Comments on: How Not to Greenwash Your Building Product http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/ Reporting on Sustainably Built Environments from Bricks to Cities Wed, 23 May 2012 23:52:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Easy Warm floor http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-70475 Easy Warm floor Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:43:18 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-70475 Very good article , thank you Very good article , thank you

]]> By: Easy Warm floor http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-98199 Easy Warm floor Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:43:00 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-98199 Very good article , thank you Very good article , thank you

]]> By: Seven Ways To Avoid Greenwashing Your Building Products « Norsteel http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-16669 Seven Ways To Avoid Greenwashing Your Building Products « Norsteel Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:33:04 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-16669 [...] For the full article, visit: http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/ [...] [...] For the full article, visit: http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/ [...]

]]> By: Bashar http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-5595 Bashar Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:12:21 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-5595 Great article Craig! I have one additional comment to make. When looking at something points-based such as LEED, it's important to note that beyond simply a "numbers game", there should be points given to the project based on what is actually applicable. For instance (and this is simply an example), if installing a bike rack gets you a point, and having a green roof gets you 2, then most developers will simply stick the bike rack in, and avoid what would be a MUCH better addition--because it's cheaper and easier to install. This is the biggest setback when it comes to points-based systems - that it sometimes comes down to simple math, when rather there should be consideration for the integrated, logical design of each unique building, and factors such as geographic location and other life cycle assessments should play a crucial part. Bashar www.solarphile.com Great article Craig!

I have one additional comment to make. When looking at something points-based such as LEED, it’s important to note that beyond simply a “numbers game”, there should be points given to the project based on what is actually applicable. For instance (and this is simply an example), if installing a bike rack gets you a point, and having a green roof gets you 2, then most developers will simply stick the bike rack in, and avoid what would be a MUCH better addition–because it’s cheaper and easier to install.

This is the biggest setback when it comes to points-based systems – that it sometimes comes down to simple math, when rather there should be consideration for the integrated, logical design of each unique building, and factors such as geographic location and other life cycle assessments should play a crucial part.

Bashar
http://www.solarphile.com

]]> By: Bashar http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-98198 Bashar Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:12:00 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-98198 Great article Craig! I have one additional comment to make. When looking at something points-based such as LEED, it's important to note that beyond simply a "numbers game", there should be points given to the project based on what is actually applicable. For instance (and this is simply an example), if installing a bike rack gets you a point, and having a green roof gets you 2, then most developers will simply stick the bike rack in, and avoid what would be a MUCH better addition--because it's cheaper and easier to install. This is the biggest setback when it comes to points-based systems - that it sometimes comes down to simple math, when rather there should be consideration for the integrated, logical design of each unique building, and factors such as geographic location and other life cycle assessments should play a crucial part. Bashar www.solarphile.com Great article Craig!

I have one additional comment to make. When looking at something points-based such as LEED, it’s important to note that beyond simply a “numbers game”, there should be points given to the project based on what is actually applicable. For instance (and this is simply an example), if installing a bike rack gets you a point, and having a green roof gets you 2, then most developers will simply stick the bike rack in, and avoid what would be a MUCH better addition–because it’s cheaper and easier to install.

This is the biggest setback when it comes to points-based systems – that it sometimes comes down to simple math, when rather there should be consideration for the integrated, logical design of each unique building, and factors such as geographic location and other life cycle assessments should play a crucial part.

Bashar
http://www.solarphile.com

]]> By: Sky Farms, Green Fire Stations, Carbon Neutral Goals, + Zero Waste Lifestyle | My Blue Planet's News Directory http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-5532 Sky Farms, Green Fire Stations, Carbon Neutral Goals, + Zero Waste Lifestyle | My Blue Planet's News Directory Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:04:35 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-5532 [...] How not to greenwash your building product. [...] [...] How not to greenwash your building product. [...]

