[Greenbuilding] Big Green: Fw: Green Seal and "Green"Paint (and stains)

[Andrew Pace, CSI]

I know its a blow to the Olestra lovers of the world, but there actually
ingredients found in pre-packaged fat-free foods that are not healthy.  ;)
Actually, the organic food industry is a great example of how our industry
needs to shape up. 

I launched the Degree of Green® system last year after spending the previous
15+ years trying to educate consumers one by one about the many virtues of
green building materials.  If I may, let me describe the average day in my
showroom.  The first customer comes in and says she¹s been on this earth for
50+ years and all that time, she been a burden to the earth.  Therefore, she
want us to consult with her on how she can completely remodel her house
using reclaimed and recycled materials.  The next customer comes in and asks
if we can help them build a home with the least carbon footprint. Finally,
the third customer comes in with her Autistic child and asks us to build a
home that is free of outgassing and toxic materials that could harm her son.
Three completely different situations, but all can be considered ³green².
Neither customer is right or wrong in their needs and beliefs.  We must
alter OUR approach to provide what each wants.

But there are so few materials that can be used in all three homes.  Lets
take paint, for example.  In home #1, I¹d possibly recommend recycled latex
or a product purchased from a ReStore.  In home #2, we would determine the
location of the home and provide sources of natural paints or earthen
plasters that are made closest to them.  Finally home #3, I would suggest
Safecoat, because it has a 30+ year track record with thousands of
chemically sensitive customers around the world.

There is no magic potion or silver bullet, and there are definitely no
perfect green products.  Hence, Degree of Green®.  The criteria I use to
rate and review materials consists of over 35 individual reasons any product
could be considered green.  Recycled content to lifecycle costs.  Human
health concerns to the social justice aspect of the manufacturer¹s labor
practices.  Green can be so many things to so many people, so we lay it out
for them to make up their own mind on what is truly green to them.  The one
issue that seems to override all is the issue of human health concerns.
Everyone I consult with wants the healthiest home possible.  Sustainability,
energy savings, global climate change, etc, all come in second to the issue
of human health.

All of this said, my advice is to use your common sense and not over think
things.  All of the well known and very well funded certification companies
pretty much ignore the human health aspect of green and so do the
manufactureres.  Quite honestly, in all of the years in business, I¹ve never
once had a customer ask me if the paint we recommend meets GS-11.  They
simply want to know, is it safe for my family, is it going to last a long
time, what colors does it come in.

Thanks for allowing me to write...I¹m sure many will disagree with what I am
doing so please feel free to let me know your thoughts.


Andrew Pace
http://www.degreeofgreen.com