SUSTAINABILITY
CORPORATE OFFICES
MATERIALS
The built environment generates 40% of annual global CO2 emissions and building infrastructure materials and construction (also known as embodied carbon) are responsible for 13% of those total emissions.
GPS recognizes that materials play an integral role in reducing our project’s total emissions and we encourage project teams to pursue the best practices outlined in the materials section of the Standard when possible.
By carefully considering the materials that go into our projects, we can have a positive impact on the environment and the people that occupy our spaces as well as those within the supply chain.
The best practices outlined will help teams select and specify materials with sustainable attributes and low VOCs and can help teams that are pursuing LEED certification select materials that can contribute to earning points under LEED material credits.
OPTIONAL: Low Emitting Materials
- Interior materials should meet or be below California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) limits.
- VOCs are measured using the following:
- Paints & Coatings
- California Air Resource Board (CARB)
- South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113,
- Local or regionally recognized equivalent (e.g. Global Green Tag)
- Adhesives & Sealants
- SCAQMD Rule 1168
- Local or regionally recognized equivalent (e.g. Global Green Tag)
- Interior finishes & materials should have:
- Low-emitting documentation showing that products do not exceed CDPH VOC limits or local/regionally recognized equivalent.
- Materials supported by a CARB certificate or a valid emissions evaluation.
- No added formaldehyde.
- Align with LEED credit Low Emitting Materials.
NOTE:
Local or regionally recognized equivalent list of certifications is available with the LEED v4 reference guide and on the USGBC website under resources.
| Interior Materials Category | Materials Requirement |
|---|---|
| Flooring Materials & Systems | Meet or be below VOC limits, submittal documentation should include interior flooring emissions documents equivalent to CDPH VOC limits. |
| Wall Assemblies & Treatments (including doors, acoustics & window shades) | Meet or be below VOC limits, submittal documentation should include materials emissions documents equivalents to CDPH VOC limits. |
| Ceiling Systems | Meet or be below VOC limits, submittal documentation should include materials emissions documents equivalent to CDPH VOC limits. |
| Wet Applied or Spray On Paints & Coatings; Adhesives & Sealants; to include fire stopping | Meet or be below VOC limits, include emissions documents equivalent to CDPH VOC limits. |
| Insulation & Composite Woods | Meet or be below VOC limits, includes documentation for low or no added urea formaldehyde. |
| Furniture | Furniture compliance is not required but is a recommended goal. If furniture is pursued for compliance by the project team, Furniture should have an ANSI/BIFMA e3 valid certificate. |
OPTIONAL: Raw Materials Sourcing
- Align with LEED credit Sourcing of Raw Materials.
| Sustainable Material Attributes | Types or Categories of Materials |
|---|---|
| Materials should make best efforts to have a sustainable attribute such as Bio Based content (bamboo, wool, cotton, etc.) or Recycled content. | Products like carpeting, flooring systems, wall treatments and finishes, acoustic treatments. For recycled content see, woods, metals, floor systems, wall systems, ceiling systems, furniture, and more. |
| Wood based materials should be selected from Responsible Forestry manufacturers. | Consider materials with responsible forestry certifications recognized in the region. |
| Certain product manufacturers may have a Manufacturer Take Back Program for end-of-life circular economy. Utilize these programs where possible. | Products like carpet, vinyl, floor tile, insulation, ceiling tiles, wall panels, etc. |
| Suggest that a minimum of 15% of the project's total materials budget be spent on products that have a trackable sustainable attribute. | Budget to be materials only, labor/install and transport not included. NOTE: not all materials are required to have a sustainable attribute. |
OPTIONAL: Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
- EPDs evaluate a products cradle to gate impact on the environment. EPDs must conform to ISO 14025 and EN 15804 or ISO 21930 or a local/regionally recognized equivalent and have at least a cradle to gate scope.
- Products with EPDs can help the project evaluate and reduce embodied carbon.
- EPDs must have third party external verification and be valid for the period of purchase and/or install on project.
- For projects with trouble procuring EPDs, consider utilizing the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) TM65 Standard for embodied carbon in MEP systems.
OPTIONAL: Material Ingredients
- Align with LEED credit Material Ingredients.
- Install interior products that have valid material ingredient disclosure documents.
- For a high level of achievement, projects may also utilize the EC3 tool to select materials for the product that show a reduced embodied carbon impact.
| Project Level | Best Practice Goal |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Install at least 20 products with valid Material Ingredient Disclosure documents such as Health Product Declarations (HPDs), Declare Labels, Cradle to Cradle Certificate, other similar disclosure documents, or a local or regional recognized equivalent. |
| Level 2 | Install at least 10 products with valid Material Ingredient Disclosure documents (see above). |
| Level 3 | Install at least 5 products with valid Material Ingredient Disclosure documents (see above). |
OPTIONAL: Embodied Carbon
- Utilize the EC3 tool to select products that show a reduced embodied carbon impact.
- Note that many countries are pushing for good practice and carbon accounting on upfront embodied / whole life cycle carbon.
- France’s RE2020 standard is one of the first countries to require that a target is met for embodied / whole life cycle carbon.
- For Level 1 projects, performing a whole building life cycle assessment of the project’s structure and enclosure can contribute to LEED credit Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction (v4.1).