RESEARCH GUIDE: SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS, PRODUCTS & FURNISHINGS
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In the Library
Cradle to Cradle : Remaking the Way We Make Things
by William McDonough
Going beyond the “cradle to grave” mindset, McDonough insists that we consider the “cradle to cradle” lifecycle: how a product is created, used, and then recycled into something new
The Next Industrial Revolution : William McDonough, Michael Braungart and the Birth of the Sustainable Economy (DVD)
This film tells the story of the “cradle to cradle” movement and showcases businesses that have adopted its principles
Sustainable Building Systems and Construction for Designers
by Lisa M. Tucker
Considers building systems and construction methods and materials from a sustainable perspective, with case studies
Online
Green Building Standards and Certification Systems | Whole Building Design Guide
Find explanations of different types of U.S. and international green building standards, green product certifications, and green building rating and certification systems, with links to relevant codes, standards and organizations
Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) | Whole Building Design Guide
Reviews the factors that affect IEQ and design strategies for improving it, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
An Introduction to IAQ | Indoor Air | US Environmental Protection Agency
Information from the EPA about the causes and effects of indoor air pollution, as well as sections dedicated to information about indoor air quality in homes, in schools, and in large buildings
Product and Building Materials Red List | Green Building Alliance
Provides a list of chemicals and materials known to harm human health, and provides alternatives to those materials
In the Library
Environmental Building News
Covers the latest products, materials, methods, and regulations for sustainable construction, with diagrams and illustrations throughout
Journal of Green Building
Features case studies, research articles, and the latest news about sustainable methods and materials
Online
BuildingGreen
Provides information about and detailed guides to green building policy, the design and construction process, location and site, water management, energy efficiency, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality
Environmental Health Perspectives
Provides free peer-reviewed articles covering research and news related to the interrelationships between the environment (both natural and built) and human health
There are many factors to consider when evaluating products. The following resources will help guide you through the process and avoid greenwashing. Another smart strategy is to choose materials and products that have been independently verified to meet certain sustainability requirements.
What is greenwashing?
TerraChoice President Scott McDougall explains the term “greenwashing”
In the Library
Green Building Materials : A Guide to Product Selection and Specification
by Ross Spiegel and Dru Meadows
Covers labels, standards, certifications, selection and specification of materials
Interior Design Materials and Specifications
by Lisa Godsey
Examines the use of paints, wall and floor coverings, textiles, wood, plastic, glass, metals, tile, brick, stone, concrete, laminates, and other materials in interior design, with information about how to evaluate, select and specify materials to meet code, sustainability, human comfort, and cost requirements
Materials and Components of Interior Architecture
by J. Rosemary Riggs
Examines the products and materials used for walls, floors, ceilings, and cabinets, with special attention to environmental concerns, kitchens and bathrooms
Sustainable Design for Interior Environments
by Susan M. Winchip
Covers all aspects of sustainable design for commercial and residential interiors, including building materials, finishes and furnishings
Sustainable Materials, Processes and Production
by Rob Thompson and Martin Thompson
Explains the environmental impact of a variety of materials, manufacturing processes, and product lifecycles, and provides guidance on how to select products and materials for sustainable projects
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
by Julian M. Allwood and Jonathan M. Cullen
Advocates changes throughout the lifecycle of materials to use less energy, use less material, recycle more material, generate less waste, and selecting more sustainable materials
Online
Evaluating and Selecting Green Products | Whole Building Design Guide
Describes the process of and tools for selecting green building materials and products, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
The Seven Sins | The Sins of Greenwashing: Home and Family Edition
Learn about the Seven Sins of Greenwashing, including hidden trade-offs, no proof, vagueness, false labels, irrelevance, lesser of two evils, and fibbing
Energy Efficient Lighting | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains different types of energy efficient light fixtures and how to incorporate them into building design, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
The International EPD System: Environmental Product Declarations
EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) detail the life-cycle environmental impact of a product in a standard way that allows you to compare the eco-friendliness of products and materials. Search their database to find products and materials that have EPDs.
How to Read an EPD: 7 Tips from the Field (Video) | BuildingGreen
In this 8-minute video, Arup engineer Frances Yang explains how to get what you need from environmental product declarations (EPDs).
Health Product Declaration Collaborative
HPDs (Health Product Declarations) detail the material contents and potential health hazards of building products in a standard way that allows you to compare the eco-friendliness of products and materials. The HPD Collaborative provides the standard format and instructions to companies; each individual vendor is responsible for completing and publishing HPDs for their products. Search their database to find products and materials that have HPDs.
Materials & Resources | BuildingGreen
Choosing building materials means balancing impacts from manufacturing with transportation and end-of-life considerations, as well as durability and performance.
Pilkington Calculators
Provides online tools can help you choose the best glass products for your project, including a Sun Management Calculator and a Thermal Stress Calculator
Sustainable Furniture Specification Guide
Details items to consider when selecting furniture, including VOC levels, recycled or salvaged content, recyclability, supply chain and manufacturing process, certifications and ratings, cost, and more
Windows and Glazing | Whole Building Design Guide
Discusses energy-efficient design strategies for windows and glazing, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
In the Library
Eco Design : The Sourcebook
by Alastair Fuad-Luke
Showcases hundreds of recycled, recyclable, renewable, and energy-efficient products
Interior Design Magazine
New products are featured throughout each issue, and Spring and Fall Market Tabloids focus exclusively on products and materials for interiors
Interiors & Sources
Focuses on commercial products, materials and projects
Snap : Sweets News and Products
Focuses on products and building materials for commercial and residential projects
Online
ASID Interior Design Product Finder
Features products for commercial and residential projects, with the option to search vendors by location
Certified Green Products Guide | SCS Global Services
Search for products and materials that have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) or a FloorScore, Indoor Advantage, BIFMA’s level, or Green Squared certification
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute : Find Certified Products
Search for products and materials that are Cradle to Cradle Certified
Energy Star Certified Products
Search for products and appliances that are Energy Star Certified, including products for both commercial and residential applications
EPD Search | Environmental Product Declarations
Search the EPD database to find products and materials that have Environmental Product Declarations
High Performance Products Database (Beta) | CHPS.net - Collaborative for High Performance Schools
Features green products for schools
HPD Public Repository | HPD Collaborative
Search the HPD database to find products and materials that have Health Product Declarations
Products | EcoBuilding Pulse Magazine
Features green products and materials for commercial and residential projects
Quartz
Provides information about composition, health hazards and environmental impacts for over 100 common building materials
SFC | Sustainable Furnishings Council
Find residential furnishings from companies that have committed to improving the sustainability of their products, practices and operations
UL SPOT: The Source for Product Sustainability Information
Includes products certified by UL to meet one or more standard for sustainability, including LEED, GREENGUARD, VOC emissions, water efficiency, recycled content, Environmental Product Declarations, and more
WaterSense Labeled Products | US EPA
Search for products with the WaterSense label
There are a variety of labeling and certification options for sustainable materials, products, furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
See More:
- Library Materials About Sustainable Materials, Products & Furnishings
- Websites About Sustainable Materials, Products & Furnishings
- Research Guide: Sustainable Product Labels & Certifications
- Research Guide: Presentations
- Research Guide: Products & Materials
- Tutorials on Citing Sources, Finding Articles Online, and More
Back to Sustainability Research Hub
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