Search the document by holding down the control key (command key on Mac) and typing "F" for "Find"

Built Green Links

Built Green Idea Home
Member companies provide products and services to help builders and homeowners achieve the hundreds of features included on the Built Green checklists.
- PSE Built Green Idea Home in Issaquah Highlands

Following are links to many, various websites that can provide information toward helping build “green.” The links are loosely organized according to the Built Green checklists, following the six major categories of Codes, Site & Water, Energy, Indoor Air Quality, Materials Resources and few additional resources that don’t fit neatly into the other Built Green categories.

Codes


Sites & Water


Energy


Indoor Air Quality


Materials


Related Sustainability Topics


Other Local & National Resources

 

Codes

Codes, Regulations & Standards

King County Code: See Title 21A Zoning for Sensitive Areas information.
www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/code/index.htm

King County Property, Planning & Development: To facilitate property research in the county, visit the county website.
www.metrokc.gov/property.htm

Code of King County Board of Health: Graywater systems must be approved by the King County Board of Health.
nt2.scbbs.com/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=156032&infobase=procode-8&softpage=ref_MainView

Washington State Energy Code (WSEC): Refer to Washington State Building Code WAC 51-11 Chapters 11-20 for the Washington State Non-Residential Energy Code. For most projects in King County, except those also in the city of Seattle, will be governed by the WSEC. To qualify for LEED the project must meet WSEC and ASHRAE 90.1-1999.
www.sbcc.wa.gov

Municipal Codes - Washington State: Provides links to codes for cities in Washington State.
www.mrsc.org/codes.htm

ASHRAE Standards: ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings can be purchased and downloaded from this site.
www.ashrae.org

Washington State Building Codes: Scroll to Chapter 51-13 WAC for Ventilation and IAQ.
www.sbcc.wa.gov

King County Uniform Mechanical Code:
www.metrokc.gov/MKCC/Code/TITLE16.pdf

Residential Energy Code City of Seattle: These forms provide a checklist of building systems that could be useful in the early phases of developing building systems.
www.cityofseattle.net/dclu/energy/res/Chap1.htm

Environmentally Sensitive Areas, King County Code: This document describes local codes that protect the environment and health of the county.
www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/Code/21A24-26.pdf

King County Zoning Code: See King County Zoning Code Title 21A (Under King County Code).
www.metrokc.gov/MKCC/Code

King County Zoning Code: King County Development Standards Density and Dimensions (Zoning Code Title 21A).
www.metrokc.gov/MKCC/Code/21A12.pdf

Code of King County Board of Health: Graywater systems must be approved by the King County Board of Health.
nt2.scbbs.com/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=156032&infobase=procode-8&softpage=ref_MainView

Washington Water Reclamation and Reuse Standards: Washington State has existing standards for reclaimed water, which is derived from municipal wastewater. The standards also include provisions for the beneficial use of graywater, agricultural industrial process water, and industrial reuse water, all of which can be considered in innovative wastewater programs.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/reclaim/standards.pdf

King County Water Systems Defined: This county website describes the differences between Group A and Group B public water systems and categorizes different types of Group A public water systems.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/watersup/WACcite.htm

ASHRAE 62-1999: The published standard that specifies minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality acceptable to human occupants.
www.ashrae.org/STANDARDS/s62-s109.htm

Revised Code of Washington:
www.leg.wa.gov/rcw/index.cfm

back to top

 

Sites & Water

Site Planning

King County Comprehensive Plan: Review the general guidelines.
www.metrokc.gov/exec/orpp/compplan

King County iMaps: See the King County iMaps (Planning Set) for property information and area densities. A property search can be done that yields the lot size (and the building square footage) for any address in the county.
www.metrokc.gov/gis/mapportal/iMAP_main.htm

Transfer of Development Rights: This program allows individuals to purchase and sell residential development rights from lands such as open space or forested parcels.
www.metrokc.gov/exec/orpp/tdr/overview.htm

Federal Emergency Management Agency: For federal guidelines, check the FEMA website.
www.fema.gov

King County Property, Planning & Development: To facilitate property research in the county, visit the county website.
www.metrokc.gov/property.htm

King County Department of Development & Environmental Services: This website provides information on properties in the County.
www.metrokc.gov/ddes/property.htm

King County Development Standards: See the King County Development Standards for parking and circulation guidelines.
www.metrokc.gov/MKCC/Code/21A18-22.pdf

Resource Lands and Open Space Programs: Reference the King County Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resources Division Information by topic that lists "Open Space and Resource Land Protection Programs."
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/LANDS

King County Rural Forest Demonstration Project: Review the Public Benefit Rating System of the King County Rural Forest Demonstration Project.
www.mrsc.org/ords/g-l/k5o13275.htm

Development Guidelines: Refer to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas in King County listing within the King County Development Guidelines.
www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/Code/21A24-26.pdf

Stormwater & Erosion Control

King County Surface Water Design Manual Appendix D:
ftp.metrokc.gov/ddes/acrobat/esa/kcswdm-d.pdf

