Choosing Sustainable Materials

When evaluating sustainable materials, it’s important to look beyond the upfront cost. Consider the environmental implications, long-term energy benefits, health incentives, and energy freedom it gives you. 

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Traditional materials weigh heavily on our Big Sky environment with their significant emissions, while sustainable materials last longer, improve indoor air quality, and perform better. It’s our job to make choices that preserve our home and its beauty for future generations to enjoy.

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What Does Sustainable Mean? 

Sustainable materials are products that are extracted, used, and disposed of to minimize environmental impact.  

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Sustainable Means:

• Minimized Impact
• Recycled Materials
• Harvested from Renewable Sources
• Reduced Carbon Footprint
• Responsibly Disposed
• High Efficiency

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Categories of Sustainable Materials

Recycled Materials: Recycled  Steel, glass, plastic, reclaimed wood

Renewable Materials: Bamboo, cork, hempcrete

Low-Impact Materials: Rammed earth, straw bales, compressed earth blocks 

Eco-Friendly Finished: Low-VOC paints, natural plasters, and finishes

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The Red List 

The Red List organizes the worst substances by chemical class. The materials on this list contain harmful chemicals and pose serious health and environmental risks. These substances are common in building materials and have been linked to health issues such as respiratory problems, hormone disruptions, cancer, and environmental contamination.

Common Red List Chemicals:

• Formaldehyde (plywood, adhesives) – Respiratory irritant, carcinogen
• Phthalates (vinyl flooring, carpets) – Hormone disruptor
• Flame Retardants (insulation, furniture) – Neurotoxic, persistent pollutant
• Lead (older paint, pipes) – Neurological damage
• PVC (piping, flooring) – Emits toxic chemicals
• PFAS (stain-resistant coatings) – Linked to cancer, immune suppression

How to Avoid Them:

• Choose Declare, Cradle to Cradle, or GreenGuard Gold certified products.
• Opt for natural, untreated alternatives like solid wood and wool insulation.
• Check Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for transparency.

To learn more about the red list, visit Living Future.

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Integrating Sustainable Materials

Planning

Assessment: When evaluating your project, explore the potential for incorporating existing materials into the design. Will these materials enhance the performance and resilience of the building? 

Design Integration: Collaborate with architects, builders, and designers with expertise in implementing sustainable materials into their design to develop an effective strategy that is beautiful and enhances the building’s sustainability. 

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Sourcing

Certified Products: Source materials from certified suppliers like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Cradle to Cradle to ensure that materials are sourced responsibly and have increased performance features.

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Installation

Best Practices: Make sure contractors properly follow manufacturer instructions for proper handling and storage.

Skilled Labor: Choose contractors with experience using alternative materials to help ensure that best practices are followed and materials are installed correctly.

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Further Considerations

Lifecycle Analysis: A lifecycle analysis measures a product's total impact from extraction to installation and disposal. The lifecycle analysis stages include Raw Material Extraction, Materials Processing, Processing of Materials, Product Distribution, Use of Product, and Disposal. 

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Sourcing: When sourcing materials, look for suppliers that are transparent about the environmental impacts of their materials and prioritize certified, eco-friendly products. Some companies specialize in the sale of reclaimed materials. Incorporating salvaged or repurposed materials into your project can greatly decrease your environmental impact and give your building some character.     

Waste Reduction: Implement strategies that reduce waste and manage materials responsibly. Reducing waste during construction is essential to minimize disruption to the surrounding environment. 

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