We Help New York City’s Buildings Go Green.

GREEN MATERIALSA Primer on Green Materials in Sustainable

Building Development.

IIntroduction

QofPQuality of Product

AQAir Quality

EEthics

“It’s time for designs that are creative, abundant, prosperous, and intelligent from the start.”

William McDonough

REResource Efficiency

E2

Energy Efficiency

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INTRODUCTION

DEFINITION

DESIGN and PRACTICE

Green building materials reduce the overall environmental impact of construction.

The use of green materials and products is an important strategy in dealing with resource management, energy efficiency, air quality, and environmental impact in sustainable building projects.

Specific benefits of green materials to building owners, occupants, and the environment:

1. Energy conservation2. Improved occupant health and productivity3. Greater design flexibility4. Reduced maintenance/replacement costs over life of

building.5. Promotes conservation of dwindling nonrenewable

resources6. Reduces environmental impacts of material extraction,

production, installation, and disposal.

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INTRODUCTION

DEFINITION

DESIGN and PRACTICE

You might be thinking, “What’s the catch? What am I sacrificing by adopting green materials in my home?”

We answer, “There is no catch!”

First and foremost, green materials are thoughtfully designed products for sustainable building design, construction, and operation. They do not sacrifice product or aesthetic quality.

Our goal is to make you knowledgeable of green materials so you can apply them successfully to your sustainable building project.

This presentation outlines important product qualities to look for in the greening of your home.

TORENBrooklyn, New York

SOM Architects

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RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RECYCLED CONTENT

RENEWABLE/BIODEGRADABLE

CONTENT

CONSTRUCTION

END OF LIFE

Green materials use resources efficiently to reduce the manufacturing costs, waste, and environmental impact of construction .

Every product we use on a day to day basis is produced using a finite supply of natural resources.

The use of green materials ensures that natural resources are produced, processed, and consumed in a more environmentally sustainable way.

Resource efficiency aims to reduce the demandfor and costs of depleting water, energy, and material resources.

Efficiency is not necessarily conservation.Conservation means simply using less, while efficiency means using less without sacrificinga specific level of service.

Green materials with recycled contents increase resource efficiency using postindustrial and postconsumer content.

Post-consumer recycled materials have served their intended use and have been reprocessed, while post-industrial recycled materials are derived from manufacturing waste and sub-standard products.

Using materials with recycled content helps conserve primary material resources, reduce pollution, and remove energy costs of primary materials’ extraction and processing.

Look for materials with a high percentage of recycled content. The higher recycled-content building materials are priced competitively - including them in place of conventional materials is often a simple substitution.

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RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RECYCLED CONTENT

RENEWABLE/BIODEGRADABLE

CONTENT

CONSTRUCTION

END OF LIFE

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RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RECYCLED CONTENT

RENEWABLE/BIODEGRADABLE

CONTENT

CONSTRUCTION

END OF LIFE

A natural resource is renewable if it is replaced by natural processes at a rate comparable or faster than its rate of consumption by humans.

Green materials are made of renewable, rather than non-renewable, resources. The use of materials with high renewable content reduces the use and depletion of finite raw materials.

'Biodegradable' simply means that a product will break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass within a reasonable amount of time in the natural environment.

Biodegradability is a desirable feature in products such as cleaning agents. Conventional cleaning agents will often release harmful phosphates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as they break down, but biodegradable versions will not.

Look for materials that are biodegradable and/or are made of renewable resources. These materials are often self-identified as such

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RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RECYCLED CONTENT

RENEWABLE/BIODEGRADABLE

CONTENT

CONSTRUCTION

END OF LIFE

Green materials must implemented correctly in construction to be effective.

Construction and demolition materials account for a high percentage of the waste stream. Many of these Materials can be reused or recycled, thus preserving our natural resource supply and reducing construction and demolition costs.

Therefore, the recycling of green materialsoften requires deconstruction practices rather than demolition. During deconstruction, wood, concrete, and drywall can be reused or recycled.

