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Pillar
Tier
Project

Pillar 5

Materials & Environmental Impact

Lower the embodied-carbon footprint of new construction, avoid hazardous legacy materials, and source certified wood and floor finishes.

8 requirements · 4 badges

Requirements

Grouped by the tier at which they first become mandatory. Tap any row to slide in the full detail.

Certified (4)

  • Lead Paint Assessment (Pre-1978 Homes)

    Review and resolve any potential lead-paint issues. Document via the Lead Abatement acknowledgement template.

    Open

  • Asbestos Mitigation

    Mitigate any asbestos found, or document that none is present.

    Open

  • Knob-and-Tube Wiring Removed

    No knob-and-tube wiring remains active in the home.

    Open

  • Embodied Carbon Reduction

    Reduction in upfront embodied carbon below the 154 kg CO₂e/m² baseline. Approved tools: Beam Estimator, EC3, PHPP (PH Ribbon). Alternative pathways available at Silver (no concrete, RECs, solar offset, small home).

    Open

Silver (2)

  • Building Maintenance Instructions

    Create written instructions documenting how to maintain the building, equipment, and finishes.

    Open

  • Homeowner / Tenant Training

    Train the homeowner or tenant on how to operate and maintain the building.

    Open

Gold (1)

  • Certified Wood (No Tropical Species)

    New wood products are FSC or SFI certified. No tropical wood.

    Open

Platinum (1)

  • Floorscore or Green Label Plus Carpet

    Any new carpet is Floorscore or Green Label Plus certified.

    Open

Badges in this pillar

  • Accessibility

    Universal design features — zero-step entries, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms — supporting aging in place.

    Open

  • Foam-free

    Built without spray-foam or rigid-foam insulation — uses fiber, cellulose, mineral wool, or other low-impact alternatives.

    Open

  • Walkability

    Project sited where occupants can reach daily destinations on foot, bike, or transit.

    Open

  • Sustainable Materials

    Materials are reclaimed, biobased, third-party certified, or otherwise selected for low environmental impact.

    Open
Materials & Environmental Impact Required from Certified

Lead Paint Assessment (Pre-1978 Homes)

Review and resolve any potential lead-paint issues. Document via the Lead Abatement acknowledgement template.

Scope

Lead paint and lead in plumbing fittings in dwellings built before 1978 (the year the U.S. banned residential lead-based paint).

Requirements

  1. 01.

    For pre-1978 dwellings: assess for lead-based paint on interior and exterior surfaces, including doors, windows, trim, and porches.

  2. 02.

    XRF analyzer testing OR EPA lead-paint test kit acceptable for screening; positive results require a certified lead inspector to confirm.

  3. 03.

    Any disturbance of lead-painted surfaces during the renovation must be performed by EPA RRP-certified contractors using lead-safe work practices.

  4. 04.

    Document final clearance: post-work dust-wipe sampling showing lead levels below the EPA clearance threshold (10 µg/sq ft for floors, 100 µg/sq ft for window sills).

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Lead paint test results (XRF, test kit, or lead inspector report).

  2. 02.

    EPA Lead Abatement acknowledgement template (signed by Owner/Project Team confirming awareness).

  3. 03.

    For lead-safe renovation work: RRP-certified contractor credentials + final clearance dust-wipe results.

Guidance

Why pre-1978 matters

The U.S. banned lead in residential paint in 1978. About 24 million U.S. homes built before that year still contain lead-based paint, primarily on window trim and doors where friction creates lead dust. Childhood lead exposure causes permanent neurological harm even at low levels — current CDC reference value is 3.5 µg/dL of blood, but no safe lead exposure level has been identified.

Resources

Note

Lead in plumbing solder was banned in 1986, and lead in pipes (1986 Safe Drinking Water Act). Pre-1986 plumbing with lead solder or lead service lines is a separate concern — covered under the Gold tap-water filtration requirement.

