other Emissions Reduce the Impact of Construction Save Energy or Water Promote Healthy
|
The list includes residential and commercial products with environmental attributes ranging from recycled content and bio-based materials to water conservation and durability. Most were introduced during 2003, but some have been around for a while. One, Keim mineral silicate paint, has been on the market for more than 100 years. All were added to GreenSpec during the past year.
To determine worthiness of inclusion in GreenSpec, our editors review products based on rigorous criteria (detailed at right) developed during the past 12 years. They include the product’s raw materials, the environmental safety of the manufacturing process, the product’s durability and maintenance requirements, its impact on energy and water consumption, and its impact on human health.
The 2003 winners most applicable to home building are described below. See the bottom of this article for the full list.
Alex Wilson is the founder and executive editor of Environmental Building News and co-editor of GreenSpec. For information on these resources, visit www.buildinggreen.com or call 800/861-0954.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
BuildingGreen's Top 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The editors of Environmental Building News selected the 1,750-plus products listed in GreenSpec. Manufacturers do not pay to be listed, and neither GreenSpec nor Environmental Building News carries advertising. This ensures that products receive objective reviews. The fourth print edition of GreenSpec has just been published. The online version, available as part of the new BuildingGreen Suite, has several additional features, including information on green attributes and advanced features for finding products. |