Procure Products
in the Green Procurement CompilationLearn & Plan Topics
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Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside the building. It includes air quality, but also access to da...
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Materials & Resources
In the construction and day-to-day operations of buildings, many materials and resources are used and a great deal of waste is generated. The m...
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Energy & Atmosphere
Buildings and facilities rely on the operation of mechanical systems and electrical systems to maintain a high level of indoor environmental qual...
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Water Efficiency
Buildings are significant users of the Earth’s freshwater supply. The goal of a responsible building operator should be to encourage a sma...
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Sustainable Sites
Choosing a building's site and managing that site during construction are important to ensure a project’s sustainability. Environmentally r...
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Buildings' Energy Use
Buildings represent about 76% of electricity use and 40% of U.S. primary energy use, making it essential to reduce energy consumption to reduce cost... -
Buildings' Water Use
Water use in commercial and institutional facilities, such as office buildings and hospitals, acc...
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U.S. Waste and Recycling
The U.S. generated approximately 251 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2012. Almost 87 million tons were recycled and composted, whi...
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Time Indoors
People in the U.S. spend about 90% of their time indoors.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency (1987). The Total...
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Occupant Comfort
Comfortable workers are more likely to be productive and engaged with their work than those who struggle to work in spaces that create barr...
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Integrative Design Process
Integrative thinking looks for synergies among strategies - strategies that enhance one another. It also looks for strategies that, taken together, ... -
Space Reconfiguration and Renovation Projects
As needs change over time, tenants often need to convert space or phase the conversion of individual space or rooms to meet these changing needs....
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Under 10,000 SF Interiors Gut Rehab Project
This page provides Sustainable Strategies to consider as a space has or will undergo a major tenant gut rehab for projects under 10,000 SF.
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Building Systems Upgrades
This page details Sustainable Strategies to consider as your space undergoes a building system upgrade to improve energy, water use, and occupant co... -
Building Operations and Maintenance Services
Follow these sustainable strategies as your space renovations are complete and the building and interiors are operated in an environmentally sustai... -
Policies & Strategies
This section is devoted to the broad policies and strategies covering the whole government or entire agencies, services or bureaus, which set the co... -
Tools & Training
This section covers and links to systems, methods, databases, calculators, checklists, etc. designed to help Federal officials and their partners ac... -
Best Practices & Case Studies
One of the best ways to learn and make the case for high-performance building innovations is to point to others’ experience in implementing th... -
Responsible Business Conduct
This responsible business conduct module provides a framework for how best practices and resources for improving business conduct can be incorporate...
Green Products
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Adhesive and Mastic Removers
in Cleaning Products -
Bathroom and Spa Cleaners
in Cleaning Products -
Biomass
in Renewable Energy -
Carpet
in Building Finishes -
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners, General Purpose
in Cleaning Products -
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners, Spot Removers
in Cleaning Products -
Carpet Cushion
in Building Finishes -
Composite Panels
in Building Finishes -
Floor Strippers
in Cleaning Products -
Floor Tiles (Heavy Duty/Commercial)
in Building Finishes -
Floor Tiles
in Building Finishes -
Geothermal
in Renewable Energy -
Glass Cleaners
in Cleaning Products -
Graffiti and Grease Removers
in Cleaning Products -
Household Cleaners, General Purpose
in Cleaning Products -
Hydroelectric
in Renewable Energy -
Ink Removers and Cleaners
in Cleaning Products -
Landfill Gas
in Renewable Energy -
Mats
in Building Finishes -
Wood and Concrete Sealers: Membrane Concrete Sealers
in Construction Materials -
Multipurpose Cleaners
in Cleaning Products -
Municipal Solid Waste
in Renewable Energy -
Ocean (Tidal, Wave, Current, or Thermal)
in Renewable Energy -
Office Furniture Components
in Building Furnishings -
Wood and Concrete Sealers: Penetrating Liquids
in Construction Materials -
Solar Photovoltaic
in Renewable Energy -
Structural Fiberboard
in Building Finishes -
Structural Fiberboard
in Construction Materials -
Wind
in Renewable Energy -
Composite Panels: Acoustical
in Building Finishes -
Mats: Blends
in Building Finishes -
Carpet Cushion: Bonded Polyurethane
in Building Finishes -
Office Furniture Components: Cellulose Loose-Fill and Spray-On
in Building Furnishings -
Office Furniture Components: Fabric
in Building Furnishings -
Office Furniture Components: Furniture Structure
in Building Furnishings -
Composite Panels: Interior Panels
in Building Finishes -
Carpet Cushion: Jute
in Building Finishes -
Office Furniture Components: Particleboard/Fiberboard Component
in Building Furnishings -
Floor Tiles (Heavy Duty/Commercial): Plastic
in Building Finishes -
Mats: Plastic
in Building Finishes -
Office Furniture Components: Plastic Furniture Component
in Building Furnishings -
Composite Panels: Plastic Lumber
in Building Finishes -
Carpet: Polyester Carpet Face Fiber
in Building Finishes -
Office Furniture Components: Remanufactured or Refurbished Furniture
in Building Furnishings -
Carpet Cushion: Rubber
in Building Finishes -
Floor Tiles (Heavy Duty/Commercial): Rubber
in Building Finishes -
Mats: Rubber
in Building Finishes -
Composite Panels: Structural Interior Panels
in Building Finishes -
Composite Panels: Structural Wall Panels
in Building Finishes -
Carpet Cushion: Synthetic Fibers
in Building Finishes -
Carpet: Woven, Tufted, or Knitted Fiber and a Backing System
in Building Finishes -
Wood and Concrete Sealers
in Construction Materials -
Floor Cleaners and Protectors
in Cleaning Products -
Dishwashing Products
in Cafeteria Products -
Dishwashing Products
in Cleaning Products -
Floor Coverings (Non-Carpet)
in Building Finishes -
Wood and Concrete Stains
in Building Finishes -
Wood and Concrete Stains
in Construction Materials -
Paint
in Building Finishes -
Paint: Consolidated Latex Paint
in Building Finishes -
Paint: Reprocessed Latex Paint -- Dark Colors
in Building Finishes -
Paint: Reprocessed Latex Paint -- White, Off-White, and Pastel Colors
in Building Finishes -
Concrete and Asphalt Cleaners
in Construction Materials -
Concrete and Asphalt Cleaners
in Cleaning Products -
Concrete and Asphalt Cleaners
in Roadway Construction -
Paint: Interior Paints and Coatings -- Latex
in Building Finishes -
Paint: Interior Paints and Coatings -- Water-borne Alkyd
