Resources
Links to Green Products Guides and Rating Systems
By
Aug 23, 2007, 09:05

Click on each address to be linked to their website

Architectural Record

Green Product Guide

http://archrecord.construction.com/products/green/

Arranged by CSI Divisions this guide has listings especially related to commercial projects.  Each product listing has a link to the companies website.

CIWMB Recycled Content Product Database

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/rcp/

Compiled by California Integrated Waste Management Board, this database includes more than just building materials. Other product categories include: agriculture & landscape, automotive and traffic and office supplies.  Products are available nationally.

Environmentally

Preferable Purchasing

www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp

Rates building materials and products based on pollution prevention, life cycle analysis, comparison of environmental impacts, environmental performance, and environment/price performance ratio. Product categories include: paints, plumbing, HVAC, lighting, gypsum board, carpets, concrete, coatings, sealants, flooring, doors, and windows. 

Forest Certification Resource Center

http://www.certifiedwood.org/

This is a comprehensive resource for information on forest management and product certification worldwide.  It includes a database of Certified Forest Products, Certified Forests, Certified Businesses and Approved Certifiers.

Forest Stewardship Council  (FSC)

http://www.fsc.org/fsc

FSC is an independent, membership-based organization that brings people together to promote responsible management of the world's forests through developing standards, a certification system and trademark recognition.

Greenguard  (Greenguard Environmental Institute)

http://www.greenguard.org/

Greenguard evaluates products on emission of VOCs, formaldehyde, and other pollutants for interior products and building materials. Certifies over 10,000 products, including flooring, ceiling systems, paints, coatings, adhesives, wall coverings, insulation, and office furniture.  You first must register using your name, company, email address, and password before being allowed  access into this database.

Green Seal

www.greenseal.org

Evaluates performance and life cycle evaluation of products, including paint, adhesives, compact fluorescent lamps, chillers, photovoltaic modules, windows, and window films.  

GreenSpec

Building Green Inc.

http://www.buildinggreen.com/

GreenSpec is a directory of environmentally preferred products.  Products are evaluated by Building Green staff members based on 27 criteria, including recycled content, reduced demolition impacts, durability, and energy efficiency.  Directory covers more than 1,600 materials and products.  It does not require performance testing or independent verification of product content.  The staff searches for products, rather than waiting for manufacturers to submit. GreenSpec is not a certification or labeling program.

Smartwood

http://www.smartwood.org

Smartwood is a third party certifier that is accredited to conduct forest management according to the rules of Forest Stewardship Council. 

U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Program

http://www.epa.gov/cpg/products.htm

The guidelines provide information about material content, product specification and a database of manufacturers and suppliers.  Once in the Supplier Database you can sort by category, product, material, company or state.  Besides the database this website offers product fact sheets, related links and buy recycled news, which among other things lists a calendar of events.

WasteCap Wisconsin

http://www.wastecapwi.org/

WasteCap Wisconsin, Inc. provides waste reduction and recycling assistance to businesses. They assist and encourage companies to effectively drive costs out of their operations through improved solid waste management practices.

WasteCap Wisconsin offers WasteCap Wisconsin Accreditation in Construction and Demolition Recycling. This training will give you the skills you need to develop, manage, monitor, document and promote a successful recycling program for construction and demolition debris. It also provides training to obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points for MR 2.1 and 2.2.

Wisconsin Built Directory of Energy Efficient & Sustainable Products & Services

http://www.wgba.org/artman/publish/cat_index_4.shtml

This directory is managed by WGBA staff and is searchable by company, products, services, green criteria, LEED Rating System category or keyword.