RE1: Environmentally Preferable Materials

(1-9 points)

PURPOSE

Promote the use of materials that have a minimal environmental impact.

CRITERIA

Specify materials that have verified improved environmental life cycle impacts, have a high recycled content or wood that is harvested from sustainably managed forests.

Select one or more of the options below:

Option A. Product Declaration Forms for four products used on the project (1 point)

Provide product declaration forms for four project products, found in the following databases: UL Spot Database, Portico, Perkins + Will Precautionary List, ICC Evaluation Service, Environmental Product Declaration Database.

Option B. 100% Wood Framing (2 points)

All structural framing is wood.

Option C. Sustainable Certified Wood Framing Package (3 points)

All structural framing is wood, and all wood framing consists of 100% sustainable forestry certified products (SFI or FSC).

Option D. Exterior Cladding Recycle Content (1 point)

At least 50% of exterior cladding contains a minimum of 25% recycled material.

Option E. Envelope Insulation Recycle Content (1 point)

The aggregate amount of recycled content in envelope insulation coverage (in square feet) must be a minimum of 25%. See below for example calculation. Use recycled content calculator in worksheet to calculate.

Option F. Floor Covering (1 point)

At least 70% of floor coverings contain a minimum of 25% recycled material.

Insulation Recycled Content Example

For example, a building has: 

• A 400 sf roof with 5% recycled content 
• 960 sf of perimeter wall 
  • First layer of wall insulation has 25% recycled content 
  • Second layer of wall insulation has 35% recycled content 
• Total sf = 400 sf + 960 sf = 1,360 sf

VERIFICATION 

• Provide product specifications and/or calculations 
• Provide product declaration forms where applicable 
• Site Inspection by ECLC Technical Advisor

RESOURCES

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) http://www.environdec.com/