DIRECTIONAL DRIVERS OF SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING: THE IMPACT OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS ON THE MANUFACTURERS OF MATERIALS

摘要

One of the driving forces behind the environmental sustainability movement remains the push towards "green" buildings. As a movement, environmental sustainability has experienced rapid growth and development. In the past five years, there has been a broad shift away from voluntary systems, largely focused on energy and carbon reductions associated with building operations, towards holistic, mandated ones. As part of this movement, there are now green building codes such as CALGreen and the International Green Construction Code, legislation, executive orders and updated green building schemes that will directly impact the manufacturing of materials used in the built environment. Many of these initiatives are beginning to converge towards a common set of requirements for manufacturers. Among the items which will impact manufacturers are the drive for increased recycling and recycled content, limits on chemicals of concern, on-site energy production and storage facilities, a preference for bio-based materials, and a move towards life cycle assessments.