Grading Green: A Guide to Evaluating Sustainable Building & Decor Products

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2	Grading Green: A Guide to Evaluating Sustainable Building & Decor Products
3	In a world full of "green" products, how do you choose the best option? And what does "best" even mean when it comes to sustainability? In short, it depends on you and your client's priorities. Use this tool to evaluate and compare materials.
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5	Ready to put the rubric to good use? You'll need to make a copy. In just 2 easy steps, you can make an editable copy for your own use. Reference the "HOW TO EDIT" tab for instructions.
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7	Grading Green: Building Products Looking to evaluate decor products? Switch to the other tab!	Score 0 = not at all sustainable 5 = most sustainable
8	Materials Sourcing	Product 1	Product 2	Product 3
9	Sustainable Materials Does it use bio-based, recycled, low-impact materials or existing waste streams? How quickly are the materials renewable? If bio-based, are organic or regenerative practices used? Does the material sequester carbon?
10	Local Materials How far is the total distance required to produce the product and ship it to you? How many stops will it need to make along the way? Does it use carbon intensive transportation or lower impact methods?
11	Manufacturing Process
12	Energy Efficiency Does it use renewable energy sources and efficiency of manufacturing processes? Is it made with low or lower temperatures?
13	Waste Management Does the manufacturer use waste reduction, recycling initiatives, and responsible disposal practices?
14	Human & Environmental Health Do production methods pollute local air, water and soil? How does the manufacturing process affect the health of workers?
15	Minimal Packaging Does it use minimal, recyclable/reusable, or biodegradable packing materials?
16	Installation
17	Ease of Install Is the product easy to install as designed in a way that will preserve the performance? Does the real-world installation technique match the perfomance of lab results?
18	Installer & Community Health Does the installation create challenges for installer health and safety? Are toxins released at install that are harmful to people or the planet?
19	Site Waste Does the installation create unrecyclable waste, Does cutting or installing the product create micro-plastics or other particles that are non-biodegradable and difficult to contain?
20	Lifecycle Analysis
21	Circular Product Design Is the product easy to deconstruct, reuse, recycle, repurpose, or does it biodegrade? Are there local recycling facilities available to take the products at end of life?
22	Durability and Longevity How many years will the product last before it will need to be replaced? Does it require regular maintenance? Does it maintain it's function, performance and aesthetic over time?
23	Fire-Resistance Is the product naturally flame-retardant or resistant to combustion? If it contains fire-retardants, are they safe for humans and the environment? If the product catches fire, will the smoke be highly toxic? Does it have flame-resistant certifications such as Califonia's Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) Certificate?
24	Embodied Carbon What are the product's overall carbon emissions from raw material extraction to manufacturing?
25	Certifications and Standards
26	Energy and Perfomance Certifications Does it have any of the following certifications: Cradle to Cradle (C2C), OKEO-TEX , GOTS, Passive House Certified Component, Greenguard, WaterSense, or Energy Star?
27	Environmental and Social Responsibility Certifications and Affiliations Is it certified or affliated with any of the following: Fair Trade Certified, Declare, Just, B-Corp, 1% for the Planet, Living Product Challenge, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)?
28	Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
29	Low VOC and Chemical Off-Gassing Does the product off-gas over time? Is it certified fomaldehyde-free? How quickly is the off-gassing complete? Will offgassing from this product be happening within the building envelope, contributing to poor indoor air quality? Is the product likely to contain PFAs?
30	Mold and Allergens Is the product mold resistent? Is it something that people are commonly allergic to or that will trap allergens?
31	Particulate Matter Is the product likely to create or shed microplastics? Does it create material that is 2.5 micrometers or less? Does collect dust, dirt and other biological contaminants?
32	Energy Performance
33	Insulation Performance How well does the product prevent thermal bridging and effectively insulate the home? What is the R-Value per inch? Does it maintain efficacy at a variety of temperatures and humidity levels?
34	Passive Heating and Cooling Does it provide additional thermal mass to the interior of the building? Does it contribute to passive systems of airflow or energy storage?
35	Air-Sealing Does the product effectively restrict the unwanted flow of air in and out of the thermal envelope? Is that air sealing durable over time and likely to perform well with real-world install methods? Is the product vapor open or closed?
36	Average Score	#DIV/0!	#DIV/0!	#DIV/0!
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38		Don't worry - the #div/0! message will go away as soon as you start adding values!
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40	This tool is a collaborative effort between Cottonwood Custom Builders, Bailey Katherine Interior Design, and The Good Future Design Alliance. Cottonwood Custom Builders, renowned for their expertise in constructing sustainable and custom green homes, brings years of experience and commitment to environmental stewardship to the project. Bailey Katherine Interiors contributes their holistic approach to creating thoughtfully designed spaces that emphasize sustainability and conscious living. The Good Future Design Alliance, dedicated to promoting low-waste practices in the design and construction industries, supports the project with its extensive network and resources aimed at reducing waste and fostering sustainable building practices. Special thanks also to Haley Matchette for her insight and to Hannah Finch for proposing this topic and creating the rubric.
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