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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.

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/buyrecycled.htm

http://www.wbdg.org/references/mou_rc.php

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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Materials, Furniture, and Furnishings Replacement

    Daily wear and tear means that materials, furniture and furnishings require periodic replacement.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.


Materials

  • 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

    Broadloom carpet (also known as sheet carpet) is any type of carpet which is woven on a wide loom. The most common carpet fibers are made of Nylon, but broadloom carpet fibers can also be made of bio-based (e.g. corn), natural (e.g. wool) or recycled materials.
  • Carpet Tile

    Carpet tile flooring is composed of individual carpet sections installed in sequence. Carpet tile fibers can be made of a variety of materials, but the most common is Nylon. Carpet fibers can also be made of bio-based (e.g. corn), natural (e.g. wool) or recycled materials.
  • 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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    • Learn & Plan Topics 13

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Procure Products 34

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