Sustainable Facilities Tool

The overall green building market (both non-residential and residential) is estimated to more than double from $36-49 billion in 2009 to $96-140 billion by 2013. Source: McGraw Hill Construction (2009). Green Outlook 2009: Trends Driving Change

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.

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?

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.

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

Indoor contaminants such as dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, secondhand smoke and some chemicals can trigger asthma attacks. Source: Asthma Prevalence, Health Care Use and Mortality: United States, 2003-05, http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/ashtma03-05/asthma03-05.htm 

More than 20 million people, including over 6 million children, have asthma, accounting for over 10 million outpatient clinic visits, nearly 2 million emergency department visits and nearly 4,500 deaths annually (2000). Source: Asthma Prevalence, Health Care Use and Mortality: United States, 2003-05, http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/ashtma03-05/asthma03-05.htm

More than 20 million people, including over 6 million children, have asthma, accounting for over 10 million outpatient clinic visits, nearly 2 million emergency department visits and nearly 4,500 deaths annually (2000). Source: Asthma Prevalence, Health Care Use and Mortality: United States, 2003-05

Every 40 cases of 100% post consumer fiber paper saves the equivalent of the following:

• 24 trees 40 feet in height
• 7,000 gallons of water
• 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity
• 60 pounds of air pollution

Source: UCLA Sustainability