SOFTWARE REVIEWS A Review of Green Product Databases
Prachi Nimse, Abhilash Vijayan, Ashok Kumar, and Charanya Varadarajan
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606
Published online 14 June 2007 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ep.10210 INTRODUCTION
web has resulted in the introduction and popularity
The extraction of natural resources for manufactur-
of green products. Numerous organizations have cre-
ing and production has resulted in the speedy deple-
ated unique websites documenting their knowledge
tion of our once vast natural wealth. Large quantity
on alternative products that help the humans and the
of resources currently in excess of 10 tons of raw
environment. A search on Yahoo! search engine on
materials per person annually is extracted in the
May 15, 2007 came up with over 1 million potential
United States (US) alone [1]. During production, vari-
sites on the phrase ‘‘Green Products’’ alone. Although
ous toxic chemicals are used and released, which are
the availability of such extensive information is a
not only harmful to the workers but also to the sur-
good step towards environmental sustainability, it
rounding environment. The waste generated during
creates a dilemma for the environmental professionals
the production process is partially treated and dis-
in choosing the green products. The purpose of this
posed into the streams or taken to the landfills, thus
study is to present the reader a brief review of useful
resulting in the pollution of land, water, and air
sites on the subject along with a few selected green
media. According to the US Environmental Protection
product databases in each industry.
Agency (EPA), *12 billion tons of industrial waste is
generated every year in the US, of which over 4 bil-
lion tons is hazardous and is growing at a rate of 10% USE OF GREEN PRODUCTS
annually [1]. After production, many finished products
Green products may be defined as products that
in use emit harmful toxic chemicals. For example,
contain recycled materials, reduce waste, conserve
paints may emit volatile organic compounds that
energy or water, use less packaging, and reduce the
could have lethal impact on the people nearby and
amount of toxics disposed or consumed as shown in
the environment. At the end of its life cycle the prod-
Figure 1. These products are less harmful on humans
uct usually finds a place in landfills or incineration
and their environment compared with the traditional
plants, adding to the already rising problem of solid
products in use, and are more socially, economically, and hazardous waste.
and environmentally viable in the long run.
Environmental awareness created over the last
Pollution is generated at almost all the stages in
three decades has led to the consideration of sustain-
the life cycle of a product viz, during production,
able activities at different levels of government, cor-
use, and disposal. Therefore, greening the manufac-
poration, and public sectors. Everyone is looking for
turing process from the start to the end of the life-
a healthier environment at a reasonable cost. The
cycle will have tremendous positive impacts for the
concept of using green products emerged to help so-
entire ecosystem [2,3]. Berger points out that because
ciety achieve sustainable consumption, and many
of environmental challenges, cost competition, con-
programs have been launched in the wake of such
sumer and shareholder demands; the need for pollu-
realizations in the industrialized nations to address
tion prevention is stronger than ever [4]. More specifi- this opportunity.
cally, pollution prevention (P2) in an industrial envi-
The outcome of regulatory and consumer con-
ronment means the in-plant practices, including, but
sciousness to the protection of the environment due
not limited to process modifications, feedstock substi-
to vast research based information available on the
tutions, product reformulation, and management prac-
tices or housekeeping alterations, recycling within
industrial processes, and equipment replacement or
Ó 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers
modifications [3,5]. Environmentally conscious manu-
Environmental Progress (Vol.26, No.2) July 2007 131
Figure 1. Characteristics of green products (Source: compiled from http://www.wbdg.org/design/greenproducts. php).
facturing takes into account the regulations and
ronmental consciousness in their shopping decisions
requirements for environmental safety to fully incorpo- [11].