King County Surface Water Design Manual: For a more in-depth look at King County's standards for dealing with stormwater, check out the Surface Water Design Manual (all projects in unincorporated King County must follow these standards). The document is for sale through the county's Land and Water Resources Division. To purchase a copy, send a check or money order for a total of $146 ($125 for the manual, $11 for tax, $10 for shipping) to: WLRD, Attn: Andrea, 201 S. Jackson Street Suite 600, Seattle WA 98104-3855
King County Surface Water Design Supporting Software: Supporting software and data is available online.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/dss/KCRTS.HTM

King County Surface Water Design Manual Supporting Documents: Research the supporting documents of the King County Surface Water Design Manual.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/dss/manual.htm

Erosion and Sedimentation Control Standards: Appendix D: Appendix D of the King County Surface Water Design Manual describes the erosion and sedimentation control standards for all county projects.
ftp.metrokc.gov/ddes/acrobat/esa/kcswdm-d.pdf

King County Building Code: Refer to the Surface Water Management section of the King County Building Code.
www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/code/TITLE09.pdf

Surface Water Management Fee Discounts and Cost-Sharing: Learn about fee discounts in King County for adopting certain measures designed to limit stormwater flow.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/surface-water-mgt-fee/swm-discount.htm

Stormwater Best Management Practices: A list of Best Management Practices assembled to help guide the design of public works projects.
www.metrocouncil.org/environment/Watershed/bmp/ApD_SourceList.pdf

Soils for Salmon: Local guidelines for protecting salmon habitat.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/ResRecy/composting/soils4salmon.shtml

Department of Ecology Landslides Program: See the local planning department for information about required setbacks, vegetation removal, septic placement, drainage, and any restrictions on the project site.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/landslides/help/help.html

Erosion and Sediment Control and the Endangered Species Act: Assistance on the design of an effective erosion and sediment control program that protects waterbodies, wetlands and aquatic species.
www.metrokc.gov/ddes/lusd/wetseason.htm

Bank Stabilization: Check out this website to learn more about stabilizing streambanks and riparian zones in King County.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/biostabl

Habitat Restoration

Earthcorps: This non-profit focuses on local environmental service and can help with environmental restoration through its unique combination of volunteerism and community involvement .
www.earthcorps.org

Rainwater Harvest & Graywater Reuse

Rainwater Harvest System Guidelines: The Associated General Contractors of Washington provides a guide for collection, storage, pumping and piping of rainwater harvest systems.
www.agcwa.com/Public/education_foundation

Seattle Public Utilities: SPU's Water Efficient Irrigation Program offers free assessments and financial incentives to its customers.
www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/RESCONS/weip/default.HTM

Harvesting Rainwater for Landscape Use: This article, published by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service, provides methods for roughly calculating rainwater supply based on rainfall, storage area and calculating demand based on landscaping needs.
ag.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1052/harvest.html

Rainbarrels for Small Projects in King County: Rainbarrels can provide effective means of collecting rainwater for use in a small landscape.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/PI/rainbarrels.htm

Code of King County Board of Health: Graywater systems must be approved by the King County Board of Health.
nt2.scbbs.com/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll

Graywater Fact Sheet: The Washington State Department of Health provides a brief information sheet on graywater - what it is and how it can be used.
www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/WW/GreywaterFact.PDF

Captured Rainwater: The Sustainable Building Sourcebook offers guidance on rainwater harvest systems.
www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/contents

King Street Center Rainwater Harvest System: King County offices in King Street Center use harvested rainwater to flush toilets.
dnr.metrokc.gov/dnrp/ksc_tour/findex.htm

Rainwater Harvest Article: Landscape Architecture magazine's article on a University of Washington professor's rainwater system.
dnr.metrokc.gov/market/RainwaterHarvesting.pdf

Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting: This publication contains some useful information on harvesting rainwater even if the site is not in Texas.
www.twdb.state.tx.us/publications/reports/RainHarv.pdf

Saving Water Partnership: This site provides landscape and irrigation recommendations for saving water.
www.savingwater.org/improve.htm

King County Water Reuse Program: Reclaimed water is wastewater that gets treated to such a high level that it can be used safely and effectively for non-drinking water uses such as flushing toilets. The county encourages the reuse of water in landscape and agricultural irrigation, heating and cooling, and industrial processing.
dnr.metrokc.gov/WTD/reuse/index.htm

Water-Saving Landscapes

Waterwise Gardening Guides for City of Bellevue: Bellevue offers guidance on using less potable water in the landscape.
www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/page.asp?view=2643

Native Plants in Washington: This is a link to a publication from Washington State University that provides useful information on native plants and trees, along with a link to an extensive native plant database.
gardening.wsu.edu/text/nwnative.htm

Washington Native Plant Society: This website provides information on native plants and links to other native plant sites.
www.wnps.org/cps/links.html

King County Native Plant Resource: This list is compiled by staff of the Water and Land Resources Division of King County, Washington as an aid to learning about northwest native plants.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/npresrcs.htm