Construction Waste Estimates from Oikois’ website -

http://oikos.com/library/waste/types.html

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RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

RECYCLED CONTENT

RENEWABLE/BIODEGRADABLE

CONTENT

CONSTRUCTION

END OF LIFE

Recycled Content vs. Recyclability:

There is an important distinction between a product’s recycled content and its recyclability. While green materials are produced with a high reusable/recyclable content, the product’s environmental and economic impact at the end of its life is equally important. Green materials can be easily dismantled and reused or recycled at the end of their useful life.

Architect William McDonough, founder of the Cradle to Cradle product certification, proposes that designers think as much about what happens at the end of a product’s life cycle as they do about its beginning.

With the creation of a closed-loop system of recycling materials (from producers to consumers back to producers OR through nature’s cycles of growth, decay, and rebirth) green materials enable sustainable economic growth.

QUALITY OF PRODUCT

QUALITY OF PRODUCT

AFFORDABILITY

VERSATILITY

When building with green materials, you are NOT sacrificing product quality.

Most green materials are competitive with standard materials in aesthetic value and durability. Green materials are market competitive – they HAVE to be. In fact, green materials should not be viewed as distinct from standard materials. Green materials are standard materials with necessary environmental considerations.

Additionally, green materials are highly durable and require little maintenance. Green materials that can be cleaned with water based solvents are preferable to materials that require chemically-intensive cleaners.

Look for materials that are durable, yet require little maintenance. They can be better for the environment and for your pocket.

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QUALITY OF PRODUCT

QUALITY OF PRODUCT

AFFORDABILITY

VERSATILITY

The affordability of green materials are directly recognized in lifetime economic costs and indirectly realized in more humanistic terms.

Economic valueGreen materials are of a quality worth paying for. They have huge potential for lifetime savings, for green building materials have lower lifetime costs than standard materials.

Humanistic valueImproved air quality, greater thermal control, and other environmental quality strategies improve overall

occupant satisfaction. Improved satisfaction leads to improved productivity and morale.

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QUALITY OF PRODUCT

QUALITY OF PRODUCT

AFFORDABILITY

VERSATILITY

Many green materials can be implemented in a variety of ways.

The versatility of green materials reduces waste and promotes material reuse and recycling.

Materials that are versatile in their application (and reapplication) are often marketed as such. Adaptive materials are green materials. Their versatility is due to their simple chemical make-up, maintaining the purity of the natural resources that produced them.

Be open minded in the application of materials, and seek out materials that sustain the natural condition of our earth’s resources.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

PRODUCTION

INSTALLATION

USE

LOCATION

Green building materials are used to reduce overall embodied energy of a product.

The embodied energy of a product is the commercial energy used to make the product, bring it to the market, and dispose of it.

The energy-saving characteristic of green materials is derived from one or more of the following processes:

1. Production

2. Installation

3. Use

Additionally, buildings should be seen not only as energy consumers, but also as energy producers. Truly green materials nourish and restore living systems.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

PRODUCTION

INSTALLATION

USE

LOCATION

Green materials are produced using energy efficient methods.

Companies that manufacture materials aim to reduce their products’ embodied energies in order to lessen their carbon footprint and decrease harmful emissions.

By decreasing their carbon footprint, companies lessen their impact on human-induced climate change.

Companies should also minimize or eradicate harmful emissions during the production process. Green materials materials are often naturally or minimally processed, using non hazardous production materials.

Your job is to be an educated consumer. By doing a simple background check on a company, you will be able to distinguish the more environmentally conscious companies.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

PRODUCTION

INSTALLATION

USE

LOCATION

The complex systems in your home , including heating systems and kitchen appliances, are huge energy consumers. Ensure that these systems are installed in a environmentally friendly way.

For example, proper installation of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is necessary for equipment efficiency.

Improved installation practices not only significantly increase system efficiency, they also increase occupant health and safety, reduce maintenance costs, and increase equipment life.

Although it is difficult to be an expert on the matter, be aware of the importance of proper equipment installation. Be sure to hire knowledgeable help, have thorough oversight, and follow proper procedures.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

PRODUCTION

INSTALLATION

USE

LOCATION

Green materials are highly effective energy savers during the lifetime of the product.

For example, some green products and systems help reduce water consumption in buildings and conserve water in landscaped areas. For example, dual plumbing systems use recycled water for toilet flushing.

Green buildings contribute to a healthy built environment, which contributes to human productivity and efficiency (See Air Quality Section).

