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Search results for “Low-Emitting Materials”

Low VOC

VOCs are volatile organic compounds – toxins that are found within products (paints, adhesives, cleaners, carpets, particle board, etc) and that are released into a space’s indoor air, thus harming its quality. Low VOC products are those that meet or exceed various standards for low-emitting materials. Low-emitting standards include Green Seal, SCAQMD, CRI Green Label Plus, Floor Score, etc.

http://www.wbdg.org/resources/greenproducts.php?r=mou_rc

http://www.greenseal.org/

http://www.carpet-rug.org/

http://www.aqmd.gov/

Learn & Plan Topics

  • 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.

  • Materials, Furniture, and Furnishings Replacement

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

  • 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.

  • Best Practices Applicable to All Project Types

    This section presents key issues that should be considered for each project type. It is intended to help you think about your overall project, before you begin to compare and select specific materials. This will enable you to select the "best" strategies and materials for your project, given the opportunities and constraints you have identified. Use the sidebar to navigate to your specific project type.

  • 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.

  • 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 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...

  • 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.

  • Plan Section Guidance

    For each project there is a selection of issues and questions you should consider before selecting specific materials or products. This will help you and your team address the most critical sustainability concerns and opportunities for that project type; look for synergies and mitigate unintended consequences. There are ways to improve even the simplest projects, such as repainting or re-carpeting.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Health

    Good health has both physical and psychological components. Being healthy means the absence of disease and illness, as well as feeling positive about life and work. The workplace can play a role in the health of workers by eliminating risks and creating conditions that support cognitive, emotional, and social well being.

  • 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.

  • Spatial Equity

    Organizations today are less hierarchical and work is more team based, more mobile, and more cross functional. A key to spatial equity is that space layout and workstation standards are based on new ways of working and specific work tasks and business needs rather than organizational hierarchy.

  • 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.

  • Flexibility

    Today's workplaces are often in flux. As organizations change direction or develop new services, people also move. Teams form and re-form. People move to new spaces and take on new responsibilities. The spaces themselves are transformed to meet new needs. These changes are much easier to accommodate, with less stress on people and the organization, when the workplace is designed to support flexibility.

  • 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.


Whole Building Analysis


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.

  • Rubber Flooring

    Rubber flooring is made from any variety of synthetic elastic materials whose properties resemble natural rubber. Formats include rubber tiles, sheet goods or fluid applied material that are designed to be installed as a permanent flooring solution in a commercial setting.

  • 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.

  • Drywall

    Drywall (also known as gypsum board) is the material used to build standard interior walls.

  • Vinyl Base

    Vinyl wall base is a durable material that serves as a wall finish and functional protective border.

  • Wood / Bamboo Base

    Wood base is a durable material that serves as a wall finish and protective border. Bamboo, while not technically wood, is commonly included in this category.

  • Open Ceiling

    Open ceilings offer a modern, industrial-type feel to a space as duct-work and piping are typically visible. Like bare concrete floors, open ceilings do not require additional materials. While they make a space feel larger, they do not offer the acoustical benefits of dropped ceilings, thus, making for a potentially noisy work environment. Acoustical panels placed strategically within the open ceiling system can lessen the noise yet still maintain the industrial feel.

  • Glass - Multi-Pane

    Single-pane glass has been replaced by double, triple and even quadruple panes, with insulating materials separating the layers. Inert gasses may be pumped between the panes to add to the windows insulating properties.

  • Shades

    Shades are window coverings that block or reduce sunlight penetration through windows. Shades are available in different operational styles such as roller, cordless, or corded shades. Shades can be drawn and stacked at the top of the window or stopped at different intervals, offering a neat and finished look for your windows. Shades are available in a variety of materials such as fabric, vinyl, bamboo, grass, and reeds. When utilizing light shelves consider installing two sets of rolling shades, one above and one below.

  • Blinds

    Blinds are versatile window coverings. Blinds block or reduce sunlight penetration through windows. They are made with either vertical or horizontal slats that can be rotated for privacy control and maximum light tolerance. They are available in a variety of materials and styles such as bamboo, wood, composite wood, aluminum, vinyl or fabric. When utilizing light shelves consider installing two sets of rolling shades, one above and one below.

  • Wood / Bamboo Furniture

    Wood is a hard fibrous natural plant material that is often used for furniture. Bamboo, while not technically wood, is commonly included in this category.

  • 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.

  • Wood Base

    Wood base is a durable material that serves as a wall finish and protective border. Bamboo, while not technically wood, is commonly included in this category.

  • 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.

  • Alternative Bio-based Composite

    Bio-composites, or biodegradable composites, are the next generation of sustainable building materials. Plant fibers such as sunflower hulls, or wheat straw, combined with natural resins and binders can be used to make several different products including doors.

  • Desk

    Desk selection should be driven by sustainable materials. Refer to the compare section for guidance. Using casters will support the flexibility for future relocation. Also consider use of key board trays and computer monitor mounting arms to support ergonomics.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Everything 158

    • Learn & Plan Topics 18

      • Learn
      • Plan

    • Whole Building 37

    • Compare Materials 18

Procure Products 85

in the Green Products Compilation