Construction has a profound impact on our natural environment. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings in the U.S. consume more than 30 percent of our total energy and 60 percent of our electricity annually. In addition, buildings consume five billion gallons of drinking water per day to flush toilets. During commercial construction, each square foot of floor space generates up to 2.5 pounds of solid waste.
To help reduce the impact buildings have on the environment, the city of Phoenix has adopted green building standards In addition, Phoenix purchases environmentally friendly paints and recycled content products for use inside buildings.
Carpet
- Find Green Label and Green Label Plus products at the Carpet and Rug Institute.
- The EcoLogo program certifies environmentally preferred commercial modular carpet systems.
- Purchasing recycled content carpet products supports the city's recycling program. Visit Phoenix Recycles for more information on recycling and its benefits.
- Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines - Carpet Cushion
- Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines - Polyester Carpet
Check with your local retailer for information on carpet take-back programs, or visit: Carpet America Recovery Effort (C.A.R.E.)
Paint
- Find environmentally preferred paint products at Green Seal or EcoLogo.
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- Find energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems information through Energy Star.
Lighting
- Find out more information about compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and locations where you can drop off your used CFLs by going to this APS web site.
Wood Products
- A list of sustainably managed wood manufacturers and products can be found at the Forest Stewardship Council or the Rainforest Alliance.
The Greenguard program certifies a wide variety of building materials and consumer products for low emissions of volatile organic compounds and other toxic air pollutants. Using materials with this certification can contribute to healthier indoor air quality.