Seattle Public Utilities: SPU's Water Efficient Irrigation Program offers free assessments and financial incentives for saving water in the landscape.
www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/RESCONS/weip/default.HTM

Non-Toxic Landscapes

Integrated Pest Management: The University of California at Davis maintains an extensive website on integrated pest management (IPM). IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties.
www.ipm.ucdavis.edu

Wastewater

King County Wastewater Treatment Division: This website contains information on treating and conveying the county's wastewater.
dnr.metrokc.gov/WTD

King County Water Reuse Program: King County's Regional Wastewater Services Plan calls for expanding the production and use of reclaimed water as a valuable resource and you can learn more about it on this website.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/reuse/index.htm

Washington On-Site Sewage Association: The WOSSA provides information on the siting, design, installation, use and regulation of on-site wastewater systems.
www.wossa.org

On-Site Sewage Systems: Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team describes how on-site sewage systems operated in the Puget Sound basin can effectively treat sewage in areas not served by municipal treatment plants.
www.wa.gov/puget_sound/Programs/On_site.htm

EPA On-Site Wastewater Treatment: This EPA website discusses decentralized treatment systems including individual onsite septic systems, cluster systems, and alternative wastewater technologies.
www.epa.gov/owm/decent/index.htm

Code of King County Board of Health: Graywater systems must be approved by the King County Board of Health.
nt2.scbbs.com/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll

Water Reclamation and Reuse in Washington State: This website offers information on water reuse in the State, from defining graywater to how to obtain a permit for a generator of reclaimed water.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/reclaim/#Introduction

Washington Water Reclamation and Reuse Standards: Washington State has existing standards for reclaimed water, which is derived from municipal wastewater. The standards also include provisions for the beneficial use of graywater, agricultural industrial process water, and industrial reuse water, all of which can be considered in innovative wastewater programs.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/reclaim/standards.pdf

Water Conservation

King County Water Systems Defined: This county website describes the differences between Group A and Group B public water systems and categorizes different types of Group A public water systems.
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/watersup/WACcite.htm

City of Bellevue Drinking Water Conservation: Bellevue offers different strategies for conserving potable water.
www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/page.asp?view=1679

Low-Flow Fixtures: The National Association of Home Builders Research Center provides ToolBase Services, a technical resource that includes information on low-flow fixtures.
www.toolbase.org/tertiaryT.asp

Saving Water Partnership: This site offers tips on water smart technologies to help reduce potable water demands.
www.savingwater.org/watersmart.htm

back to top

 

Energy

Energy Optimization

ASHRAE Standards: ASHRAE Standards can be purchased and downloaded from this site.
www.ashrae.org

Advanced Buildings Technology: A Canadian-based guide to more than 90 environmentally-appropriate technologies and practices for multi-unit residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
www.advancedbuildings.org/index.htm

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: This site provides information and links on energy efficiency technologies and programs.
www.eren.doe.gov

Energy Star (EPA)
www.energystar.gov

Energy & Environmental Building Association
www.eeba.org

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (DOE)
www.eere.energy.gov

Northwest Energy Star
www.northwestenergystar.com

Efficient Lighting

Efficient Lighting:
www.eren.doe.gov/EE/buildings_lighting.html

Lighting Checklist: This checklist from the USDOE Federal Energy Management Program provides the designer with an idea of what to look for when considering lighting for specific spaces and purposes.
www.eren.doe.gov/femp/resources/pdfs/lighting_checklst.pdf

Daylighting

Lighting Design Lab: The Daylighting Lab is part of the Lighting Design Lab in Seattle, and has an overcast sky and heliodon sun simulators, and digital photographic and light flux metering equipment for the analysis of physical models to help projects assess daylighting capabilities. The lab is sponsored by Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a non-profit group of electric utilities, state governments, public interest groups and efficiency industry representatives, who came together to help Northwest consumers and businesses use electricity more efficiently.
www.lightingdesignlab.com/daylighting/daylighting.htm

Daylighting in Buildings: A downloadable source book on daylighting systems and components from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. This book provides a comprehensive reference on new and innovative technologies for utilizing daylight in buildings and assesses the performance of these systems.
gaia.lbl.gov/iea21/ieadownload.htm

Daylighting: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory explores daylighting and windows on its website.
windows.lbl.gov/daylighting/Default.htm

Daylighting Initiative: Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a large natural gas and electric utility in California, provides information on daylighting along with case studies.
www.pge.com/003_save_energy/003c_edu_train/pec/daylight/daylight.shtml

Daylighting Collaborative: The Daylighting Collaborative is a program started by several utilities and the State of Wisconsin to incorporate daylighting into mainstream design and construction. The website offers a wealth of information on daylighting strategies and resources.
www.daylighting.org

Daylighting: This website, sponsored by the European Network of Energy Agencies, provides a comprehensive review of technologies relevant to non-nuclear energy, with the exception of oil and gas. It offers a section on daylighting.
europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/atlas/htmlu/daylighting.html