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Materials & Environmental Impact Required from Certified

Asbestos Mitigation

Mitigate any asbestos found, or document that none is present.

Scope

Asbestos-containing materials in existing dwellings, typically built before the U.S. asbestos phase-out (1989-current, depending on product).

Requirements

  1. 01.

    For pre-1990 dwellings (and any later construction with suspect materials): a certified asbestos inspector must assess for ACM (asbestos-containing materials) in vinyl floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, pipe insulation, HVAC tape, roofing, and exterior siding.

  2. 02.

    Any ACM that is friable (crumbling) or being disturbed by the project must be abated by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

  3. 03.

    Stable, non-friable ACM that is not being disturbed may be left in place (encapsulated) — the certification standard is no exposure, not necessarily no asbestos.

  4. 04.

    Project team must document the abatement and provide air-clearance test results post-abatement.

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Certified asbestos inspector report identifying all sampled materials, with lab test results (PLM or TEM analysis).

  2. 02.

    For abatement: contractor license + waste manifest showing proper disposal at a licensed facility.

  3. 03.

    Post-abatement air-clearance test results (< 0.01 fibers/cc).

Guidance

Why "no exposure" is the actual goal

Asbestos becomes a health risk when its fibers become airborne. Asbestos floor tiles in good condition under a layer of laminate are not a hazard. The same tiles being scraped up by a contractor without proper containment can release millions of fibers and cause mesothelioma exposure decades later. The standard requires that any ACM disturbance be done by licensed professionals.

Note

Suspect materials commonly missed: HVAC duct tape (especially silver cloth-backed tape from the 1960s-80s), Linoleum backing in 9x9 vinyl tile installations, transite siding (asbestos cement board) on mid-century homes, popcorn ceilings sprayed before 1980.

Resources

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Materials & Environmental Impact Required from Certified

Knob-and-Tube Wiring Removed

No knob-and-tube wiring remains active in the home.

Scope

Knob-and-tube electrical wiring in existing dwellings (common in U.S. homes built 1880-1940).

Requirements

  1. 01.

    A licensed electrician must inspect the home for active knob-and-tube (K&T) wiring.

  2. 02.

    Any active K&T wiring must be replaced with modern grounded wiring before certification.

  3. 03.

    Inactive (disconnected) K&T may remain in place if confirmed by the electrician to be permanently disconnected from the panel.

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Electrician's inspection report confirming presence/absence of active K&T.

  2. 02.

    For replacement work: electrical permit + final inspection sign-off.

Guidance

Why K&T is dangerous in a modern home

K&T wiring was rated for the loads of 1900-1940 (lights, irons, the occasional radio). It has no ground conductor, deteriorates over decades, and was never designed to operate in contact with insulation. Modern homes overload K&T circuits and trap heat in insulation around the wires — leading fire risk in pre-1940 housing stock.

Note

Insurance carriers increasingly refuse coverage or charge punitive premiums on homes with active K&T. Replacement during a renovation typically runs $5,000-$15,000 depending on access. It pays for itself in insurance savings and home value within a few years.

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Materials & Environmental Impact Required from Certified

Embodied Carbon Reduction

Reduction in upfront embodied carbon below the 154 kg CO₂e/m² baseline. Approved tools: Beam Estimator, EC3, PHPP (PH Ribbon). Alternative pathways available at Silver (no concrete, RECs, solar offset, small home).

Spec by tier

TierSpec
CertifiedEmbodied-carbon evaluation required
Silver10% reduction from baseline
Gold15% reduction from baseline
Platinum30% reduction from baseline

Scope

Upfront embodied carbon (A1-A5 life-cycle stages) of new construction or major addition. Existing structure being kept in place is exempt by definition (zero new embodied carbon).

Requirements

Performance targets

  1. 01.

    At Certified: complete an embodied-carbon evaluation using an approved tool (Beam Estimator, EC3, PHPP / PH Ribbon). The evaluation must report total upfront kg CO₂e/m² for the project.

