Turn the Right Choice into the Easy Choice

Invest in Tools

Find tools to support every stage of product selection.

• To search only within low-carbon options: Talk to Material Bank about their Carbon Impact program.
• To find products that have your documentation requirements: Use Ecomedes.
• To compare Embodied Carbon emissions on products that you have shortlisted: Use EC3.
• To understand the holistic impact of a product: Use mindful MATERIALS. 

Save Good Specs

Promote good specs to a “Master Spec” list—an internal document, organized by product division—so low-carbon products make their way into all projects. This can be as simple as a shared spreadsheet or can be a database tool like MATTER. 

Make Digital Search Criteria “Sticky”

Establish clear criteria or use search tools that can focus or narrow designers’ searches based on the firm’s material decision protocol around specifying better materials and products. For example: Set default search filters in Material Bank, Ecomedes, or other sites that work for your project goals or firm’s goals.

Communicate Clearly to Internal and External Stakeholders 

Use resources that simply and clearly compare different products within each division to talk to both project teams and clients about low-carbon options. EC3 provides comparisons within nine materials categories: concrete, steel, wood, glass, aluminum, insulation, gypsum, carpet, and ceiling tiles. 

Track Your Choices on Projects 

After projects are completed, record how your specification choices adhered to the criteria you set.