5 useful tips for selecting sustainable products
Sustainable construction, encompassing both social and ecological aspects, depends on the careful choices of building materials. So, what should you consider when choosing materials, choices that will affect the carbon footprint of your business? With these five useful guidelines, the complex world of material sustainability becomes clearer, making informed choices easier.

1. Opt for products with an EPD
When selecting materials, insist on products with Environmental Product Declarations, EPDs. These should be created from specific supplier data rather than generic global averages. Recognise that not all EPDs are created equal, ensuring accurate carbon footprint representation.
2. Prioritise low carbon footprint
Focus on the construction phase to drive demand for low-carbon products, as in-use phase emissions are decreasing. Producers should invest in decarbonisation efforts by minimising energy consumption and shifting to climate-friendly energy sources. Apply the same scrutiny to raw materials, ensuring they align with environmental criteria.
3. Enhance indoor air quality through smart design
Combat indoor pollutants by reducing the source of contaminants. Choose construction products with minimal emissions, targeting pollutants at their origins. Eurofins Indoor Air Quality label, stringent and comprehensive, guarantees batch-by-batch product performance, assuring a healthier indoor environment.
4. Verify safe chemical inventories
Demand products with a credible chemical inventory. A self-declared REACH certificate or a third-party verified Material Health Certificate™ (from Cradle-to-Cradle Certified®) provides assurance. To create a Material Health Certificate™, your supplier must involve a third-party to screen and validate its products rigorously to ensure a safe chemical inventory.
5. Embrace recyclable and reusable products
Insist on materials designed for recycling and reuse. Opt for manufacturers offering comprehensive and simple recycling solutions, backed by robust infrastructures. Hold producers accountable; advocate for producer responsibility to become the industry norm, ensuring a resilient recycling ecosystem.
By adhering to these guidelines, we not only build structures but also foster a conscientious industry, where responsible material choices are the norm. This way, we can shape a world where sustainability is a shared commitment.
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