  2. 02.

    At Silver: reduce embodied carbon by at least 10% below the GreenStar baseline of 154 kg CO₂e/m².

  3. 03.

    At Gold: reduce by at least 15% below baseline.

  4. 04.

    At Platinum: reduce by at least 30% below baseline.

  5. 05.

    Alternative pathways accepted at Silver: build without concrete, OR purchase renewable energy credits equal to project embodied carbon, OR install solar PV offsetting embodied carbon over 30 years.

  6. 06.

    Small-home exemption: single-family ≤ 800 sf and multifamily units averaging ≤ 600 sf are exempt from the Silver+ percentage-reduction requirements (still complete the evaluation at Certified).

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Embodied-carbon report from an approved tool (Beam, EC3, PHPP) showing the project's upfront kg CO₂e/m² and the comparison to baseline.

  2. 02.

    Bill of materials including quantities (cubic yards of concrete, board feet of lumber, etc.) used in the calculation.

  3. 03.

    For alternative pathways at Silver: REC purchase certificate, solar system sizing calculation, or no-concrete design documentation.

Guidance

Why embodied carbon matters now

For a new high-efficiency home, embodied carbon (the carbon emitted to make the building materials) typically exceeds the operational carbon (heating/cooling/electric) for the first 30 years of the building's life. As the grid decarbonizes and homes become more efficient, embodied carbon becomes a larger share of total lifecycle impact. Choosing low-carbon concrete, wood-frame vs steel-frame, and reused materials makes a measurable difference.

The biggest reduction levers

Concrete is typically 30-50% of a home's embodied carbon. Switching from standard Portland cement concrete to a low-carbon mix (Type IL cement, fly ash or slag replacement at 30-50%, or specifying max OPC content) can cut concrete EC by 30-60% with no structural impact. Wood framing has dramatically lower EC than steel; insulation choice (mineral wool vs XPS foam) varies by 10x.

Resources

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Materials & Environmental Impact Required from Silver

Building Maintenance Instructions

Create written instructions documenting how to maintain the building, equipment, and finishes.

Scope

Written documentation of how to maintain the building, equipment, and finishes — handed off to the homeowner or tenant at project completion.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    Create a building maintenance manual covering: HVAC filter changes, water heater service intervals, gutter cleaning schedule, exterior caulk inspection, smoke/CO detector battery replacement, recommended deep-cleaning cadence for finishes.

  2. 02.

    Include manufacturer warranties, model numbers, and contact information for major appliances and systems.

  3. 03.

    Document the GreenStar certification level and which requirements were met (so future owners understand the home's features).

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Completed maintenance manual (PDF or printed binder) delivered to the homeowner/tenant.

  2. 02.

    Homeowner/tenant signature confirming receipt.

Guidance

Why this is a Silver requirement, not Certified

The most well-designed green home will quietly degrade if the owner doesn't know which filter to buy or that the HRV needs filter changes too. The maintenance manual is the bridge between certification day and 10 years later — the difference between a home that holds its performance and one that drifts toward average.

Note

Many builders use a generic builder warranty book and bury the maintenance information. A standalone "GreenStar Owner's Manual" with the home-specific equipment list and a 1-page seasonal maintenance calendar is more likely to actually be used.

Resources

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Materials & Environmental Impact Required from Silver

Homeowner / Tenant Training

Train the homeowner or tenant on how to operate and maintain the building.

Scope

In-person walkthrough and training session with the homeowner or tenant at project handover.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    GreenHome Inspector or builder must conduct an in-person training session with the homeowner/tenant covering: thermostat programming, HVAC filter location and changing, water shutoffs, electrical panel orientation, smoke/CO detector locations and testing.

  2. 02.

    Walk through the maintenance manual together and answer questions.

  3. 03.

