Wikis tagged with sustainable-materials

Why Products Containing Formaldehyde Should be Avoided Pressed wood products (hardwood plywood wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard) commonly contain formaldehyde resins. "Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and...

The following principles of sustainable design were penned by William McDonough, author of Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. These guidelines serve as an excellent place to start on the path to understanding sustainable design in any field. 1. Insist on rights of humanity and nature to co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable condition. 2. Recognize interdependence. The elements of human design interact with and depend upon the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design considerations to recognizing even...

Background Information Steel Recycling Steel is the world most recycled material, with almost 76 million tons of steel recycled in the U.S. in 2006. Every ton of steel that is recycled saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone. New steel made with recycled material uses as little as 26 percent of the energy required to make steel from raw materials extracted from nature. (For more information, see Steel Takes LEED With Recycled Content at www.recycle-steel.org.) Aluminum Recycling Aluminum is also recycled extensively and provides a valuable...

AFM SafeChoice 3 in 1 Adhesive Safecoat 3 in 1 Adhesive is a low odor, not toxic, water-based adhesive designed for hard composition wall and floor tiles and carpeting. AFM Safecoat Caulking Compound Safecoat Caulking Compound is a not-toxic, water-based, elastic emulsion type caulking compound designed to replace oil caulk and putty for windows, cracks and general maintenance work. It will not dry out or crack and does not release any solvents or obnoxious odors. Safecoat Caulking Compound provides a water resistant, flexible, easy to install, non sag sealant with excellent initial and...

Introduction Bioplastics are a form of plastics derived from sources such as plant oils and starches, rather than petroleum.   Note about acrylic: During the course of research for this project, we were unable to find a material suitable for replacing clear acrylic for use in museum environments. Bioplastic technology does not seem to be refined enough to produce this kind of product. The current best option for replacing acrylic seems to be using traditional glass - for its clarity, durability and recyclability. Update: Though not offering a definite substitute for acrylic, these...

"No material brings nature indoors better than wood. At the same time, almost half of the world's original forests have been cut down (approximately 7.4 billion acres), and an average of 39.5 million acres are added to the loss column each year. The destruction of forests releases tons of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas and culprit behind global climate change, into the Earth's atmosphere. Deforestation also reduces the diversity of plant and animal species in these rich habitats.   "The U.S. leads the way in wood consumption, representing almost one third of the global wood-buying...

Kirei Made from the stalks of sorghum left over after the cereal crop is harvested. The stalk fibers are held together by a combination of non-VOC, non-toxic adhesive and heat pressing. Homasote Wallboard made from recycled paper. Agriboard Made from compressed wheat and rice straw. PaperStone Composite material made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper and non-petroleum resins. Dakota Burl Composite board made from sunflower hulls. Can also be stained with conventional stains. Biofiber Wheat Composite board made from wheat straw. Microstrand Industrial grade composite made from...

Natural Textiles Organic Cotton   Production experts report that organic cotton fibers have the same fiber strength, length and other properties as conventional cotton. Organic cotton is produced in organic agricultural systems that produce food and fiber according to clearly established standards. Organic agriculture prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers, as well as genetically modified organisms. It seeks to build biologically diverse agricultural systems, replenish and maintain soil fertility, and promote a healthy environment. Organic Cotton...

Designing for Disassembly "What's the best future we can imagine for our disused stuff? We can design things to be disassembled, but the ultimate strategy would use excellent materials, easy to recover - and ward the landfill off in perpetuity. The goal is the closed loop, in which objects are continuously remade, spiraling upward in quality and harmlessness. This is the trash of the finest ingredients, reflecting the fact that things can't last forever, and that fashions, in fact, change frequently... Making things easy to take apart also makes them easy to repair." From...

"As a rule, materials from renewable sources should be specified. For example, timber displaying the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) mark is from a managed forest which does not deplete the resource. Minimum processing is involved in its extraction and manufacture, consequently it also has the advantage of low embodied energy.   "Materials that are easily biodegradable should be specified over those that take many years to break down. Materials should also be chosen that do not release toxins into the environment as they decompose.   "To reduce pollution, the toxicity of materials over...

ecoresin by 3Form Plastic sheets and panels, various products available with 40% to 100% recycled content. Clarity ranges from translucent to solid; patterns and colors also available.   IceStone Durable surfaces made from recycled glass and concrete. Certified Cradle to Cradle by MBDC   Sandhill Tiles Tiles made from 100% recycled glass. Available in many colors and textures.   Bedrock Industries Tiles, tumbled glass and other products made from 100% recycled glass.   Aurora Glass Tiles, architectural accents and other products made from 100% recycled glass.   LivingGlassDecorative...

Introduction "The way a product is manufactured may be as important as the product itself, especially when considering its environmental impact and potential health risks. When wood products carry the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certification label, consumers can be confident that the product's chain of custody (all stages of production, distribution and sales) have been independently evaluated and held to standards that protect not only forest ecology but the rights of workers and indigenous peoples as well. And with regard to personal health, the issue is less about whether you...

Closing the Loop "Products can be designed so that their individual components are easily retrieved at the end of their life; this can be instrumental in facilitating recycling and reuse of materials. Designing for the reuse of materials is one way of reducing the amount of material destined for landfill.   "In exhibition design waste can be greatly reduced if an exhibition is designed for disassembly. To do so successfully designers must consider disassembly from the conception stage. They should determine who will be responsible for dismantling the exhibit and separating it into its...

Design for reuse and a second life   Museum exhibitions are usually one-shot deals, with components custom designed and fabricated for use in only one exhibition. Few designers consider what will happen to the components when that exhibition has run its course. For example, what happens to traveling exhibitions, which often are designed and built for a three- to six-year life, when they complete their tour? Sometimes, museums will take them as semi-permanent exhibitions. Sometimes no one wants them. And what happens to their crates? They, too, are usually custom built. But what if the...