Jarret TT Camp

Archive for August, 2009

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), green building is “the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.”(1)

The EPA goes on to list the seven primary components of green building including energy efficiency and renewable energy; water efficiency; environmentally friendly building materials and specifications; waste reduction; toxics reduction; indoor air quality; and smart growth and sustainable development.

But exactly what makes a building “green?”

The EPA describes a green building as “a structure that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout its life-cycle…Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by efficiently using energy, water, and other resources; protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity; [and] reducing waste, pollution and environment degradation. For example, green buildings may incorporate sustainable materials in their construction (e.g., reused, recycled-content, or made from renewable resources); create healthy indoor environments with minimal pollutants (e.g., reduced product emissions); and/or feature landscaping that reduces water usage (e.g., by using native plants that survive without extra watering).”(2)