Green Building
Constructing
and operating buildings requires energy, water, and materials and creates
significant amounts of waste. Where and how they are built affects
the ecosystems around us in countless ways. And the buildings themselves
create new indoor environments that present new environmental problems
and challenges.
As the environmental
impact of buildings becomes more apparent, a new field called green
building is arising to reduce that impact at the source. Green
or sustainable building is the practice of creating healthier and more
resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance,
and demolition. This section of the compliance center will provide
links to green building activities and related documents covering various
topics, such as:
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Energy: Designing
and operating buildings to use energy efficiently and to use renewable
sources of energy, including solar, wind, and biomass.
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Water: Designing
and operating buildings to use water efficiently.
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Materials: Using
building materials that, in comparison to competing brands, have
a reduced effect on the environment throughout their life cycle
(e.g. recycled content, low toxicity, energy efficiency, biodegradability,
and/or durability).
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Waste: Reducing
the waste from construction, remodeling, and demolition.
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Indoor
Environment: Designing
and operating buildings that are healthy for their occupants.
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