    Demonstrate any complex systems (HPWH controls, smart appliances, HRV/ERV).

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Training agenda + sign-in sheet with homeowner/tenant signature.

  2. 02.

    Optional: photo or video of the training session for the project record.

Guidance

Why this matters more than people think

A heat-pump water heater set to "electric resistance only" defeats its energy savings. A thermostat with a wide deadband (8°F+) wastes energy and creates discomfort. An HRV with a clogged filter circulates dust instead of removing it. Many efficiency features fail at the user-interface level — and a 30-minute training session prevents most of those failures.

Note

Recording the training (with the homeowner's permission) and providing them with the video is increasingly common — homeowners watch it again 6 months later when they've forgotten something.

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Materials & Environmental Impact Required from Gold

Certified Wood (No Tropical Species)

New wood products are FSC or SFI certified. No tropical wood.

Scope

All new wood products installed in the dwelling — framing, flooring, trim, cabinetry, decking, structural panels.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    All newly installed wood products must carry FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certification.

  2. 02.

    No tropical hardwoods permitted (e.g. teak, mahogany, ipe, rosewood) — even when "certified," tropical sourcing carries unresolvable risks of forest conversion and illegal logging.

  3. 03.

    Salvaged or reclaimed wood is acceptable as an alternative pathway (counts toward the certified-wood requirement).

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Material spec sheets or invoices showing FSC/SFI certification logos and chain-of-custody numbers.

  2. 02.

    For reclaimed wood: supplier documentation of source.

Guidance

FSC vs SFI

FSC has stricter forest-management criteria, more independent governance, and broader endorsement from environmental groups. SFI is industry-developed and accepts a wider range of forestry practices. Both are accepted under GreenStar — preference for FSC where products are available, given the stronger third-party validation.

Why no tropical wood, even certified

Tropical forest deforestation continues to outpace certification efforts, and certified tropical wood often originates from forests adjacent to or recently converted from natural forest. Domestic temperate alternatives (oak, walnut, hickory, sapele) cover almost every use case at comparable price.

Resources

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Materials & Environmental Impact Required from Platinum

Floorscore or Green Label Plus Carpet

Any new carpet is Floorscore or Green Label Plus certified.

Scope

Any newly installed carpet in the dwelling. Existing carpet that is being kept in place is exempt.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    All new carpet must be FloorScore-certified OR Green Label Plus-certified for indoor air quality.

  2. 02.

    Carpet pad must also be certified (FloorScore or Green Label).

  3. 03.

    Adhesives (where used) must be low-VOC, meeting SCAQMD Rule 1168 or equivalent.

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Carpet spec sheets showing FloorScore or Green Label Plus certification.

  2. 02.

    Pad spec sheet with certification.

  3. 03.

    Adhesive spec sheet showing VOC content < 50 g/L.

Guidance

Why carpet is the IAQ requirement at Platinum

Carpet is the largest single VOC-emitting surface in many homes — formaldehyde from backing, styrene-butadiene from latex, and 4-PCH (the "new carpet smell"). Certified carpet emits these at low enough levels to meet CDPH 01350 standards for sensitive populations. Pad and adhesive are equally important — uncertified pad under certified carpet defeats the purpose.

Note

For lowest IAQ impact, consider hard-surface flooring with area rugs (which can be replaced and washed) instead of wall-to-wall carpet. The Platinum requirement applies only when new carpet IS installed.

Resources

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Materials & Environmental Impact

Accessibility

Universal design features — zero-step entries, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms — supporting aging in place.

Description

The Accessibility badge recognizes homes designed under universal-design principles — features that allow the home to be used by occupants of any age and ability, and that defer the typical aging-in-place renovation by decades. The badge sits in the Materials & Place pillar because the decisions are mostly about layout, hardware, and durable finishes rather than mechanical systems.