Tips for Daylighting with Windows: Comprehensive advice from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Building Technologies Department helps you select a plan for daylighting a building.
eetd.lbl.gov/btp/pub/designguide/browse.html

Solar Power

U. S. Department of Energy: DOE presents solar technologies that use the sun's energy and light to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and cooling for homes, businesses, and industry.
www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar.html

U. S. Department of Energy: Active solar power is achieved using semi-conducting materials that directly convert sunlight into electricity for use in homes, offices or large-scale applications.
www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar_photovoltaics.html

Efficient Waterheating

Performance Comparison of Residential Hot Water Systems: this report by the NAHB Research Center presents the results of weekly performance testing and annual simulations of electric water-heating systems.
www.toolbase.org/waterheating

U. S. Department of Energy: DOE describes various solar water heaters that use the sun to heat either water or a heat-transfer fluid in collectors, using passive or active systems.
www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar_hotwater.html

Renewable Energy

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: This site provides information and links on renewable energy technologies and programs.
http://www.eren.doe.gov

Washington Incentives for Renewable Energy: Database for state incentives for renewable energy.
www.dsireusa.org

PVWATTS Calculator: PVWATTS calculates electrical energy produced by a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system.
rredc.nrel.gov/solar/codes_algs/PVWATTS

Seattle City Light Net Metering Program: Seattle City Light offers Net Metering to customers who wish to generate their own electricity with fuel cells or solar, wind or hydro powered electric systems of 25 kilowatts or less in generating capacity.
www.cityofseattle.net/light/solar

Net Metering Application and Compliance Form for Seattle City Light:
www.cityofseattle.net/light/solar/Application.pdf

Puget Sound Energy Net Metering: This schedule applies to Customer-generators who operate fuel cells or hydroelectric, solar, or wind power generators with a total capacity of no more than 25 kW on their own premises.
www.pse.com/account/pdfs/elecsch_150_bookmark_2000_06_08.pdf

Net Metering Agreement for Puget Sound Energy:
www.pse.com/account/pdfs/elecsch_150attch_1_bookmark_2000_06_08.pdf

Green Power

Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program: Green-e is a voluntary certification program for renewable electricity products. The Green-e Program sets consumer protection and environmental standards for electricity products, and verifies that Green-e certified products meet these standards.
www.green-e.org

Puget Sound Energy Green Power: Purchase Green-e tags or TRCs, Tradable Renewable Certificates, in partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
www.psetest.com/yourbusiness/greenpower

Green Energy Option Purchase Rider Example from Puget Sound Energy:
www.pse.com/account/pdfs/elec_sch_135_web_2001_12_27.pdf

Seattle City Light Green Power: Purchase green energy credits that invest in green power demonstration projects and renewable power purchase. This program is not Green-e certified or equivalent, and does not qualify for the LEED Green Power credit. Seattle City Light customers can purchase TRCs from Green-e providers nationwide to meet the Green Power credit.
www.cityofseattle.net/light/green/greenpower

Building Commissioning

Commissioning Guide: The U.S. Department of Energy's Building Commissioning: The Key to Quality Assurance is designed to help building owners understand and oversee the building commissioning process.
www.rebuild.org/attachments/guidebooks/commissioningguide.pdf

Sample Commissioning Specifications - Mechanical: These sample specifications from the University of Washington Facilities Design Information Manual focus on the commissioning support activities required of the contractor.
depts.washington.edu/fsesweb/fdi2001/15_mech/doc/19-15t.doc

Sample Commissioning Specifications - Electrical: These sample specifications from the University of Washington Facilities Design Information Manual focus on the commissioning support activities required of the contractor.
depts.washington.edu/fsesweb/fdi2001/16_elect/doc/28-16dd.doc

Measurement & Verification

Measurement and Verification Documents List: This list from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will help organizations implement an M&V program. The materials range from implementation guidelines to checklists and other resources.
ateam.lbl.gov/mv

International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol: The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (MVP) provides an overview of current best practice techniques available for verifying results of energy efficiency, water efficiency, and renewable energy projects in commercial and industrial facilities.
www.ipmvp.org

Ozone Depletion

U.S. EPA Ozone Depletion Information: EPA's ozone depletion web page provides information about the science of ozone depletion, information about the regulatory approach to protecting the ozone layer, and information on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances.
www.epa.gov/ozone

Public Transportation & Carpooling

King County Metro Bus System: Refer to their website for current and proposed bus stops.
tripplanner.metrokc.gov

Washington State Ferries: See their website for ferry stations.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/index.cfm

Sound Transit: Refer to their website for current and proposed commuter stops on the inter-county rail and bus system.
www.soundtransit.org

King County Metro Regional Map: This site provides maps of regional bus routes.
transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bus/area_maps/regional.html

Carpool and Vanpool Information: The county offers several rideshare opportunities for commuters.
transit.metrokc.gov/tops/van-car/van-car.htmll

