Articles » Choose Your Green Products Wisely

Choose Your Green Products Wisely

Tags: Remodeling, Green Design, Home Building

Green ProductsThe "Going Green" phase in home construction has many people confused about what "green manufacturing" really means. Many individuals, companies and organizations are struggling to find the balance between renewable, sustainable, recyclable, LEED certified, NAHB Green Program, Energy Star, energy efficient, net zero, carbon foot print, certified products, low VOC, air quality and a myriad of other green words.

So what is the ultimate goal trying to be achieved? Are we aspiring to save the environment, buy cleaner and healthier products, create personal energy efficiency,  live sustainable lives, recycle more trash? Special interest groups want to push their agenda within the green communities and business are trying to gain some profit from the emphasis being put on this topic so finding the proper information is important for balancing our lives in a green world.

Similar to the health and wellness industry that one day says this vitamin is drastically important and then next month it is not, living green is in this phase today. Do some research and understand what "being green" really means. "Going green" is here to stay and needs to be in the minds of every person on this globe if a change is really going to take place.

What is "Green"?

Don't believe everything you read or hear. Study the basics of what makes a product green, then study the product and make sure it fits the proper criteria. Many companies use the Green catch phase to help promote their product but when looking into the product they are not so green. Many will use recycled products in the manufacturing process but this recycled amount may be very low. Some vinyl products claiming to be green may only have 10% - 15% recycled base in their product. Where as another with a similar product may have 40% - 50% recycled base. Which product has taken "green manufacturing" seriously and which is just using it as a marketing scheme?

Look for green certified products and then read as much as possible about the product. Compare several similar products and see which has made the most effort in "Being Green".