rate the perspective in the manufacturing of new prod-
ucts from conceptual design to final delivery and to the
AVAILABLE DATABASES AND TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE end-of-life disposal [6]. PRODUCT SELECTION
In recent times, it is observed that there has been
The characteristics of green products can vary sig-
a sudden boom in the industries for green products
nificantly depending on the materials. The evaluation
and the consumers too are looking for greener prod-
of green products due to its high variability requires
ucts. Some studies suggest that consumers not only
a working knowledge of (1) relevant health and envi-
desire to purchase the environmentally friendly prod-
ronmental impact issues associated with different ma-
ucts but also are willing to pay more to do so. There
terial types, (2) government, industry, and third-party
has also been an increase in the number of firms pro-
standards for green products, where they exist, and
ducing greener products. In various parts of the
(3) available green products in the marketplace,
world green marketplaces are developing to deliver
including their specific green attributes, performance
the products to those consumers whose buying deci-
characteristics, appearance, and costs [12].
sions are at least partly affected by their personal
EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG)
environmental criteria [7]. For example, Martin and
program promotes the reuse of recovered material
Simintiras state a 2000 percent increase in the number
from solid waste, thus ensuring manufacturing using
of green products offered by companies in the 5
recycled materials. The CPG designates items in the
years to 1990, bringing the green products to a 9.2%
following eight product categories: paper and paper
of all new product introductions in the UK in the first
products, vehicular products, construction products,
half of 1990 [8]. Similar increases in the number of
transportation products, park and recreation prod-
green products available to consumers were observed
ucts, landscaping products, nonpaper office products,
in the US over the same period as well. For example,
and miscellaneous products (Table1). EPA gathers in-
the 5% of new green products identified in the US
formation based on research and several require-
market in 1989 increased to 10% in 1990 [9]. Studies
ments of the Resource Conservation and Recovery
also show that *83.7% consumers preferred buying
Act (RCRA), to identify products that have a potential
food packaged in environmentally safe materials,
to be manufactured from recovered materials. The
with a 77.6% willing to pay more for such packaging,
availability of the recovered material, the impact of its
clearly showing that consumers play an important
procurement on the solid waste stream and economic
role on purchasing ecologically sound products [10].
and technological feasibility of the procurement are
The increasing number of green product customers
all considered before selecting potential recyclable
can be concluded from the Gallop surveys which
material. The different categories that EPA addresses
concluded that >75% of US consumers include envi-
are published in a series of fact sheets summarizing 132 July 2007
Environmental Progress (Vol.26, No.2)
Table 1. Product categories in the EPA’s comprehensive procurement guideline program. Paper and paper products Vehicular products Playground surfaces Engine coolants Running tracks Rebuilt vehicular parts Landscaping products Re-refined lubricating oils Food waste compost Retread tires Garden and soaker hoses Construction products Hydraulic mulch Building insulation products Lawn and garden edging Carpet cushion
Plastic lumber landscaping timbers and posts
Cement and concrete containing coal fly ash Yard trimmings compost
Ground granulated blast furnace slag Nonpaper office products Cenospheres, or silica fume
Binders (plastic covered, chipboard, and pressboard)
Consolidated and reprocessed latex paint Office furniture Floor tiles Office recycling containers Flowable fill Office waste receptacles Laminated paperboard Plastic binders Modular threshold ramps Plastic clipboards Nonpressure pipe Plastic file folders Patio blocks Plastic clip portfolios Polyester carpet Plastic presentation folders
Railroad grade crossing surfaces Plastic desktop accessories Roofing materials Plastic envelopes
Shower and restroom dividers and partitions Plastic trash bags Structural fiberboard Printer ribbons Transportation products Toner cartridges Channelizers Miscellaneous products Delineators Awards and plaques Flexible delineators Bike racks Parking stops Blasting grit Traffic barricades Industrial drums Traffic cones Manual-grade strapping Park and recreation products Mats Park benches and picnic tables Pallets Plastic fencing Signage Playground equipment Sorbents
information on the CPG program, EPA’s recovered
green products for the health care industry as given
materials content recommendations, case studies, in SHP [14].
and key resources, associations, and partner web-
Energy management and the use of energy effi- sites [13].
cient choices can help reduce energy consumption
The Sustainable Hospitals Program (SHP) devel-
and energy costs, thus indirectly saving the environ-
oped by the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production
ment from increased green house gas emissions.
