Defining green and helping you develop the confidence to buy green by familiarizing yourself with a few basic guidelines.
•1) A product is green if it improves the indoor air quality (IAQ), or reduces chemical exposure within a home, thereby improving the health of the people who live in it.
•2) A product is green if it reduces the impact on the environment through the use of materials that are renewable, recycled, or sustainably harvested as in the case of wood
•3) The product helps to reduce water usage, thereby lowering demands on freshwater sources. Products that require intensive infrastructure to pipe, store and purify water should be avoided.
•4) A product is green if it reduces pressure on the waste stream. Look for products made from renewed, recycled, or recycle-able materials.
•5) A product is green if it reduces the carbon footprint during manufacturing, use, and over its life time. This includes products that require less energy to operate.
By considering these basic ideas and asking the seller if the product meets these standards you can judge how green the product is. As with any decision common sense is the better part of valor. Think about what it took to manufacture and assemble the product. What kinds of parts were used in the making of the product? A product is like an envelope, what counts is what's inside. Ask yourself, "How much energy did it take to make the product?", and what kind of impact does it have on air quality, fresh water resources, and waste stream management.
When buying a home these same guidelines will help you judge how green the home is. Look for a post later this month for specific product questions to ask the builder or Realtor when considering buying a green home.
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