Bicycling

King County Bicycle Routes: Refer to this County website for current and proposed bicycle routes.
http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/bike/index.cfm

The Cascade Bicycle Club: This is the largest bicycle club in the U. S.
www.cascade.org

Alternative Fuels

Alternative Fuels Data Center: The Alternative Fuels Data Center provides information on alternative fuel and vehicles. This government website has more than 3,000 documents in its database, an interactive fuel station mapping system, listings of available alternative fuel vehicles, links to related Web sites, and much more.
www.afdc.doe.gov

Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition: This local organization provides information on alternative fuel vehicles.
www.ci.seattle.wa.us/cleancities/Grants&Incentives.htm

Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Design and Health and Safety Codes: This paper provides an example from the California Energy Commission outlining standards for electric vehicle charging stations.
38.144.192.166/papers/98-09-23_KATELEY.PDF

back to top

 

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality During Construction Or Remodeling

Construction IAQ Management: This fact sheet produced by the Business and Industry Resource Venture, a partnership of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Seattle Public Utilities. It provides information and resources to assist Seattle area contractors in construction IAQ management.
www.resourceventure.org

IAQ Management Plan for Schools: This EPA guide to construction IAQ for schools provides a comprehensive plan for construction IAQ management. EPA Publication No. 402-K-98-001.
www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guide8.html

IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction: The referenced standard provides information on the source of air pollutants, control measures, how to manage the IAQ process, quality control and documentation, communication with occupants, example projects, tables, references, resources and checklists. The book is available for order (for a fee) through the SMACNA website.
www.smacna.org/techpubs/index.cfm

Air Filters Article: ASHRAE Standard 52.2 regarding indoor air quality is discussed in this article that also describes air filter media and the basis of the different ratings.
www.mc2link.com/52point2.htm#sidebar

Reducing Occupant Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): This article presents guidelines from the California Department of Health Services for the reduction of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from construction materials in newly constructed or remodeled office buildings.
www.aivc.org/Air/18_3/voc_exp.html

Duct Cleanliness for New Construction Guidelines: This guideline from SMACNA is intended to help the commercial duct installation contractor, design engineers and building owners to become more familiar with guidelines to control and reduce contamination during duct installation, and to provide reasonable installation recommendations that can be implemented to meet these goals.
www.smacna.org/products/publications/download.cfm

EPA Fact Sheet on Ventilation and Air Quality in Offices: This EPA Fact Sheet provides an overview of mechanically ventilated spaces.
www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ventilat.html

Low Toxic Materials

Sustainable Building Sourcebook: The City of Austin Green Building Program provides an online list of products and materials for green building.
www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook

Green Guard: The GREENGUARD™ Product Guide is a guide to low emitting interior products and building materials.
www.greenguard.org/products/productguide.asp

eBuild Professional's Guide to Building Products: A comprehensive, interactive catalog that makes researching and comparing products fast and easy. It's the professional's guide to building products and contains over 55,000 products.
www.ebuild.com

Green Seal Adhesives Standards:
www.greenseal.org/standards/commercialadhesives.htm

Low Toxic Paints

No and Low VOC Paints Fact Sheet: A fact sheet on low-VOC paints from the City of Austin's Green Building Program, along with a list of product manufacturers.
www.ci.austin.tx.us/greenbuilder/fs_paint.htm

Green Building Source: Oikos provides an online, searchable directory of green products.
www.oikos.com/products

EPA Products Database: The EPA Environmentally Preferable Products database allows the user to search for such products as carpet, lights, absorbent materials and paints, among many other products and services with reduced environmental impacts.
notes.erg.com/eppstand2.nsf/Pages/Search.html?Open

Low Toxic Carpet

Green Label Program: The LEED standard is based on this program. The Carpet and Rug Institute developed testing and labeling programs to aid in the selection of carpet, adhesives and cushion materials to identify low-emitting products for consumers by requiring representative product samples to meet scientifically established standards.
www.carpet-rug.com/drill_down_2.cfm?page=8&sub=4

PVC-Free Carpet List:
www.healthybuilding.net/PVC/PVCFreeCarpet.htm

Environmentally Responsible Carpet Choices: Sustainable Practices and Opportunities Plan of the National Park Service provides an overview of sustainable carpeting.
www.nps.gov/sustain/spop/carpet.htm

Carpet and Indoor Air Quality: This article from the Carpet and Rug Institute describes VOCs and carpet maintenance.
www.carpet-rug.com/technical_bulletins/9902_Carpet_and_IAQ.pdf

Green Product Links: Denison University in Ohio provides links to sustainable products.
www.denison.edu/enviro/barney/links.html

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide - Carpet: King County Environmental Purchasing Program offers description of low-VOC carpets, as well as local suppliers.
www.swmcb.org/EPPG/10_7.HTM

Low Toxic Composite Wood Products

Technology Summary of VOCs in Composite Wood Products: This paper, "Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Composite Wood Products: A Review" from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, gives an overview of VOCs in composite wood products.
www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/PDF1997/bauma97a.pdf