Two compliance paths are recognized: the "Essential" path (visitability + minimum universal-design baseline, suitable for most single-family homes) and the "Full" path (full type-A or type-B accessible unit per ANSI A117.1, suitable for projects where aging-in-place or wheelchair use is the explicit design intent). Achieving either path earns the badge.

Required standard requirements

To earn this badge, the project must meet:

Additional badge criteria

Essential path — visitability + universal-design baseline

  1. 01.

    At least one zero-step entrance to the main floor from the driveway/sidewalk, no curbs or thresholds > 1/2 inch.

  2. 02.

    All doorways on the main floor at least 32 inches clear (36 inches strongly preferred).

  3. 03.

    At least one full bathroom on the main floor (toilet, sink, and shower/tub) with 60-inch turning radius and reinforced walls (2x blocking) at all toilet and shower locations for future grab-bar installation.

  4. 04.

    Hallway widths at least 36 inches clear; primary corridor at least 42 inches.

  5. 05.

    Lever-style door hardware (not knobs) on all interior doors, and rocker or smart switches in lieu of toggle switches at standard 44-inch mounting height.

  6. 06.

    Kitchen counters with at least one section at adjustable or 34-inch height, and a roll-under or pull-out sink area.

Full path — ANSI A117.1 type-A or type-B unit

  1. 01.

    Project meets all requirements of ANSI A117.1 Section 1003 (Type A) or Section 1004 (Type B) for accessible dwelling units.

  2. 02.

    Roll-in shower with no curb, 60-inch minimum length, and integrated bench seat.

  3. 03.

    Bedroom on the main floor (entry level) with adjacent accessible bathroom.

  4. 04.

    Adjustable-height vanity sinks; reachable controls (motion-activated or front-mounted) on plumbing fixtures.

  5. 05.

    Lever, rocker, or motion-activated hardware throughout.

  6. 06.

    Reinforced walls at all grab-bar locations + grab bars installed (not just blocking) at toilet and shower.

Documentation

  1. 01.

    Marked-up floor plan showing door widths, hallway widths, zero-step entry, bathroom turning radius, and counter heights.

  2. 02.

    For Essential path: photos of zero-step entry, bathroom blocking (pre-drywall photos required), lever hardware, and accessible kitchen counter.

  3. 03.

    For Full path: ANSI A117.1 compliance statement signed by architect, builder, or accessibility consultant.

  4. 04.

    Maintenance plan for accessibility features (e.g. grab-bar inspection cadence, threshold reseal schedule).

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Materials & Environmental Impact

Foam-free

Built without spray-foam or rigid-foam insulation — uses fiber, cellulose, mineral wool, or other low-impact alternatives.

Description

The Foam-free badge recognizes homes built without spray-foam or rigid-foam insulation in the envelope assemblies. Spray foam and rigid foam are widely used because they perform well per inch, but their blowing agents have high global-warming potential, their flame retardants are persistent and bioaccumulative, and the foam itself is functionally non-recyclable at end of life. Foam-free assemblies use fiber, mineral wool, cellulose, hemp, sheep wool, or other low-impact alternatives that achieve the same thermal performance at the cost of slightly thicker walls.

The badge does not prohibit incidental foam (e.g. weatherstripping, factory-foamed window sashes, small can-foam at penetrations). It prohibits foam as the primary insulating layer in the wall, roof, floor, foundation, and basement assemblies.

Required standard requirements

To earn this badge, the project must meet:

Additional badge criteria

Excluded products (as the primary insulation)

  1. 01.

    Open-cell and closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (SPF) — not permitted as wall, roof, or floor insulation.

  2. 02.

    Rigid foam boards — extruded polystyrene (XPS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), and polyisocyanurate (polyiso) — not permitted as continuous exterior insulation, foundation insulation, or sub-slab insulation.

  3. 03.

    Spray-applied foam at the rim joist, attic-floor air-seal layer, or basement-wall continuous layer.

Permitted alternatives

  1. 01.

