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Tapping into Green Construction
A growing number of private and corporate clients are insisting that contractors construct their buildings using a combination of recycled and environmentally friendly new materials.

Savvy contractors need to find ways to incorporate sustainable building practices and products into their business models. A good first step is to understand how and why certain materials and products are certified "green."

"Green" Certification

Construction-related products and materials are certified as environmentally friendly in three ways:

• First-party certification involves manufacturers certifying that their products meet certain environmental criteria.
• Second-party certification means that a trade association or other organization certifies products as meeting "green" standards.
• Third-party certification entails unbiased, independent laboratory testing of products or a detailed analysis of manufacturers' claims that cannot be verified through testing to ensure the products are objectively considered to be environmentally friendly.

Contractors should focus on third-party certification when selecting products and materials to use in their projects. It is considered the most thorough and rigorous of the three certification methods. Most contractors are already familiar with ENERGY STAR -- a joint program between the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy -- which certifies as energy efficient a range of products and materials. However, contractors should also familiarize themselves with other third-party certifiers, such as the Forest Stewardship Council, which certifies wood products as being harvested from sustainably managed forests. In addition, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) offers rigorous evaluation and certification services to numerous manufacturers. SCS certifies a wide range of construction materials for recycled content and their impact on indoor air quality.

Become LEED Certified

Contractors that incorporate certifiably "green" products and materials in their projects can earn credits toward being approved by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). An increasing number of property owners and developers are requiring this certification from their construction contractors.

LEED certification is granted to contractors for meeting standards in one or more of six different categories: innovation in design, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, and materials and resources.