in Building Finishes -
Paint: Interior Paints and Coatings -- Oil-Based
in Building Finishes -
Paint: Interior Paints and Coatings -- Solvent-borne Alkyd
in Building Finishes -
Floor Tiles: Plastic
in Building Finishes -
Floor Tiles: Rubber
in Building Finishes -
Composite Panels: Countertops
in Building Finishes -
Dishwashing Products: Dish Detergent
in Cleaning Products -
Dishwashing Products: Dish Detergent
in Cafeteria Products -
Dishwashing Products: Dish Soap
in Cafeteria Products -
Dishwashing Products: Dish Soap
in Cleaning Products -
Dishwashing Products: Rinse Aids
in Cleaning Products -
Dishwashing Products: Rinse Aids
in Cafeteria Products -
Carpet: Nylon
in Building Finishes -
Dishwashing Products: Commercial Dishwasher Detergent
in Cleaning Products -
Dishwashing Products: Commercial Dishwasher Detergent
in Cafeteria Products
Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings
The Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings are a set of sustainable principles for integrated design, energy performance, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, materials, and climate change adaptation aimed at helping Federal agencies and organizations:
- Reduce the total ownership cost of facilities
- Improve energy efficiency and water conservation
- Provide safe, healthy, and productive built environments
- Promote sustainable environmental stewardship
Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions
Determining Compliance with the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings
Whole Building Systems
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Lighting - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
The lighting systems must be commissioned, and integrative design processes should be employed. A 30% reduction in energy use compared to ASHRAE ...
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Lighting - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
Assessing existing lighting conditions and incorporating a building management plan to ensure lighting component upgrades are carried out as desig...
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HVAC - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
HVAC systems must be commissioned, and integrative design principles should be employed. A 30% reduction in energy use compared to ASHRAE Standa...
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HVAC - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
At least 15% of each agency’s existing building facilities and building leases (above 5,000 gsf) must comply with the Guiding Principles for...
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Water - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
As per EISA 2007, thirty percent of the hot water demand should be met using the installation of solar hot water heaters when lifecycle cost-effec...
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Water - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
Install water meters. Use water efficient products. Reduce indoor potable water use by 20% compared to the specific building’s water use ...
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IEQ - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
Adhere to ASHRAE Standard 55 and either 62.1 or 62.2 Control moisture to minimize mold contamination and building damage. Maximize daylighting,...
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IEQ - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
Upgrade buildings to meet ASHRAE Standard 55 and either 62.1 or 62.2 Recommended actions include moisture control policies, maximized daylighting...
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Solid Waste - The Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
50% of waste must be diverted during construction and 50% of non-hazardous materials must be diverted during building operation. Provisions must ...
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Solid Waste - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
50% of waste must be diverted during construction and 50% of non-hazardous materials must be diverted during building operation. Provisions must ...
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Solid Waste - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
Provisions must be provided for reuse and recycling services for building occupants to achieve at least 50% of non-hazardous material diversion. ...
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Planted Roof - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
Allow sustainable landscape design principles and meet or exceed EISA section 438 stormwater management requirements. The principles encourage t...
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Planted Roof - The Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
Promote strategies to reduce stormwater runoff and discharges of polluted water offsite to protect the natural hydrology and watershed health. T...
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Planted Roof - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
Promote strategies to reduce stormwater runoff and discharges of polluted water offsite to protect the natural hydrology and watershed health. T...
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Submetering - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
The Principles require installation of building level meters for electricity, natural gas, and steam using advanced or standard meters as appropri...
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Submetering - Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
The Principles encourage the installation of building level meters for electricity, natural gas, and steam using advanced or standard meters as ap...
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Lighting - Executive Order 13834
Executive Order (EO) 13834, "Efficient Federal Operations", directed Federal agencies to pursue "reductions in building energy use and implement ene...
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HVAC - Executive Order 13834
Executive Order (EO) 13834, "Efficient Federal Operations", directed Federal agencies to pursue "reductions in building energy use and implement ene...
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Water - Executive Order 13834
Executive Order (EO) 13834, "Efficient Federal Operations", directed Federal agencies to "reduce potable and non-potable water consumption". The EO ...
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Solid Waste - Executive Order 13834
Executive Order (EO) 13834, "Efficient Federal Operations", directed Federal agencies to "implement waste prevention and recycling measures and comp...
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Submetering - Executive Order 13834
Executive Order (EO) 13834, "Efficient Federal Operations", directed Federal agencies to pursue "reductions in building energy use and implement ene...
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Solid Waste - SITES Rating System
The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) is an interdisciplinary effort by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird...
Materials
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IT Equipment
Office equipment, such as computers and display monitors, can be energy intensive. Many newly manufactured computers and monitors are ENERGY STAR... -
Entrance Mats
Entrance Mats located at the main doors of the building, either on the exterior or interior, trap the contaminants from foot traffic. Dust, dirt ...