    Dense-pack or blown cellulose (recycled newsprint).

  2. 02.

    Mineral wool batts or boards (Rockwool, Owens Corning Thermafiber) — including for continuous exterior insulation and sub-slab applications (mineral wool sub-slab is climate-zone-dependent; verify moisture strategy).

  3. 03.

    Fiberglass batts (high-density, formaldehyde-free preferred).

  4. 04.

    Biobased options: hemp insulation, sheep wool, wood-fiber boards (Gutex, Steico, Hempitecture), cork.

  5. 05.

    Foamed-glass aggregate (Glavel, Foamglas) for sub-slab and frost-protected shallow foundation applications.

Acceptable incidental foam

  1. 01.

    Factory-applied foam in window/door frames, garage-door panels, and refrigeration appliance insulation.

  2. 02.

    Single-component can foam used in volumes < 0.5 cu ft per project for sealing penetrations and gaps not addressable by other sealants.

  3. 03.

    Foam weatherstripping, foam tapes (e.g. EPDM gasket tape), and foam-backer rod at joints.

Performance equivalence

  1. 01.

    Foam-free assemblies must meet the same effective whole-assembly R-value as the project would have achieved with foam, calculated using parallel-path or two-dimensional thermal modeling (THERM, WUFI, or equivalent) accounting for thermal bridging at framing.

  2. 02.

    Where wall thickness becomes a constraint (urban infill, lot-line construction), double-stud or staggered-stud framing is the recommended path to high R-value without foam.

Documentation

  1. 01.

    Insulation schedule listing each assembly (foundation, slab, wall, rim joist, roof) with product, R-value, and thickness.

  2. 02.

    Product spec sheets / SDS for each insulation product, with foam-free designation visible.

  3. 03.

    Pre-drywall photos showing the installed insulation in each major assembly.

  4. 04.

    Whole-wall thermal calculation showing effective R-value parity with the comparable foam assembly.

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Materials & Environmental Impact

Walkability

Project sited where occupants can reach daily destinations on foot, bike, or transit.

Description

The Walkability badge recognizes projects sited where occupants can reach daily destinations — groceries, schools, parks, transit, medical care — without a car. Transportation is typically the largest emissions footprint of a U.S. household after the home itself; siting matters as much as construction for a project's real-world carbon profile.

The badge uses an objective scoring threshold (Walk Score, Bike Score, Transit Score) plus a site-level evaluation of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure connecting the project to those destinations. Both the location AND the connection have to work — a high-Walk-Score address that requires walking a state highway with no sidewalk doesn't qualify.

Required standard requirements

To earn this badge, the project must meet:

Additional badge criteria

Location score (one path required)

  1. 01.

    Walk Score ≥ 70 ("very walkable") — most errands can be accomplished on foot.

  2. 02.

    OR Transit Score ≥ 70 ("excellent transit") — frequent service to many destinations.

  3. 03.

    OR Bike Score ≥ 70 ("very bikeable") — infrastructure makes biking practical for most trips.

  4. 04.

    OR ≥ 5 of the following daily-destination categories are within 1/2 mile walking distance: grocery store, pharmacy, school, daycare, park, public library, restaurant, café, post office, medical/dental, place of worship.

Pedestrian connection from site to destinations

  1. 01.

    Continuous sidewalk or shared-use path from the project parcel to the nearest neighborhood collector road — no required walking on the shoulder of a road > 25 mph.

  2. 02.

    Crosswalks at any required street crossings on the routes used to reach destinations counted toward the location score.

  3. 03.

    Lit pedestrian path from the project to the nearest transit stop, where transit is being claimed.

On-site bike infrastructure

  1. 01.

    Secure, weather-protected bike storage on-site sized for at least one bike per bedroom (e.g. garage rack, dedicated bike shed, in-unit hooks).

  2. 02.

    For multifamily: secure shared bike room at street level with 24-hour access OR per-unit storage at this density.