Directory of Members: Composite Panel Association, manufacturers of particleboard (PB), medium density fiberboard (MDF), and other compatible products, and the Composite Wood Council, producers of wood and agrifiber-based particleboard and medium density fiberboard, have a joint website that describes their products, services and member companies.
www.pbmdf.com/AboutCWC/MemberDirectory.asp

Formaldehyde Update from the EPA:
www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/formald2.html

California Air Resources Board: California Air Resources Board is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency. The mission of the ARB includes promoting and protecting the state's public health, welfare and ecological resources.
www.arb.ca.gov

Indoor Air Quality

Residential Air Cleaning Devices: This publication describes the types of air cleaners available to the consumer, provides available information on their general effectiveness in removing indoor air pollutants, discusses some factors to consider in deciding whether to use an air-cleaning unit, and describes existing guidelines that can be used to compare units.
www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/residair.html

Building Air Quality EPA Publication: Developed by the EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, this publication provides practical suggestions on preventing, identifying, and resolving indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in public and commercial buildings.
www.epa.gov/iaq/largebldgs/baqtoc.html

Ventilation and Air Quality EPA Fact Sheet: Briefly describes office building ventilation operation, problems and maintenance in relation to IAQ.
www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ventilat.html

IAQ Council: A non-profit association for IAQ managers, technicians, investigators, consultants and professionals.
www.indoor-air-quality.org

Ventilation and Air Quality: Advanced Buildings Technologies and Practices, a consortium of government and private organizations in Canada, provides information on many building technologies that improve the energy and resource efficiency of commercial and multi-unit residential buildings. Click on the Ventilation and Air Quality to read about gas-fired humidification, displacement ventilation, indoor air biofilters, solar preheated ventilation air, energy recovery ventilation, CO2-controlled ventilation, natural ventilation and cooling, and underground air supply.
www.advancedbuildings.org/index.htm

Indoor Air Quality: EPA's website devoted to indoor air quality.
www.epa.gov/iaq

Clean Air Initiative: King County Executive Order
www.metrokc.gov/recelec/archives/policies/phl101aeo.htm

Indoor Air Quality for King County Homes: This King County guide for residential indoor air quality provides a brief overview.
www.metrokc.gov/health/hazard/indoorair.htm

CO2-Controlled Ventilation: Advanced Buildings Technologies and Practices, a consortium of government and private organizations in Canada, provides information on many building technologies that improve the energy and resource efficiency of commercial and multi-unit residential buildings.
www.advancedbuildings.org/_frames/fr_t_vent_co2_controlled.htm

Carbon Dioxide Publications: A list of publications from the Building and Fire Research Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology with links to the papers in PDF format.
fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/bfrlall/key/key350.html

Why Measure CO2 in Buildings?: This Washington State Cooperative Extension publication describes the hows and whys of maintaining indoor air quality.
www.es.wapa.gov/pubs/briefs/co2/co2.cfm

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution - Improving Indoor Air Quality: This EPA fact sheet describes strategies to improve indoor air quality.
www.epa.gov/iaq/is-imprv.html

Natural Ventilation

Passive Cooling: The Sustainable Building Sourcebook provides a brief look at operable windows and natural ventilation.
www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/PassSolGuide3.html

Operable Windows for Offices: This Canadian website provides a guide to more than 90 environmentally-appropriate building technologies and practices, including case studies, of primarily multi-family and commercial buildings.
www.advancedbuildings.org/_frames/fr_t_building_operable_windows.htm

Natural Ventilation: The City of Santa Monica presents many sustainable ideas through its online Green Building and Design and Construction Guidelines, although the guidelines apply primarily to multi-family and commercial buildings.
greenbuildings.santa-monica.org/envelope/envventilation.html

A Standard for Natural Ventilation Abstract: "A Standard for Natural Ventilation" was published in ASHRAE Journal, Vol. 42, No. 10, October 2000. The abstract provides a brief look at the ideas presented, while the full text is available for a fee from the Journal's website.
www.ashraejournal.org/search/items/42_10_Brager.html

Natural Ventilation Paper Abstract: "The Adaptive Model of Thermal Comfort and Energy Conservation in the Built Environment" was published in the International Journal of Biometeorlogy, Vol. 45, No.2 July 2001. The Journal's website offers a 'search' capability where you can find the abstract, which provides a brief look at the ideas presented in the article. The full text of the paper is available for a fee from the Journal's website.
link.springer.de/search.htm

Psychometric Chart Example:
www.linric.com/freechrt.doc

Mechanical Ventilation

Ventilation and Air Quality EPA Fact Sheet: Briefly describes office building ventilation operation, problems and maintenance in relation to IAQ.
www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ventilat.html

Ventilation Rates: Washington State Code mechanical ventilation rates provided in Table 3-4.
search.leg.wa.gov/wslwac

Building Air Quality: A publication from EPA that describes how to help prevent indoor air quality problems and resolve them if they do occur.
www.epa.gov/iaq/largebldgs/graphics/iaq.pdf

