A method of harvesting or using a resource so that it is not depleted.

Certifying Agencies

UL Certified

Green Building Challenge

The Lacey Act

Health Product

Declarations

Forest Stewardship

Council (FSC)

Cradle to Cradle

Intertek

Life Cycle Assessment

Declare

Level U.S. Green Building

Council

Healthier Hospitals

Mindful Materials

Living Building Challenge

Well Building Institute

The main considerations when designing a sustainable interior should be to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce waste, and encourage the reuse and recyclability of materials. Designers should be aware of several factors that encourage the use of sustainable materials and products.

Healthy Environments

Spaces that can maintain improved air quality, efficient heating, natural ventilation, and correct acoustics, and promote healthier occupancy. This can be achieved by the use of low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions or toxins from furniture or products, and incorporating plants to offset carbon dioxide.

Energy Efficiency

Aims to reduce the amount of energy needed for heating, lighting, and appliances. From a product selection standpoint, this includes using energy-efficient lighting, as well as interior and exterior window treatments to offset natural heat gain, or conversely to take advantage of sunlight and solar panels. Ensuring proper insulation, floor assemblies, radiant flooring, and carpets provides thermal insulators at a building’s perimeter.

Waste Reduction

By recycling, upcycling, and repurposing materials, designers can reduce waste. Opting for synthetic materials that are made from recycled materials can also minimize and divert waste from landfills. In the cradle-to-cradle approach, waste material becomes new products, forming a circular loop.

Longevity and Flexibility

When selecting durable materials, choose quality over quantity. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodology that evaluates the entire life cycle of a product, including extraction, production, transportation, processing, and waste disposal or recovery of materials.

Lower Environmental Impact

Choose materials with the lowest impact on the environment, such as wood, wool, and stone, and highly renewable materials like bamboo or cork. There are many third-party certifications, initiatives, and rating systems that exist in most countries that rank or reward projects or products with wellness declarations.