  3. 03.

    Where the project has a driveway curb cut, the cut design accommodates rolling bike access (no curb step).

Reduced parking (encouraged, not required)

  1. 01.

    Where local code permits, reduce on-site car parking below the typical 2-space-per-unit baseline (this is a reduction in surface area and embodied carbon, not a hard requirement).

  2. 02.

    EV charger (required at Platinum tier) and bike storage are credited regardless of car-parking count.

Documentation

  1. 01.

    Walk Score / Transit Score / Bike Score report from walkscore.com (or equivalent) showing the qualifying score at the project address.

  2. 02.

    Map (Google Maps screenshot or equivalent) showing 1/2-mile walking radius around the project with daily-destination categories marked.

  3. 03.

    Photos of pedestrian connections — sidewalk continuity from parcel to nearest collector road and the route to any claimed transit stop.

  4. 04.

    Site plan showing bike-storage location, capacity, and access path.

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Materials & Environmental Impact

Sustainable Materials

Materials are reclaimed, biobased, third-party certified, or otherwise selected for low environmental impact.

Description

The Sustainable Materials badge recognizes projects where a meaningful share of the material spend goes to products that are reclaimed, biobased, third-party certified, or otherwise selected for low environmental impact. Where the Embodied Carbon Reduction requirement focuses on the kg-CO₂e number, this badge focuses on the upstream story: where the material came from, who certified it, and whether it can be put back into the cycle at end of life.

The badge uses a points-based pathway so that projects can mix and match strategies — a project that uses heavily reclaimed materials, another that goes biobased, and a third that buys certified-sustainable conventional materials can all qualify.

Required standard requirements

To earn this badge, the project must meet:

Additional badge criteria

Points pathway — achieve at least 8 points across the categories below

  1. 01.

    [2 pts] At least 25% by cost of structural framing lumber is FSC- or SFI-certified (or reclaimed). +1 pt per additional 25% (max 4 pts for fully certified/reclaimed framing).

  2. 02.

    [2 pts] Subfloor / sheathing is FSC-certified or reclaimed.

  3. 03.

    [1 pt each, max 3] Reclaimed material as a primary finish — flooring, doors, fixtures, cabinets, exterior siding, interior brick/stone.

  4. 04.

    [2 pts] Insulation is biobased (cellulose, hemp, wool, wood-fiber) OR carries a Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Bronze+ certification.

  5. 05.

    [1 pt each, max 3] Concrete mix design uses ≥ 30% supplementary cementitious materials (slag, fly ash, calcined clay) at the slab, foundation, OR exposed elements.

  6. 06.

    [2 pts] Project compiles Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for at least five major material categories.

  7. 07.

    [2 pts] At least three products in the project carry Cradle to Cradle Silver+ certification.

  8. 08.

    [1 pt] No tropical wood anywhere in the project (this is already required at Gold tier for new construction — point applies for retrofits and as a baseline confirmation).

  9. 09.

    [2 pts] Project documents a construction-waste diversion rate ≥ 75% (by weight) with hauler tickets or waste-audit report.

Exclusions

  1. 01.

    No use of tropical wood (matches the Gold-tier requirement).

  2. 02.

    No vinyl (PVC) flooring or wall coverings as a primary finish in occupied rooms.

  3. 03.

    No products on the Living Building Challenge Red List as primary finishes where a viable Red-List-free alternative exists.

Documentation

  1. 01.

    Materials submittal log listing each contributing product with category, cost, certification number, and source.

  2. 02.

    Certification documents (FSC chain-of-custody, C2C certificate, EPD PDFs) attached to the log.

  3. 03.

    Photos of reclaimed-material applications and certification labels at the source where available.

  4. 04.

    Construction waste tracking sheet + hauler tickets if claiming the waste-diversion points.

  5. 05.

    Tally sheet showing earned points across categories — verifier signs the ≥ 8 pt threshold.

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