Mixed Mode Ventilation: An article on Engineered Systems website describes mixed mode systems for commercial spaces.
www.esmagazine.com/CDA

back to top

 

Materials

Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling

Construction Works Program of King County: This program assists builders with setting up job-site recycling and waste reduction programs.
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/constructionworks.asp

Hazardous Materials Directory: This directory provides an alphabetical list of hazardous waste materials.
www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/yb/ybwdlist.html

Contractor’s Guide to Recycling in King County Publication: This guidebook provides recycling and waste prevention information for all builders, from the handyman and remodeler to large Commercial contractors.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/ConGuide.pdf

Construction Recycling and Green Building Program: King County provides a variety of free resources on green building and construction recycling both through our web site and hard-copy publications.
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/greenworks/sus_build/susbuild.htm

Construction Recycling Directory in King County: The information in this guide will help you cut costs on your construction, remodeling or demolition project by recycling and reusing materials at job-sites.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/CDLguide.pdf

Sample Project Specifications for Construction Waste Recycling: This jobsite recycling specification is a standard specification used by King County and can be modified to fit the needs of your project.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/specs.htm

Construction Recycling Database
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/wdidw/category.asp?CatID=17

Construction Recycling Worksheet: King County provides a worksheet for calculating materials recycled or salvaged during construction.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/worksheet.xls

Construction/Demolition facility recycling rates:
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/comingled.asp

King County online reusable building materials exchange
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/exchange/building.asp

Recycling and Reuse Database for King County: This site allows the user to search by material or product to find haulers, recyclers and salvage yards in King County.
www6.metrokc.gov/dnr/swd/Recycle/Recycle.asp

Washington State Recycling Database: A statewide recycling database to locate sites or services that recycle or safely dispose of household wastes anywhere in Washington.
1800recycle.wa.gov/

Washington State Recycling Association
www.wsra.net

CDL Case Studies in King County: Provides some examples of projects that recycled construction demolition.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/case_studies.htm

Reusable Building Materials Exchange: Online listing of materials and providers allowing contractors to easily exchange small or large quantities of reusable or surplus building materials.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/rbme

Project Waste Analysis Worksheet: This form can help you characterize what kind of waste stream you can expect for your project.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/wasteworksheet.xls

Free Assistance to Builders: Construction Works provides free assistance and recognition to builders who recycle, reduce waste and use recycled-content building materials. Co-sponsored by the King County Solid Waste Division and the Business and Industry Resource Venture, with funding from Seattle Public Utilities.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/CWapp.pdf

Construction Recycling How-To Guide:
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/overview.htm

Checklist of Hazardous Waste Materials: During demolition, hazardous waste may be encountered. Check this list for potential problem waste materials.
www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/lhwmp/propchek.html

Hazardous Waste Program in King County: The King County program aims to reduce and properly manage hazardous waste through education, collection and technical assistance.
www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste

Salvage Project In King County: Article provides a case study of a house renovation in the county that recycled or salvaged three-quarters of its demolition materials.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/erthwise.pdf

Industrial Materials Exchange: IMEX, the Industrial Materials Exchange, is a free service designed to match businesses that produce wastes, industrial by-products, or surplus materials with businesses that need them.
www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/imex

Recycling For Home Or Office

Recycling Guide: King County offers this guide to help establish a recycling program within a building.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/rec_assist/emplkit.htm

Packaging Materials for Recycling in King County: This site lists businesses and organizations that accept packaging materials for recycling.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/ResRecy/recycling/packaging.shtml

Recycling in King County for Businesses:
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog

Recycling Centers In King County:
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/ResRecy/recycling/rec_loc_seattle.shtml

Garbage Collection Service in King County:
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/resrecy/recycling/garbage.shtml

Transfer Stations in King County: Transfer stations are where hauling companies, businesses and King County residents dispose of solid waste, yard waste and recyclable materials. The transfer stations serve as processing centers that gather solid waste and separate recyclable materials from general waste before the material is transported to the Cedar Hills Landfill.
dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/SWDINFO/xfersta2.htm

Recycling Assistance in King County:
dnr.metrokc.gov/greenworks/rec_assist/assist.htm

Green Works: King County Green Works offers free assistance on waste reduction, recycling, and recycled product procurement programs to businesses.
dnr.metrokc.gov/greenworks/rec_prog/green.htm

Green Products Directories

Oikos Green Building Source: Searchable list of green products organized by CSI categories.
www.oikos.com/products

Environmental Choice Program: This Canadian website offers certified green products.
www.environmentalchoice.com/index_main.cfm

GreenSpec Building Products: GreenSpec is offered for a subscription fee from BuildingGreen. It contains detailed listings for green building products with environmental data, manufacturer information, and links to additional resources.
www.buildinggreen.com/bg/gsMenu.jsp

Sustainable Building Sourcebook: The City of Austin Green Building Program provides an online list of products and materials for green building.
www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook

