Publications Catalog. For a complete list of publications on this topic produced by the CalRecycle, see the “green building” section of our Publications Catalog, where you may view online versions, download, or order hard copies.
Case Studies and California Building Profiles. For a list of green building case studies of all building types in addition to a number of building profiles that highlight sustainable features designed into buildings throughout California, see our case studies page.
Building Material Emissions Study. CalRecycle (formerly known as CIWMB) commissioned study that utilized the Section 01350 indoor air quality testing protocols to measure emissions of products common to classrooms and State construction in comparison to alternative products. Have you heard claims that recycled products may contribute to poor indoor air quality? The Building Material Emissions Study is now available to give you the scientific evidence to dispels those myths and prove that there are low-emitting recycled-content products that contribute to healthy indoor environments. While most recycled-content products performed about the same as standard products, some may need further refinement and testing before they can be promoted for wide use indoors, and others are lower emitting.
Designing With Vision: A Technical Manual For Material Choices In Sustainable Construction. This guide addresses why you should choose sustainable design. Designing with Vision includes information on choosing, locating and purchasing recycled-content building products. It also provides sample contract language and recycled-content building product specifications. Designing with Vision offers green building case studies. In addition, it provides strategies for reusing and reducing construction materials and managing job site waste.
Download Designing with Vision in four parts: A | B | C | D
Designing Building Products Made With Recycled Tires was developed in order to provide technical information on physical tire properties for designers of buildings who use tire-derived products. Includes cross-section illustration of a tire and appendix listing tire-derived building and landscape products. Published by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
Life Cycle Costing Study. The Integrated Waste Management Board joined with the State and Consumer Services Agency, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, Air Resources Board, California Department of Transportation, Division of the State Architect, and the Department of Water Resources to develop a methodology for analyzing the cost effectiveness of sustainable building strategies and features.
This study was a key step in implementing Executive Order D-16-00 which required the State to integrate sustainable building practices into its capital outlay design, construction, and operations processes. Unfortunately, like many other governmental and private builders, the State’s current capital outlay process primarily focuses on the building’s “first cost” without much regard to long-term operations and maintenance costs. Often, these long-term operations and maintenance costs have significant impacts on the State’s budget. This study is anticipated to provide data supporting the contention that the use of life-cycle costing will achieve lower total costs throughout the life of the building.
Tire-Derived Resilient Flooring Study
While tire-derived resilient flooring is recommended for large spaces such as auditoriums and boardrooms, the Building Material Emissions Study concluded that these products needed further testing before they could be promoted for wide-use indoors. As a follow-up to this study, the CIWMB funded a Tire-Derived Resilient Flooring Study. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) developed indoor reference exposure levels (iRELs), which are safe levels chemical emissions cannot exceed, to provide guidance on how these products can contribute to healthy indoor living, working, and schools environments. The emissions testing was completed in May 2006. But, staff is working with the Department of Health Services and OEHHA to finalize a report on the project, which is expected to be available in December 2006.
For more information contact: Office of Public Affairs, opa@calrecycle.ca.gov