GREEN SPEAK—
DEFINING, EXPLAINING, AND ENCOURAGING GREEN CONCEPTS

Most people have heard the term “sustainability” before. Many even have a basic idea of what it means. Trying to find one definition of the word can be challenging, but the one most often cited is the one that is attributed to the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). The WCED—also called the Brundtland Commission after its chairman, former prime minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland—was convened by the United Nations in 1983, and first published its report, Our Common Future, in 1987. In this report, members defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This definition has been adapted to fit the definition of sustainability in many different arenas, since the basic concept translates well to all kinds of sustainability.

How then do we meet our own needs without compromising the ability of our children, and our children’s children, to meet their needs? In our day-to-day lives we can follow the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle guidelines. In the world of design, there are many options as well, most often presenting themselves by way of the manufacturers’ materials and processes. Increasingly, companies of all shapes and sizes, from an array of industries, are becoming aware of the need for sustainable business practices.

Waves of green are washing over the business world, and the design industry is no exception.

Designers can do their part by sourcing companies that have “gone green.” There are carpets and other flooring options made from recycled materials. There are paints and stains with low-VOC or zero-VOC ratings on the market. There are wood products such as shutters, mouldings, furniture, and flooring that are manufactured using sustainable forestry practices. There are fabrics created through environmentally friendly practices. The sources are many, and cover every aspect of design.

Finding manufacturers who use sustainable practices is easier than you may think. There are a variety of sources for designers to access. The Trade Only Design Library (TODL, as it is known to designers) has an entire “green” division. TODLgreen is a paperless way for designers to do their research and is carefully maintained under the watchful eye of its director, Kim Gordon. One of Gordon’s primary concerns is assessing and researching the environmental impact of the products she includes in TODL’s Green Gallery. Another excellent resource for designers is the Sustainable Furniture Council. According to its website, “the Sustainable Furniture Council is a non-profit balanced coalition of industry players created to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike with a public tagging program to identify good choices.”

These are just two of many resources out there for designers who are looking to join in on what is fast becoming a world trend toward sustainability. Choosing products that incorporate sustainability now will mean a greener future for ourselves and our children.

WANT TO BREATHE EASIER?
AVOID OFF-GASSED VOCs

Before we hold our noses and run head-long into the world of off-gassing, there are two definitions we should know.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs):
Potentially toxic gases that are emitted from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.

OFF-GASSING: THE EVAPORATION OF VOLATILE CHEMICALS IN NON-METALLIC MATERIALS AT NORMAL ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE.
Now, let’s talk off-gassing. You’ve smelled the often overpowering odors of paints and stains. Perhaps, if you have a keen nose, you’ve smelled odd scents coming from the likes of furniture and carpeting, and don’t forget that new car smell. Those odors are the beginnings of the off-gassing process. It is estimated, for example, that “paint emissions can continue for extended periods of time after application. Less than 50% of the VOCs in latex paint (applied to a surface) are emitted in the first year,” as reported by Green Seal after a study regarding environmental standards for latex paint and an environment evaluation of recycled content latex paint. Green Seal also reported: “The health effects of indoor organic pollutants, paints, and other commonly used household products vary from highly toxic to relatively benign, and can be compounded by many factors such as length and level of exposure.”

Paints, stains, furniture, carpeting, flooring, and fabrics—among others—can all be perpetrators of off-gassing, but don’t despair just yet. Furniture makers, paint and stain companies, fabricators, and the textile industry are all becoming increasingly aware of potential hazards and toxicity that can accompany off-gassing. They are making adjustments.

Some furniture makers are starting to upholster with vegetable-tanned leather. Vegetable tannins are extracted from plants, and their use eliminates the need for heavy metals in the tanning process. Some textiles manufacturers are moving toward organic fabrics and earth-friendly dyeing practices. Fewer chemicals going into the making of a fabric equates to less off-gassing from a fabric when it’s hanging in a client’s bedroom. New environmental regulations coupled with consumer demand have led many paint manufacturers to offer at least one low-VOC or zero-VOC paint in their product line.

Every client could benefit from fewer incidences of off-gassed VOCs in their homes. Clients with allergies, and clients with children and pets, will be especially grateful to a designer who can offer some simple ways to protect their loved ones from the often overlooked problem of off-gassing.

THE CARBON FOOTPRINT
LEAVING SMALLER SHOES TO FILL

What is a carbon footprint, exactly? By definition, a carbon footprint is a measure of the impact a person has on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by their daily activities. It is measured in units of carbon dioxide, and it includes activities such as heating and air-conditioning a home, turning on a light, powering appliances and electronics, driving a car, or taking an airline flight.

Of course most, if not all, of these activities seem both obvious and only minimally alterable. Let’s face it—encouraging people to do away with air conditioning would be an awfully tough sell. Here are some tips for designers to do their part in creating a greener future, while helping their clients conserve in the present.

ADDRESS HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING CONCERNS WITH SIMPLE DESIGN-RELATED PRODUCTS:
1. Window film can reduce the amount of incoming solar radiation, keeping air-conditioning costs down. Window film also protects furniture, window treatments, artwork, flooring, and people from harmful UV-A rays.

2. Blackout linings, draperies, and solar shades can block incoming solar radiation to keep air-conditioning costs down. On the flipside, they can prevent heat from escaping, which in turn can keep heating costs down.

ADDRESS LIGHTING AND POWER CONCERNS THROUGH ELEMENTS OF DESIGN:
1. Strategic placement of light fixtures and lamps can cut lighting costs through reduced need. In other words, if you can provide adequate light with one lamp, why turn on two? Also, knowing which light fixtures get the most use will help decide which lighting solutions will best suit each client’s lighting and energy conservation needs.

2. Look for the ENERGY STAR on appliances, electronics, light fixtures, and light bulbs. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. The goal of the program is to save people money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products.

3. Know your green “speak” and share your knowledge. For example, learn about compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED light bulbs (see page 90), and when to encourage their use. Know what appliances and electronics are secretly sucking up energy, even when they are off. Helping clients make outlets and power strips readily accessible without being an eyesore can keep everyone in the green, in more ways than one.

There are a number of ways to reduce the size of a carbon footprint. Simple design elements, especially window coverings, can help conserve energy. People can make lifestyle changes, calculate their carbon footprints, and even buy carbon offset credits from emission reduction projects. Being aware of the carbon footprints we leave in our wake is the first step toward a green and bright future. WF