What Makes A Product Green?

What makes a company green? Click Here

The word "green" gets bandied about quite a bit lately, and although its something you've probably heard about, you may not know exactly what it means. "Green," in general, encompasses the entire movement to become environmentally conscious.

You can go green in several ways, from powering your home with green energy or by changing small things in your everyday life like light bulbs. Green can apply to the way you fly, the way you drive, the way you build and more. You can choose to embrace a green way of life, and do everything you can to be environmentally conscious, or you can pick specific ways you want to change your life to become green.

This site can not only help you evaluate whether you are green, we can also help you take steps to become green. An important tool in the effort to build greener buildings and live greener lives is the selection of products that were made using environmentally friendly processes and are used in environmentally friendly ways. Green Products are available for just about any daily need, and the ways they are green are many and varied: They are energy or water efficient; they use healthy non-toxic materials; they are made from recycled or renewable resources; they make current products you use more efficient or more durable; and they are recyclable or biodegradable, among many other things.

But among all the truly green products comes the risk of "green washing", that is products that are advertised as green without truly offering environmental or health benefits. The checklist below will help you sort through the claims and find the products that best meet the consumer needs

Green Product Checklist

Manufacturer Commitment to Sustainability

• Is there a written, working environmental policy in place? Is it easy to find on their website or product literature
• Does this policy strive to make important improvements in manufacturing, reducing and reusing first, then recycling
• Do they comply with their industry's voluntary testing programs?

Examine the Products Composition

• What are the raw materials used to create the product?
• And where do they come from?
• Did the materials come from renewable resources? Is the manufacturing process energy efficient?
• Does the manufacturing process release harmful substances?
• Are adhesives needed to make the product viable? What are they using?
• Are coatings or finishes needed to make the product viable?
• What are they using?

Examine Other Aspects of the Product

• Does the product nurture the health and well-being of its occupants?
• Does the product do the job well?
• How much energy does it use?
• Does the product release VOC's? At what rate?
• How is the product packaged and transported?
• How is the product installed and maintained?
• Does it have color or texture that can lead to reduced lighting energy or and expanded range of thermal comfort conditions?
• Can the product be maintained in a benign manner?
• Using safe cleaning products?

Examine Strategies for Disposal

• Is the Product Durable? Biodegradable? Recyclable?
• Can the parts be separated for recycling?
• Can it be made into something else?
• Can the product be returned to its manufacturer at the end of its life?

Cost Considerations

• What is the price range for the product?
• Does the manufacturer provide life cycle cost analysis on this product?

Developed by Victoria Summer, ASID with additional contributions from Penny Bonda, FASID

Tips for Going Green at Work

Sure its eco-friendly to greenify your office, but more importantly - especially for your high-strung boss - green offices are more efficient, shaving the bottom line and saving you money.

1. Buy post-consumer recycled content paper, which ranges from 30% to 100% recycled material
2. Coordinate a paper recycling program at your office
3. Use recyclable products in your bathrooms and kitchen areas.
4. Arrange for an energy audit, something your energy provider can assist with
5. Shut down computers, turn off lights and appliances after hours
6. Consider ditching fancy screen savers, and set computer to standby during longer periods of inactivity
7. Energy Star office products include everything from computers and fax machines to mailing machines
8. Get rid of artificial lighting- not only is it ugly, but extremely wasteful as well
9. Limit paper products in the kitchen an encourage employees to bring dishware from home
10. Purchase renewable energy credits for your office, and offset your air travel, gas mileage and more
11. Educate your employees on how to live a greener lifestyle
12. Buy a booth

Ten Simple Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

What exactly is a carbon footprint? Every human being impacts the environment through simple practices that you may or may not realize are harmful. Though the effects themselves may seem minute or insignificant, the cumulative effects of wasteful habits add up to a significant factor in global warming.

1. Change at least three light bulbs in your home with energy star approved bulbs. Help the environment by reducing your energy consumption by as much as 90%, which in turn helps reduce the consumption of fossil fuel and carbon emissions. It doesn't hurt that it saves money on your energy bill as well
2. Properly insulate and weatherize the interior and exterior of your home
3. Walk, ride a bike or use public transportation whenever possible
4. Buy renewable energy
5. Reuse containers, paper and other conservable items, and participate in your local recycling program. Consider donating unwanted items to local agencies rather than adding to your local landfill
6. Purchase Energy Star appliances. Efficient appliances will help conserve both water and electricity in your home
7. Start a paper recycling program at work
8. Before purchasing a vehicle, research emission standards and gas mileage. The number of clean fuel-efficient vehicles currently available is growing by leaps and bounds
9. Purchase renewable energy credits to offset your carbon emissions
10. Educate others about the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, and try to encourage friends, co-workers, family and students to adopt a few green practices. One person telling a few friends and family members could spread the power of green