Recycled Building Products Versus Standard Products

The California Integrated Waste Management Board has released an emissions study that shows there is very little difference in the performance of recycled-content building materials versus standard products.

While recycled-content products have been promoted for use in sustainable buildings, little was known regarding chemical emissions from such products. Previous studies have been done on various building materials, but they did not compare building products with low or no recycled content with those containing high amounts of recycled content, rapidly renewable products, or products containing no or low volatile organic compounds. As a result, many recycled-content products have been subject to greater scrutiny than their standard counterparts.

Specifically focussed on materials commonly used in classroom environments, the study found little difference between standard and alternate materials but did emphasise the importance of proper ventilation for good indoor air quality.

Source: CIWMB