Green Pages: Co-op America provides a searchable list of environmentally responsible products and services.
www.greenpages.org

The Athena Sustainable Materials Institute
www.athenasmi.ca

Environmentally Friendly Building Materials

Free Assistance to Builders: Construction Works provides free assistance and recognition to builders who recycle, reduce waste and use recycled-content building materials. Co-sponsored by the King County Solid Waste Division and the Business and Industry Resource Venture, with funding from Seattle Public Utilities.
dnr.metrokc.gov

King County Recycled Product Procurement Policy: The installation of recycled and environmentally preferable products and materials are standard expectations for county projects. This link is to the Environmental Purchasing website that describes the program and policy in detail.
www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/index.htm

Green Seal: This website lists recycled and environmentally preferable products that have been evaluated through life cycle assessment and qualify for the Green Seal label. Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that identifies and promotes sustainable products and services.
www.greenseal.org

EPA Product List: EPA's list of designated products and the accompanying recycled-content recommendations.
www.epa.gov/cpg/products.htm

Recycled Content Products Database: California's Integrated Waste Management Board provides this searchable recycled content products database.
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/RCP/default.asp

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide: The Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota provides this comprehensive guide to sustainable materials.
www.swmcb.org/EPPG

Local ‘Green’ Materials

Local Manufacturers Using Recycled Content: Linkup program lists product manufacturers, product designers, packaging manufacturers and material processors in the Puget Sound area to help increase the use of recycled materials in local manufacturing.
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/linkup/index.asp

Green Business Directory of King County: The Green Business Directory provides lists of businesses and organizations in the Puget Sound region that are committed to protecting our environment.
www.envirostars.com/businesses/find/

Business and Industry Resource Venture: This Seattle organization provides free information, assistance and referrals to help Seattle businesses improve their environmental performance.
www.resourceventure.org/index.htm

Environmental Purchasing in King County: This website lists local suppliers of building materials that qualify under the county's environmental procurement program.
www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/index.htm

EnviroStars: EnviroStars is a program that certifies businesses for their efforts in preventing pollution and reducing hazardous waste in King County.
www.envirostars.com

Green Business Directory in King County: Provides lists of businesses and organizations in the Puget Sound region that are committed to protecting our environment.
www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/greenbusiness

Founders of a New Northwest: Sustainable Northwest's compilation of articles about sustainable business in the northwest states.
www.sustainablenorthwest.org/whoframe.htm

Environmental Home Center: A complete source for green building materials including non-toxic paint, natural carpets, sustainable wood products, energy-efficient insulation and people-friendly cleaning supplies.
www.environmentalhomecenter.com

Certified Wood

Certified Forest Products Council: Forest Stewardship Council certified wood and wood products are listed, along with company certification status.
www.certifiedwood.org

WoodWise Directory: A national list of businesses that are "forest-friendly" and/or FSC certified.
www.coopamerica.org/woodwise/directory.pdf

Smart Wood: This FSC-certified program is the most extensive certification program in the world, administered by the Rainforest Alliance. SmartWood works in all forest types -- tropical, temperate and boreal -- and operations, including natural forests, plantations, large commercial operations and small-scale community projects.
www.smartwood.org

Certified Wood Bulletin: King County Environmental Purchasing Bulletin #56.
www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/bul56.htm

Sustainable Forestry Initiative: The SFI was developed in 1995 by the American Forest & Paper Association, a national trade group that represents forest and paper companies. SFI wood is produced by following a set of forest principles and detailed guidelines that require companies to reforest harvested land promptly, provide for wildlife habitat, improve water quality and ecosystem diversity, and protect forestland of special ecological significance.
goodforests.com/what_is_forestry.htm

back to top

 

Related Sustainability Topics

King County’s Green Building Initiative
Green Building Initiative for King County: The Green Building Initiative applies to commercial projects and establishes Executive Policy to encourage and promote the use of green building practices in all buildings the County constructs, remodels, and renovates. The Initiative directs Offices and Departments to incorporate or support the use of LEED™ (green building ratings for commercial projects) methods and techniques into construction of facilities; and establishes a Green Building Team to educate and guide Departments in green building practices.
www.metrokc.gov/recelec/archives/policies/fes93aep.htm

King Street Center: King Street Center provides an example of a project that recycled or reused 80% of its construction waste.
dnr.metrokc.gov/dnrp/ksc_tour/features/excavation

Heat Islands

Cool Pavements: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's website describes cool pavement technology.
eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/Pavements

Cool Roofs: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's website describes cool roof technology.
eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/CoolRoofs

Cool Roofing Materials Database: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provides an extensive database of cool roofing materials that reflect, or otherwise reject, the sun's radiant energy.
eetd.lbl.gov/coolroof

Light Pollution

Dark Skies: The International Dark-Sky Organization provides information on mitigating the adverse environmental impact on dark skies with quality nighttime lighting.
www.darksky.org/ida/index.html

Smoking Policies

King County Code Title 12: Chapter 12.50 provides the non-smoking policy in county