Looking to buy healthy, eco-friendly products for your home, business, lifestyle?

What questions should you ask your retailer, supplier, or manufacturer before you buy?

There are more questions to ask than simply,
“What is it made of?”

For example, below is a list of questions we
(at Solterra Studios) ask our suppliers before we specify eco-friendly finishes and furnishings for our
interior design projects:

If we ask these questions before
we buy, we will naturally make
better choices for ourselves,
others and the earth.

1. Is the material from a natural source, or a man-made synthetic?
   
2. If it is from a natural source, is it…
   a) Not endangered?  Will the use of the product critically deplete the earth’s last supply of it?
   b) Not scarce?  Is the material easily available and in abundant supply?
   c) Easily renewable?  Can it be grown/cultivated quickly to accommodate supply and demand?
   d) If it is wood, does it come from a sustainably managed forest? A certified wood grower? Does it provide an alternative to     preservative treated wood?
   e) Is the material acquired, extracted, or harvested, in an eco-friendly manner?
   f) Does the product use post-industrial or post-consumer recycled material? 
   g) Are the materials available locally?  (within a 500 mile radius) Does it require excessive shipping and energy to transport it?
       What form of transportation is used to get it from one place to another?
   
3. If it is from man-made synthetic material, does it…
   a) Contain or give off toxins at any point in its lifetime?
   b) Is it petroleum based? (ie: vinyl/plastic/nylon)
   c) What is the life of the material after it has been disposed?  What are the effects on the environment? 
   d) Are the materials available locally? (within a 500 mile radius) Does it require excessive shipping and energy to transport it? 
       What form of transportation is used to get it from one place to another?

1. What kind of impact does the manufacturing of the product have on the environment and the employees?
   a) Are any toxic or man-made substances (i.e.: metal dyes; toxic glues; formaldehyde) added to the product during the     manufacturing process? Are they toxic?
   b) What by-products are produced from making the product?  Are they toxic? Is the disposal of them a problem?
   c) How much fresh water is used during the process?  All manufacturing systems use fresh water, some more than others. Is     the process able to use minimal water amounts during operation?
   d) How much energy is consumed in the production?  Does it require large amounts of electricity and/ or fuel to run the system?
   e) Are any of the ingredients tested on animals?
   f) What are the social working conditions of the manufacturing facility?
   g) How is the product packaged?  Are earth friendly packing materials used?
   h) Is the product minimally processed? 
    i) It is manufactured locally? Does it require excessive shipping and energy to transport it? What form of transportation is used     to get it from one place to another? What is the carbon footprint of the product?    

C) PRODUCT INSTALLATION

1. Are any chemicals used or released during installation?
2. Does the product out-gas? If so, how long does it take for the out-gassing to be complete?
3. How much product is needed for the project? Is excess waste created during the installation process? (i.e.: excess from matching repeat patterns in carpet, wallpaper?)
4. Ask to see an installation.
5. Talk to the end users. Ask them about their experience with the product.

1. How durable is the product? 
   a) Will it perform for a long time or must it be replaced frequently?
   b) Can it be fixed quickly and easily?

E) PRODUCT MAINTENANCE

1. How is the product maintained in the field?
   a) Does it clean easily with non-toxic cleaners?
   b) Will it require chemicals to remove the soil and stains?
2. Are pesticide treatments necessary at any time throughout its useful life?

F) END OF PRODUCTS’ LIFE

1. When the product needs to be replaced, what happens to the old material?
   a) Can the product be recycled into the same product or into other products?
   b) Will the manufacturer take it back and recycle it?
   c) Can the product be composted?
   d) Will the product end up in a landfill? If so, how long will it take to decompose?

G) MISCELLANEOUS

1. Does the product support or enhance occupants’ health? How does it affect indoor air quality?
2. Does it reduce the impact on new construction and/or overall building maintenance, ie: on heating/cooling loads? Does it conserve energy? Conserve water?
3. Has the product earned an “energy star” rating, or other “green” certification?
4. Does it support a good cause?
5. Is it made with good intentions?
6. Does the manufacturer have an environmental statement? If so, ask to see it. Do they have a sustainable mission?