Specifying Responsibly – A guide to make a responsible choice (1/2)

Assessing the health and environmental impacts of materials is a challenge faced by all. It is a process that is further complicated by varying claims from product manufacturers, and the lack of definitive, industry-accepted processes for specifying responsibly. At a minimum, responsible specification requires research, critical evaluation and common sense. Below are some guides to help you make a responsible choice.

Each product/material is subject to a wide range of factors that affect its sustainability, environmental performance & social impact, including:

1. Performance – meeting the project’s requirements for performance (e.g., durability, structural integrity, thermal performance, acoustic performance, etc.).
2. Environmental product information – the manufacturer should be transparent about its environmental performance and provide the appropriate environmental product and health information on request.
3. Code compliance – meeting the requirements of local building codes and standards (e.g., ensuring that the buildings are safe, healthy, energy efficient and suitable for local climate).
4. Maintenance requirements – products/materials that are difficult or costly to maintain will more likely need to be repaired or replaced sooner than low-maintenance solutions.
5. Warranties – the manufacturer should be confident in the longevity of its products and be prepared to provide support to ensure along product lifespan.

On top of that, searching and evaluating sustainable products can be quite tricky especially when you don’t know where to start. Some key attributes to sustainable building products and materials typically demonstrate a range of environmental and health attributes. Once you find the right sustainable building products and materials, you could use some tools and resources to assist your decision-making further. But here are several ways to help you specify sustainable products and materials:

• Product/material incorporates recycled content
• It has been salvaged or reclaimed from existing or demolished structures (e.g. reclaimed wood)
• Made with natural or renewable resources
• Has low ’embodied’ energy or emissions (the energy required to produce and transport the product or material)
• Does not contain ozone depleting substances

• Product/material is easily reused (either whole or through disassembly)
• Readily recycled at the end of its initial life, preferably in a closed-loop recycling system
• Biodegradable

• Product/material is long-lasting, durable, with low maintenance requirements
• Contributes to energy-efficient building operations (e.g. improves thermal comfort thus reducing our reliance on artificial heating and cooling).

• Product/material promotes good indoor air quality (e.g. through containing no volatile organic compounds and/or formaldehyde)
• Sourced from ethical resources and manufacturers, preferably local
• Non-toxic and poses no threat to human health and safety to any person involved in the project