How "Green Products" Can Be Misleading

The Going Green phase in home construction has many people confused about what Green really means. Many are struggling to find the balance between renewable, sustainable, recyclable, LEED, NAHB Green Program, Energy Star, energy efficient, net zero, carbon foot print, certified products, low VOC, air quality and a myriad of other green words.

So what is the ultimate goal trying to be achieved? Navigating through saving the environment, cleaner and healthier products, energy efficiency, sustainable products, recycled products and chain of custody can be difficult. Special interest groups want to push their agenda within the green communities and business are trying to gain some profit from the emphasis being put on this topic. Finding the proper information is important for balancing our lives in a green world.

Similar to the health and wellness industry that one day says this vitamin is drastically important and then next month it is not, living green is in this phase today. Do some research and understand what “Green” really means. Going green is here to stay and needs to be in the minds of every person on this globe if a change is really going to take place.

Don’t believe everything you read or hear. Study the basic of what makes a product green, then study the product and make sure it fits the proper criteria. Many companies use the Green catch phase to help promote their product but when looking into the product they are not so green. Many will use recycled products in the manufacturing process but this recycled amount may be very low. Some vinyl products claiming to be green may only have 10% - 15% recycled base in their product. Where as another with a similar product may have 40% - 50% recycled base. Which product has taken green serious?

Look for green certified products and then read as much as possible about the product. Talk with the supplier of the product and ask for certification documents or literature to help make the decision. Compare several similar products and see which has made the most effort in “Being Green”. You can find a lot of great information on the internet. Doing the research is very important, because no inspector will do this for you. You can also find great information from expert blogs. One great blog with green building reviews and product information is Green Building Ideas. greenbuildingideas.info

Building Green can create a very energy efficient, safe home with the proper information.