]]> By: Joel Bittle http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-5485 Joel Bittle Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:37:53 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-5485 I'd have to agree with you, Craig. Good find. The examples you gave on Silestone did indeed break the greenwashing rules, though the print list I have on my desk is a bit different. Silestone is manufactured in Spain, not Texas, so I'd like to know if they've ever earned the regional credit. I can't tell you why the website lists adhesives and sealants as a credit they contribute to - perhaps it's due to the lack of non-wood materials in the EQ Indoor Environmental Quality Section of LEED for New Construction. I've even called my local USGBC representative to find out what particular EQ credit surfaces like IceStone, PaperStone, and Silestone contribute to. She didn't know and told me she'd get back to me. That was months ago. For LEED for Homes, such countertops fall under the Environmentally Preferable Products matrix under MR credit 2.2. I'm going to reference your comments in the article above. Feel free to send me any more examples you find. I’d have to agree with you, Craig. Good find. The examples you gave on Silestone did indeed break the greenwashing rules, though the print list I have on my desk is a bit different. Silestone is manufactured in Spain, not Texas, so I’d like to know if they’ve ever earned the regional credit. I can’t tell you why the website lists adhesives and sealants as a credit they contribute to – perhaps it’s due to the lack of non-wood materials in the EQ Indoor Environmental Quality Section of LEED for New Construction. I’ve even called my local USGBC representative to find out what particular EQ credit surfaces like IceStone, PaperStone, and Silestone contribute to. She didn’t know and told me she’d get back to me. That was months ago.

For LEED for Homes, such countertops fall under the Environmentally Preferable Products matrix under MR credit 2.2.

I’m going to reference your comments in the article above. Feel free to send me any more examples you find.

]]> By: Joel Bittle http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-98197 Joel Bittle Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:37:00 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-98197 I'd have to agree with you, Craig. Good find. The examples you gave on Silestone did indeed break the greenwashing rules, though the print list I have on my desk is a bit different. Silestone is manufactured in Spain, not Texas, so I'd like to know if they've ever earned the regional credit. I can't tell you why the website lists adhesives and sealants as a credit they contribute to - perhaps it's due to the lack of non-wood materials in the EQ Indoor Environmental Quality Section of LEED for New Construction. I've even called my local USGBC representative to find out what particular EQ credit surfaces like IceStone, PaperStone, and Silestone contribute to. She didn't know and told me she'd get back to me. That was months ago. For LEED for Homes, such countertops fall under the Environmentally Preferable Products matrix under MR credit 2.2. I'm going to reference your comments in the article above. Feel free to send me any more examples you find. I’d have to agree with you, Craig. Good find. The examples you gave on Silestone did indeed break the greenwashing rules, though the print list I have on my desk is a bit different. Silestone is manufactured in Spain, not Texas, so I’d like to know if they’ve ever earned the regional credit. I can’t tell you why the website lists adhesives and sealants as a credit they contribute to – perhaps it’s due to the lack of non-wood materials in the EQ Indoor Environmental Quality Section of LEED for New Construction. I’ve even called my local USGBC representative to find out what particular EQ credit surfaces like IceStone, PaperStone, and Silestone contribute to. She didn’t know and told me she’d get back to me. That was months ago.

For LEED for Homes, such countertops fall under the Environmentally Preferable Products matrix under MR credit 2.2.

I’m going to reference your comments in the article above. Feel free to send me any more examples you find.

]]> By: Clark Griffith http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-5484 Clark Griffith Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:36:40 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-5484 Joel Bittle writes a very organized and informative article that was a good read and a heads up on greenwashing. Craig, your point is well taken, but kinda bogs down over one detail, and I agree I hope it doesn't take away from Joel's overall message. I guess that's why it's a point system that occurs at the building level as an additive process. Joel Bittle writes a very organized and informative article that was a good read and a heads up on greenwashing. Craig, your point is well taken, but kinda bogs down over one detail, and I agree I hope it doesn’t take away from Joel’s overall message. I guess that’s why it’s a point system that occurs at the building level as an additive process.

]]> By: Clark Griffith http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/07/17/how-not-to-greenwash-your-building-product/comment-page-1/#comment-98196 Clark Griffith Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:36:00 +0000 http://greenbuildingelements.com/?p=532#comment-98196 Joel Bittle writes a very organized and informative article that was a good read and a heads up on greenwashing. Craig, your point is well taken, but kinda bogs down over one detail, and I agree I hope it doesn't take away from Joel's overall message. I guess that's why it's a point system that occurs at the building level as an additive process. Joel Bittle writes a very organized and informative article that was a good read and a heads up on greenwashing. Craig, your point is well taken, but kinda bogs down over one detail, and I agree I hope it doesn’t take away from Joel’s overall message. I guess that’s why it’s a point system that occurs at the building level as an additive process.

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