The user has a role in the responsible maintenance of green materials. These materials are only effective if treated properly. Be aware of the maintenance and care your materials require.

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Look for materials that are resourced and extracted locally.

Using local materials reduces the economic and environmental costs of transportation.

Local building materials establish a beautiful connection between

architecture and place –

Be sure to know where a given product is coming from.

LOCAL - Think within a 500 mile radius

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

PRODUCTION

INSTALLATION

USE

LOCATION

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AIR QUALITY

AIR QUALITY

LOW-VOC

MOISTURE

Clean air in your home protects the health and well-being of you and your family. Look for materials that preserve air quality.

Green materials are low or non-toxic in that they emit few or no carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, or irritants.

Many everyday cleaning products, such as bleach and ammonia-based cleaners, contain toxic chemicals.

Also be aware of more tangible products. Even household furnishings may be harmful, as many synthetic fibers contain toxicities. Many cosmetics and personal care products also contain hazardous chemicals.

Using environmentally friendly products and materials is crucial to maintaining high indoor air quality. QP

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AIR QUALITY

AIR QUALITY

LOW-VOC

MOISTURE

In shopping for green materials, you will find often find the acronym low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Many consumer products emit VOCs, especially new furnishings, wall coverings, and office-type equipment such as photocopy machines. These products are formulated with VOCs to improve performance and durability.

Look for low and no-VOC materials. The odors produced by many materials (including the new car smell and the smell of fresh paint) are very harmful to your health. Due to developments in manufacturing and production, no-VOC materials are odorless and are of high quality and durability.QP

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AIR QUALITY

AIR QUALITY

LOW-VOC

MOISTURE

Moisture resistant products defend against rotting and mold problems that devalue our homes and cause health issues.

For example, paperless drywall features fiberglass mats on both the front and the back of the drywall panel and does not absorb moisture as traditional paper-faced drywall does.

Using moisture resistant products, like paperless drywall, in conjunction with proper installation techniques helps protect the air quality of your home.

Seeking out moisture-resistant materials is an important step in ensuring the indoor air quality of your home. Moisture-resistant materials are often marked as such.

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ETHICS

CULTURE

LIVING BUILDINGS

ETHICS

SOLUTION

This presentation examines green materials in isolation, showing you what makes certain products green. It does not, however, show you how to use green materials to create a green building.

Virtually all of these green materials could be used in an environmentally and economically fruitless way. It is the effective and well thought out implementation of green materials that makes the use of green materials worthwhile.

It is also important to recognize that the most valuable green materials implement and utilize many of the topic categories previously addressed.

The idea of implementing green materials in building design is the first step in creating the future concept of a “living building.”QP

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ETHICS

CULTURE

LIVING BUILDINGS

ETHICS

SOLUTION

The future of architecture is the future of living buildings.

Living buildings will operate from simple principles.

1. Harvest all energy and water needs locally2. Be adapted to site and climate3. Generate only useful and recyclable waste4. Promote health of the inhabitants5. Maximize efficiency and comfort6. Improve local ecosystem

Once again, it is the effective and well thought out implementation of green materials that makes the use of green materials worthwhile.

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ETHICS

CULTURE

LIVING BUILDINGS

ETHICS

SOLUTION

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Corporations that adopt the green material qualities addressed in this presentation see sustainability as a business imperative.

These pioneers of sustainable business practices recognize significant economic and environmental benefits. As a result – ‘going green’ is becoming a necessary business strategy.

As consumers, our role is to support businesses that uphold green practices. Companies will then have to adopt green practices to stay market competitive!

ETHICS

CULTURE

LIVING BUILDINGS

ETHICS

SOLUTION

So let us be a part of the solution!

While minimal sacrifices must be made in the application of green materials, the ultimate reward of having a healthful, sustainable, and profitable home is an economically and environmentally worthwhile choice.

Please take a look at our green materials library. You can find the link and an example material on the following slide.

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MATERIALS LIST

Ethics –Company promotes sustainable practices in Puget Sound community.

Resource Efficiency –Some recycled content.

Quality of Product –Richlite is green without sacrificing quality of function or form.

Energy Efficiency –Reduced waste means less energy wasted in disposal.

Air Quality –No off-gassing.