There is a phenomenon called “climate anxiety.” Just like the climate crisis itself, it is a very real and serious problem. At the risk of oversimplification, climate anxiety is the stress a person feels in response to the seemingly insurmountable threat of climate change.
You might say, “climate change is a big enough problem. What does it matter how we feel about it?” The answer is simple. Fear and anxiety can be paralyzing. Part of solving the environmental crisis (and we can solve it) is putting the despair aside and taking individual actions that will help.
As an architect or a designer, your specifications make a tremendous difference. By considering the environmental impact of materials, you can make your building more sustainable. The trick is determining which materials are better for the environment than others. The LEED certification program from the USGBC is a good place to start. Another way to identify eco-friendly materials is seeking out independent environmental certifications.
Using certifications as an indicator of environmentally responsible materials is a great way to verify claims made by manufacturers. In the flooring industry, here are a few key certifications to look out for:
Floorscore: Developed by SCS Global and the Resilient Floor Coverings Institute (RFCI), FloorScore focuses on indoor air quality, like compliance with the California 01350 standards. It qualifies for LEED v4, the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS), and meets GSA requirements for the EPA ecolabel.
GREENGUARD GOLD: Another certification that focuses on indoor air quality is UL Solutions’ GREENGUARD GOLD. Like Floorscore, it certifies compliance with California Section 01350. A certified floor contributes to LEED points as a low-emitting material by minimizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor spaces.
ISO-14001: This certification applies to manufacturing. ISO-14001 indicates that a manufacturing operation has an environmental plan in place. The plan can include water conservation, energy efficiency, waste-management, and other factors that affect the environment. Choosing a floor manufactured in an ISO-14001 facility confirms that the manufacturer accounts for environmental impact in production.
GreenCircle: GreenCircle is a series of certifications that highlights a variety of environmental attributes. There are specific certifications for recycled materials, closed loop production, carbon footprint reduction, sustainable energy, life cycle assessment, and others. For example, Regupol’s Aktiv flooring is certified its use of recycled materials.
FSC Chain of Custody: The Forest Stewardship Council offer a certification that examines the supply chain for wood flooring. From the forest, to the lumber mill, to the job site, FSC Chain of Custody verifies responsible resource conservation at every step in the process. If a project requires wood flooring, FSC can help insure that it is manufactured in the right way.