Products
Consider the environmental impact and maintainability of materials for major elements
- energy efficient plant & products, e.g. A rated domestic appliances, boilers with a SEDBUK rating of A etc. (9 - website www.boilers.org.uk)
- water efficient products - select based on manufacturer's data and the Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) Water Technology List (6 - website www.eca-water.gov.uk)
- synthetic pipes (PE, polybutylene) instead of copper or stainless steel for water pipework (4 - page 86)
- avoidance of PVC for electrical wiring- alternatives are natural rubber, polyethylene, Polypropylene, synthetic rubber (11 - page 61)
- materials and products which are closest to their natural state (e.g. cork, mineral wool, wool) (3 - measure E1.7)
- client to undertake a life cycle analysis of the options to determine the embodied energy of materials (3 - measure C11.1)
- materials and products which are in whole or part recycled materials (e.g. recycled aggregates, recycled glass, recycled plastic pipes etc) (3 - measure E1.6, 1, 8 - website www.wrap.org.uk, 7 - website www.ecoconstruction.org)
- materials that can be recycled after use (4 - page 31, 8 - website www.wrap.org.uk, 7 - website www.ecoconstruction.org, 4 - page 31, 8 - website www.wrap.org.uk)
Select products from environmental conscious suppliers
- system for verifying the environmental credentials of potential manufacturers, contractors and suppliers (3 - measure E1.8)
Consider the environmental impact of major elements
- materials that achieve an A rating in the Green Guide for Specification (2 - credit MW1, 10, 5)
Ensure that timber from sustainable sources is used and obtained from suppliers recognised by an authoritative organisation.
- timber that comes from an FSC or equivalent (CSA, MTCC, PEFC) certified source (3 - measure E1.9, 2 - credit MW8)
Reference Documents
| Series Number | Publisher | Title | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIRIA | The reclaimed and recycled construction materials handbook | |
| 2 | BRE | BREEAM 2006 | |
| 3 | COP 6/99 | BSRIA | Environmental Code of Practice for Buildings and their Services |
| 4 | James & James | Handbook of Sustainable Building | |
| 5 | BRE | Green Guide to Housing Specification | |
| 6 | Envirowise | Envirowise | |
| 7 | Faber Maunsell | Recycled Materials for Construction | |
| 8 | WRAP | Waste & Resources Action Programme | |
| 9 | TBC | SEDBUK | |
| 10 | BRE | Green Guide to Specification | |
| 11 | E & FN Spon | Green Building Handbook V2 |