Resources
Resources and Links
Listed below are web links to external news, information,organizations and other resources pertaining to environmental protection and sustainability efforts across the green building industry. As an example, included here are links to non-profit and governmental organizations developing standards for, or providing research in support of, the protection of the environment and public health.
SCS does not necessarily endorse the content found on the following websites.
Green Building and Green Products
The American Institute of Architects
Establishes business standards for and represents professional interests of licensed American architects and allied partners.
ASTM International
Develops technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services used around the world.
Build It Green
Fosters stakeholder collaboration to accelerate adoption of green building practices, policies, and programs throughout California.
Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)
Provides sustainability criteria and design resources for schools in support of a national green-building rating program for K-12 schools.
Supports “green chemistry” in the design and manufacture of alternative products and promotes scientifically sound and cost-effective pollution reduction projects.
EPA Product Stewardship ProgramAims to reduce environmental impacts, calling for a shared responsibility among manufacturers, retailers, users and disposers of products.
Ecological Design InstituteFosters research and education in environmental design that integrates architecture, human and natural ecology in a whole-systems approach.
GreenSpec® DatabasePresents green design and construction news with GreenSpec® database of environmentally preferable products selected by BuildingGreen editors.
The Home DepotPromotes Eco Options labeling to identify products offering a range of certified sustainability benefits to consumers.
The American Indoor Air Quality CouncilEducates the public and develops certification programs for the management of indoor air quality.
NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Research CenterPushes new building technologies into the residential market by providing industry information to clients.
Sustainable Buildings Industry CouncilPresents LEEDS system and promotes sustainable construction of healthy, cost-effective buildings.
UNEP / SETAC Life Cycle InitiativeDevelops product life-cycle management framework and tools, including activities and databases of best available methods and information.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC, LEED)
Consensus-based group managing LEED building criteria.
Green Healthcare Standards and Compliance
Health Care Without Harm
Outlines sustainability goals developed by an international coalition to transform the health care sector and prevent harm to public health and the environment.
Healthcare Environmental Resource Center
Offers pollution prevention resources and compliance assistance information related to federal and state regulations of hospital wastes.
News and Research on Environmental Quality
Environmental News NetworkSelects environmental news reflecting current issues of social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Environmental Protection Agency WebsitePosts information issued by the EPA, the governmental agency charged with protecting U.S. environmental resources.
Society for Environmental Toxicology and ChemistryPursues analysis and solution of environmental problems and promotes sustainable environmental quality and ecosystem integrity.
Recycling and Reuse of Building Materials
Building Materials Reuse AssociationProvides information to facilitate the strategic deconstruction of buildings and the reuse or recycling of recovered building materials.
Construction Materials Trade Association (CMRA)Promotes safe and economically feasible means of recycling construction and demolition materials used in U.S. buildings.