Search results for “recycled content”
Recycled Content
Products containing recycled content are made from materials that would otherwise be discarded. Recycled content material reduces the need for virgin materials. There are two types of recycled content: post-consumer and pre-consumer (also called post-industrial). Post-consumer recycled content comes from materials that have already lived a useful life as a product. For example, a plastic soda bottle that is melted and used to create carpet backing. Pre-consumer recycled content includes materials that typically result from a manufacturing process. For example, fly ash – a byproduct of the coal industry that is typically sent to the landfill - can be used to replace a portion of the cement mix in a concrete batch.
Learn & Plan Topics
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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.
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Recycling Bottles
Recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light a 60-watt bulb for up to 6 hours. Source: Bureau of International Recycling -
Fiber Paper Recycling
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: http://www.sustain.ucla.edu/handbook/article.asp?parentid=3465 UCLA Sustainability
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Sustainable Building Operations and Maintenance Services
Follow these sustainable strategies as your space renovations are complete and the building and interiors are operated in an environmentally sustainable manner. Operations staff should endeavor to establish best practices in energy efficiency, resource conservation, ecologically sensitive products, and other sustainable practices, and implement them.
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Materials, Furniture, and Furnishings Replacement
Daily wear and tear means that materials, furniture and furnishings require periodic replacement.
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Space Reconfiguration and Renovation Projects
As needs change over time, tenants often need to convert space or phase the conversion of individual space or rooms to meet these changing needs.
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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. -
LCA Standards, Tools and Resources
ISO 14040:2006 describes the principles and framework for life cycle assessment (LCA) including: definition of the goal and scope of the LCA, the life cycle inventory analysis (LCI) phase, the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phase... -
Environmental Programs
Environmental programs help buyers identify products and services with positive environmental attributes. Examples include ENERGY STAR, WaterSense, EPEAT, BioPreferred. Some environmental programs are mandatory for federal buyers, while others support the achievement of E.O. 13514 and agency sustainability goals.
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Under 10,000 SF Interiors Gut Rehab Project
Following are Sustainable Strategies to consider as the space has or will undergo a major tenant gut rehab for projects under 10,000 SF. Note to use a current version of LEED for Commercial Interiors for tenant improvement projects over 10,000 SF. Refer to the Share Section for a represented project Case Study to discover key practices, benefits, results and checklists.
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Materials & Resources
In the construction and day-to-day operations of buildings, many materials and resources are used and a great deal of waste is generated. The materials selected for use in a facility and the way they are disposed of impact the environment.
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Life Cycle Approach
Materials and resources all have environmental, social and economic impacts beyond just their "use" phase in a project. Analyzing these environmental impacts and financial costs over the entire life span of a product or material is what is known as a Life Cycle Approach. -
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
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Plants in the Workplace (Resources / Case Study > IEQ)
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Water Reuse and Recycling (Resources > Water)
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Green Tips (Resources > Water)
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Materials (Resources > Lighting)
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Boilers/Steam Systems (Resources > Water)
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Resources (Water)
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Absorption (Resources > IEQ)
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Temperature (Human Behavior > IEQ)
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Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) (Human Behavior > IEQ)
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Ventilation / Filtration (Resources > IEQ)
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O&M (Lighting)
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System Overview (Lighting)
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System Overview (HVAC)
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System Overview (IEQ)
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System Overview (Water)
Materials
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Recycling containers
Recycling bins come in a variety of shapes and sizes to help keep recyclables organized and pest-free. There are large bins for breakroom and copy areas and small bins to be placed under desks. There are aesthetically pleasing bins, carts, and containers designed for all recycling waste streams. There are also bins that are made from recycled materials. Bins may require occasional cleaning to avoid fostering an environment conducive for pests. -
Toilet / Shower Accessories
Toilet and shower accessories include soap dispensers, soap dishes, hand dryers, paper towel dispensers, trash cans, etc. These items may contain recycled content if they are made of metal or plastic. Hand dryers allow for drying without using paper products which reduces waste. Although automated paper towel dispensers typically use non-rechargeable batteries, they can also reduce waste by controlling the amount of paper dispensed. -
Casework / Millwork
Select casework and millwork that have sustainable attributes such as rapidly renewable, recycled content and sustainably managed forest material. Also look for products that are low-VOC and formaldehyde-free. In addition, consider ease of maintenance and durability when choosing any material. -
Ceiling Tile
Acoustical ceiling tiles are typically used in offices with dropped ceilings. The ceiling tiles come in various sizes and finishes and frequently contain high levels of recycled content. -
Gypsum Board
Gypsum board (i.e. drywall) ceilings are similar to acoustical ceilings in that they improve the acoustical properties of a space and sometimes contain recycled content. -
Broadloom Carpet
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Carpet Tile
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Paper Composite
Paper Composite is a type of solid surfacing countertop made from paper, fibers and resin. The resin typically does not come from recycled sources; however, it only constitutes a small portion of the material used. They are available in a range of colors, are very durable and handle heat well. -
Composite Wood
Interior doors are often made of a composite wood core covered with a laminate or wood veneer. Doors made with engineered wood are cheaper than solid wood doors, but may pose indoor air quality problems from emissions in the binders or adhesives. Greener engineered wood alternatives include formaldehyde-free door cores, those that are made of recycled content or made from agricultural waste, such as wheat straw. Additionally, veneers may be made of sustainably grown and harvested wood. These greener alternatives must be explicitly specified, as they are not standard materials.
Green Products
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Office Recycling Containers
in Building Furnishings -
Expanded Polystyrene Foam Recycling Products
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Office Recycling Containers: Paperboard
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Office Recycling Containers: Plastic
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Office Recycling Containers: Steel
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Paint
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Printing and Writing Paper
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Printing and Writing Paper
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Printing and Writing Paper: Carbonless
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Printing and Writing Paper: Cards (e.g., index)
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Printing and Writing Paper: Check Safety Paper
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Printing and Writing Paper: Coated Printing Paper
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Printing and Writing Paper: Cotton
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Printing and Writing Paper: File Folders, Manila and Colored
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Printing and Writing Paper: Forms Bond (e.g., computer printout)
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Printing and Writing Paper: Machine Finish Groundwood
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Printing and Writing Paper: Offset
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Printing and Writing Paper: Doilies
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Printing and Writing Paper: Pressboard Report Covers and Binders
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Printing and Writing Paper: Copier and Reprographic
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Printing and Writing Paper: Supercalendered
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Printing and Writing Paper: Tablet
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Printing and Writing Paper: Tags and Tickets
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Printing and Writing Paper: Text and Cover
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Printing and Writing Paper: Unbleached Kraft Envelopes
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Printing and Writing Paper: White Wove Envelopes
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Printing and Writing Paper: White, Colored, Manila Kraft Envelopes
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Printing and Writing Paper: File Folder Labels
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Printing and Writing Paper: File Folder Labels
in Contracted Printing Services