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Learn & Plan Topics

U.S. Waste and Recycling

The U.S. generated approximately 254 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2007. Excluding composting, the amount of MSW recycled increased to 63.3 million tons, an increase of 1.9 million tons from 2006. This is a 3 percent increase in the tons recycled. Source: US EPA, Municipal Solid Waste in the United States. 2007 Fact and Figures.
What is Sustainability

Sustainability is best thought of as a process, rather than a thing. US Executive Order 13423 states that sustainability “means to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations.” In order to achieve such conditions, new ways of designing, constructing and operating buildings and facilities must be identified.
Planning to Build Green

Sustainability "means to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations." Executive Order 13514
Comfort

Comfortable workers are more likely to be productive and engaged with their work than those who struggle to work in spaces that create barriers and stresses. With ever increasing needs to be mindful of the environment when designing spaces, GSA is developing practices that support both sustainability and worker comfort.
Conducting LCA

The US Department of Energy has developed an LCA report to help evaluate the energy and environmental benefits of LEDs when compared to incandescent and fluorescent lighting. This analysis follows the four steps outlined above. When using LCA to compare equipment, it is important to establish a common unit of performance by which each will be judged.
LCA Example: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

The US EPA has developed a guide about conducting LCA. The LCA process is a systematic, phased approach and consists of four components: goal definition and scoping, inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation.
Time Indoors

People in the U.S. spend about 90% of their time indoors. Source: Environmental Protection Agency (1987). The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study.
Energy Consumption of Buildings

Buildings are one of the heaviest consumers of natural resources and account for a significant portion of the greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate change. In the U.S., buildings account for 38% of all CO2 emissions. Source:Energy Information Administration (2008). Assumptions to the Annual Energy Outlook.
Total Exposure

People in the U.S. spend about 90% of their time indoors. Source: Environmental Protection Agency (1987). The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study.
Energy Use of Buildings

Buildings represent 38.9% of U.S. primary energy use (includes fuel input for production). Source: Environmental Information Administration (2008). EIA Annual Energy Outlook.
Water Consumption

Between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population nearly doubled. However, in that same period, public demand for water more than tripled. Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water each day—enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses. Source: EPA WaterSense, Why Water Efficiency?
Buildings Water Use

Buildings use 13.6% of all potable water, or 15 trillion gallons per year. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (2000). 2000 data.
Buildings Impact

Buildings are one of the heaviest consumers of natural resources and account for a significant portion of the greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate change. In the U.S., buildings account for 38% of all CO2 emissions. Source: Energy Information Administration (2008). Assumptions to the Annual Energy Outlook.
Building Systems Upgrades

The following are Sustainable Strategies to consider as your space undergoes a building system upgrade to improve energy, water use and occupant comfort. Refer to the Share Section for a representative project Case Study to discover key practices, benefits, results and checklists.
Sense of Place

What makes a workplace special? What fosters a sense of attachment, engagement and identity? These are the kinds of questions that underlie the sense of place. The workplace is increasingly seen as a “brand” that conveys not only a place, but also the mission and values of the organization. The GSA workplace program combines branding and sense of place with sustainable approaches to create special places imbued with meaning and purpose.
Energy & Atmosphere

Buildings and facilities rely on the operation of mechanical systems and electrical systems to maintain a comfortable indoor environmental quality for occupants. Building operations consume approximately 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced annually in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Greenhouse gases are generated and released throughout the life cycle of producing and consuming fossil fuel energy. These greenhouse gases directly contribute to air pollution and climate change. Therefore, atmospheric problems can be reduced by increasing the efficiency with which energy is used‚ optimizing the use of natural energy resources‚ and understanding the effects of energy technologies on the atmosphere.
The Workplace Environment as a Catalyst for Social Change

We know workplace design can influence functional behaviors, but can it be a catalyst for social change? Can organizations use the environment to improve sense of community, increase morale, reduce stress, and develop cross group relationships?
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Overview

When seeking to make the most sustainable choice, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides the most data to inform your decision. By including the impacts throughout the product life cycle, LCA provides a comprehensive view of the environmental aspects of the product or process and a more accurate picture of the true environmental trade-offs in product and process selection.

Whole Building Analysis

Materials

Skylights / Solar Tubes

Skylights/light tubes allow daylight to penetrate into a space. They are typically located in the roof/ceiling and can vary in size. Certain solar tracking skylights have mirrors in them that track the sun in order to maximize the amount of daylight brought into the space. Installation of either exterior baffles or interior shades on skylights provide control of natural light flow allowing for the minimization of heat gain and glare.