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.