Styling by Zephyr + Stone. Photography by HIVISUALS
ACTIVE STEPS TO AVOID GREENWASHING
Greenwashing may seem like a simple black and white issue, but it’s more complex than that, especially given the stakes involved. Owners and tenants are looking for greater visibility and influence over decarbonisation and waste reduction across their portfolios. Accordingly, there is more pressure than ever to ensure new buildings and infrastructure adhere to high sustainability and environmental standards. Below are some steps designers and specifiers can take to avoid the lure of greenwashing claims. • Understand the terms used to describe sustainability and keep up with any relevant legislation, codes and standards that govern how they are defined. • Identify hidden trade-offs. Companies offering “eco- friendly” products may be doing so based on a narrow
set of attributes without considering other important environmental factors. Those making claims about “carbon offsetting”, for example, may not be taking action to improve the sustainability of their manufacturing operations as a whole. • Any environmental claim should be supported by credible documentation. For example, when assessing “recycled content” claims, seek clarification from the manufacturer about their recycling supply chain and what materials are included in the product. • Identify internationally recognised, third-party certifications. These would include LEED, BREEAM, Green Star, ISO (International Standards Organisation), 3rd Party certified eco-labels, Environmental Product Declarations (full life cycle analysis documentation), and more.
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator