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There is no perfect material or product. All materials in one form or another have a negative effect on our environment. The key is setting priorities for what you want to accomplish with that material or product and then minimizing the environmental impact of that material or product. Some key questions to consider when making your decision are:
a) Where did this material or product come from?
b) What are the by-products of its’ manufacturer?
c) How is the material delivered and installed?
d) How is the material maintained and operated?
e) What do we do with them once we are done with the materials?
Green is a term used to describe anything that’s environmentally friendly. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The United States Green Building Council created LEED as a method of scoring buildings to show how “green” they are. Since it has been instituted LEED has become the benchmark for green building in the United States.
The toxic chemicals found in most common building material negatively affect indoor air quality (what you breath every day). To help prevent some of this clean or replace your HVAC filters per the manufacturers instructions. Inspect and clean air ducts and both supply and return grilles on a regular basis to minimize dust collection and mildew.
This is not necessarily true. Comparing different types of building, i.e. one with solar panels vs. a traditional building will show an initial upfront cost but the operating costs will be much more economical. This return on investment should cover and offset the initial upfront costs compared with a traditional building.
Use water efficient fixtures, flow restrictors on existing fixtures, low flow toilets or waterless urinals. Lowering potable water use for toilets, showerheads, faucets, and other fixtures can reduce the total amount withdrawn from natural water bodies. Water efficiency cuts costs by reducing the amount of water that must be treated, heated, cooled and distributed all of which requires energy.