MaterialSpaceDetails - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool

Design Guidance

Overall Strategies

Restroom accessories are the non-fixture hardware components of the restroom. Focus on sustainable materials and their placement. Toilet partitions can be wall- or ceiling-mounted. Hand-drying accessories may include manual and automated paper dispensers as well as hand dryers.

Toilet Partitions

Toilet partitions can be floor-mounted, wall-mounted, or ceiling-mounted for ease of cleaning. Floor mounted toilet partitions are structurally supported at the base by the floor and are easier to install. Toilet partitions are manufactured from a wide variety of materials including metal, plastic, phenolic, and bio-based. Look for products that are easy to clean, moisture resistant, and that are manufactured locally with recycled content or from rapidly renewable materials.

Toilet / Shower Accessories

Toilet and shower accessories include soap dispensers, soap dishes, hand dryers, paper towel dispensers, trash cans, etc. These items may contain recycled content if they are made of metal or plastic. Hand dryers allow for drying without using paper products which reduces waste. Although automated paper towel dispensers typically use non-rechargeable batteries, they can also reduce waste by controlling the amount of paper dispensed.

Best Practices

Use accessories that contain recycled material, are manufactured locally, and are easy to maintain.
Consider installing lockers for employees that commute by bicycle.
Consider using high efficiency hand dryers to eliminate the need for paper towels. If paper towels are used, use un-bleached towels that are made from 100% post-consumer recycled content.
Select toilet room partitions that are highly durable and water resistant.
Use hard-wired or manual fixtures in restrooms. Battery operated fixtures are more difficult to maintain.

Compare Restroom Accessories Options

- Floor Mounted
- Paper Towel Hand Drying
- Air Hand Drying

EB = Existing BuildingsNC = New Construction and Major Renovation

Federal Requirements

Guiding Principles

Materials - Recycled Content ( Guiding Principles criteria 5.1)

Section: Guiding Principles 5:  Reduce the Environmental Impact of Materials

“Use products that meet or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recycled content recommendations for building construction, modifications, operations, and maintenance, where applicable and as required by statute.”
See the Green Procurement Compilation (GPC) for recycled content recommendations by product type.
US EPA | Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines
Products ( Guiding Principles criteria 5.3)

Section: Guiding Principle 5:  Reduce the Environmental Impact of Materials

“Procure and utilize construction materials and building supplies that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment over their life cycle when compared with competing products that serve the same purpose.”

See the Green Procurement Compilation (GPC) for federal requirements by product type.
Whole Building Design Guide | Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers
EPA Greener Products and Services
2018 IgCC Section 901

Restroom Accessories