provides a list of occupational and environmental
ENERGY STAR, a collaborative program by the EPA
friendly alternative products for the health care indus-
and the Department of Energy makes available certi-
try to attain hazard free and sustainable work prac-
fied energy star product information for both com-
tices. The SHP concentrates on practices and prod-
mercial and noncommercial everyday uses that pro-
ucts that minimize hazards and cost while maximizing
vide a sustainable solution to the energy and environ-
quality care. The SHP integrates the concepts of pol-
mental crisis without sacrificing the comfort. The
lution prevention with safer work practices in the
program also offers tools and resources to help de-
health care industry to bring about environmental
velop a viable energy reduction strategy that allows
sustainability without compromising the occupational
the consumer to monitor current energy performance,
and environmental safety. The SHP website hosts in-
set goals and track savings, and as a result improve
formation on the material and work practices in the
the comfort, reduce the energy bills and protect the
health industry, and the tools to help in evaluating
environment. Over 30,000 buildings across the nation
the current practices in a hospital, and the alternative
have already used EPA’s innovative energy perform-
materials to make a healthier hospital. The tool offers
ance rating system. EPA also recognizes top perform-
different search options for ease of use such as find
ing buildings with the ENERGY STAR. Products in
products by category, manufacturer, hazard, or prod-
>50 categories that use less energy, save money, and
uct name. Table2 lists the different categories of
the environment are eligible for the ENERGY STAR.
Environmental Progress (Vol.26, No.2) July 2007 133
Table 2. Green product categories for health care industry from the sustainable hospitals program. By category By hazard Barometers
Latex free products—Catalogs and suppliers Accelerators (in rubber products) Batteries
Manufacturers of alternative materials Cadmium and processes Bedding products Neonatal products Cleaners Blood bags Office supplies—PVC-free DEHP Body bags
Patient identification bracelets Ergonomic Catheters Radiation shielding Formaldehyde Cleaning Recycling equipment Glutaraldehyde Dental mercury removal systems Respiratory therapy products Latex Dialysis
Safety needles and sharps devices Mercury Disinfection and sterilization Scoliometers PVC Electrodes Sequential compression device Radiation Enteral feeding products Shower curtains Sharps Gastrointestinal tubes
Sphygmomanometers and calibrators Waste Gloves Sterilants Xylene
Home Care products—Sharps boxes
Thermometers—Lab and industrial Infectious waste (red) bags Thermometers—Medical IV solutions and sets
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
Laboratory chemicals and equipment Vaccines
The ENERGY STAR website has exhaustive informa-
provided in the directory by the California Integrated
tion on different product categories such as commer-
Waste Management Board includes different product
cial appliances, commercial food service, commercial
categories such as agriculture and landscape, animal
heating and cooling, commercial transformers, com-
husbandry, automotive and traffic, clothing and
mercial lighting, construction products, electronics,
accessories, construction, containers, feedstock, floor-
office products, residential appliances, residential
ing, furniture and accessories, industrial, marine,
heating and cooling, and residential lighting [15].
office supplies, packaging, paper and paper products,
Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organiza-
parks, and recreation and sports [17].
tion that evaluates and certifies green products.
Building for Environmental and Economic Sustain-
Green Seal issued its first environmental standards in
ability (BEES) software is a decision support tool that
1991–1992, and currently their standards cover over
helps to select cost-effective and environmentally 40 major product categories. The organization
preferable building products. The tool is developed
actively assists government agencies, universities, and
by the National Institute of Standards and Technol-
building industries in practicing green sustainable
ogy, and hosts economic performance data for over
operations and options that improve the quality of
230 building products. The environmental perform-
both the business and life. The different products
ance is measured by assessing its entire life cycle
categorized under the certification program include
from raw material acquisition to manufacture, trans-
hand cleaners, electric chillers, cleaners, fleet vehicle
portation, installation, use, recycling, and waste man-
maintenance, floor care products, lodging properties,
agement. Economic performance of a product is
paints and coatings, papers and newsprint, and win-
measured using the lifecycle cost method and is com-
dows and doors. Choose Green Reports function pro-
bined with its environmental performance into an
vides information on the potential savings, alternate
overall performance measure to assist in multi-ele-
approaches, purchasing criteria based on a life-cycle
ment decision making [18]. Many tools utilize the
approach, rationales for the criteria, recommenda-
concepts of environmental sustainability in product
tions of specific brands and models of products that
selection for building performance analysis and
meet the criteria, product sources, and case histories
reviews of some of the important tools are given by
that illustrate the benefits of the recommended Vijayan and Kumar [19,20].
