Green Products: Are they really green?

  • Is the green choice truly beneficial or only transferring the burden elsewhere?
  • What carbon offsets are legitimate?
  • Who is certifying the material or process?
  • Do the materials survive a detailed life cycle analysis assessment (LCA) for all inputs and outputs?
  • Is the green choice truly beneficial or only transferring the burden elsewhere?
  • Use installers who are properly certified (e.g., HVAC contractors)
  • Use legitimate Green Product Certifications.

Visit Home Innovations Research Labs Green Certified Products for more on point-worthy building products for NGBS Green Certification.  NGBS Green Certified Products earn a certificate that identifies the specific NGBS section(s) where points for the product are available.

The ICC-ES Environmental Programs (formerly known as SAVE®) provide manufacturers with independent and comprehensive evaluation and/or certification that their products meet specific sustainability targets. They offer the following services under the ICC-ES VAR Environmental Report and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Programs.

Below is a ‘Green Paper’ by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc. (November 2007) reporting on Greenwashing.  Enjoy.

6 Sins of Greenwashing

Exploring Projects Around the Globe

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Certification Levels and Real Estate

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103% Increase in the Number of HERS Rated Net Zero Energy Homes from 2013 to 2015

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Revisiting Clay-Based Construction Materials

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Water Efficiency and Innovation

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Granite State Builder, Green Building column

The Granite State Builder is the periodical of the NH Home Builders Association. Columns include:
– Oversight & Inspection
– Integrating Solar
– Preparing for the 2015 IRC
– Improving a Green Wall System
– Ventilation – A Different Issue in the World of Energy Codes
– Building Systems for Green Building
– Is Green Building Good for Conservation Land Development?
– Green Building Product Evaluation