At EDG we put alot of emphasis on the selection of materials on a project. Ideally the materials and resources for a building not only do less harm, but go even further to regenerate the natural and social environments from which the products originate. To choose the best materials for a project our teams think beyond a products physical attributes but rather focus on the life cycle and ingredients in the product.
For consumers the biggest challenge is identifying what products are truly Green. As public interest in sustainability has grown, so has the practice of Greenwashing, or presenting misinformation to client to portray a product more environmentally friendly than it actually is. Misinformation is especially easy in products that look very similar but might be created in completely different conditions. At EDG we pride ourselves on being able to to take a deeper look into our vendors and really make the best judgement for our clients. All of the vendors and products we work with have been put through vigorous criteria to insure that they fit our sustainability standards.
The attributes we consider the most are:
- Safety- free of toxins and chemicals
- Made in factories that support human health and workers right
- Long lasting, Durable, Reusable
- Sustainably sourced raw materials
- Have intended end of life scenarios that avoid landfills
- Made of Bio Based material
- Contain recycled content
Product Transparency tools like a life-cycle assessment (LCA), Environmental product declarations (EPDs) and material ingredient disclosures provide us with a much more comprehensive picture of the materials and products we are working with. After gathering all this information our teams make much more informed decisions about the benefits these products can have to our clients.