approach. The website is also very detailed in provid-
Database of Green Products version 1.0, ‘‘DGP1.0,’’
ing basic information on the benefits of greening the
developed at the University of Toledo [21] is a con-
purchasing and products supply chain [16].
tinuing effort to gather and make available informa-
Recycled-Content Product Directory is a database
tion on a variety of green products from different
of products containing recycled materials along with
web resources at one place for easy accessibility for
additional information on the manufacturers, distribu-
the consumers. The main purpose of the database is
tors, and re-processors of these products. This data-
to help the consumers, whether commercial or
base is aimed at individuals, small businesses owners,
domestic, to identify the green options that are avail-
state agencies, and corporate buyers. The information
able for various purposes, thus enabling them to 134 July 2007
Environmental Progress (Vol.26, No.2)
Table 3. Additional resources on green products. Green procurement/EPP ATHENA
Environmental assessment tool that helps http://www.athenasmi.ca/ building designers to compare tools/database/index.html
environmental affects, find alternative
design solutions based on life cycle
analysis of structural products,
cladding products, gypsum boards,
and other related building products Coating applications research
Helps Midwest manufacturers to test http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/ laboratory (CARL)
state-of-the-art pollution prevention CMTI/CARL/
technologies under the guidance of
personnel expert in their application
Consumer reports greener choice
Evaluate green products based on http://www.greenerchoices.
environmental claims, explain issues, org/ and make recommendations for choosing products
Eco S.A.T (Self-assessment tool)
Designed to help professional purchasers http://www.cec.org/eco-sat/
evaluate their organization’s english/index.html
environmental purchasing initiatives and identify opportunities for improvement ECO-Find
Provides information and access to the http://www.ecobuy.org.au/
increasing number of green product director/ecofind.cfm suppliers by product search or keyword search Ecospecifier
Database of eco-preferable products and http://www.ecospecifier.org/
materials for the construction industry, content/view/full/43
specifically targeted at the needs of decision makers Environmental products
Environmental product and services www.gsa.gov/enviro guide—GSA
database for federal customers to comply with procurement
responsibilities outlined in federal
environmental laws and regulations Environmental stewardship—
Provides information on material https://nicext.lanl.gov/ Pollution prevention—
substitution alternatives and links to Los Alamos national laboratory
over 26 material substitution related (P3O) material substitution sites on the Internet resource list EPEAT
Ranks computer desktops, laptops and http://www.epeat.net/
monitors based on their environmental attributes EPP database
Environmental information database on http://yosemite1.epa.gov/
over 600 products and services to help oppt/eppstand2.nsf
in purchasing products and services
with reduced environmental impacts Global Eco-labeling network
Environmental performance labeling http://www.gen.gr.jp/
organization to improve, promote and
develop the eco-labeling of products and services Greenspec
Directory of environmentally preferred http://www.buildinggreen. products based on 27 criteria, com/
including recycled content, reduced
demolition impacts, durability, and energy efficiency ILSR
Provides information on substitutes for http://www.ilsr.org/ synthetic chemicals Northeast recycling council
Directory is a compendium of vendor http://www.nerc.org/
websites that either sell green GreenPurchasing/
products or provide green services adtnlgrnvndrs.html (continued)
Environmental Progress (Vol.26, No.2) July 2007 135
Table 3. Additional resources on green products (Continued) Green procurement/EPP NSW green goods Helps government employees to http://www.greengoods.nsw.
incorporate sustainability principles gov.au/index.htm into purchasing decisions and procurement systems Performance specifications
Assist purchasers to buy the most http://www.pprc.org/specs/ database
environmentally preferable paints and index.cfm
coatings that meet stated performance specifications SAGE—Solvents alternative Comprehensive guide providing http://clean.rti.org guide
pollution prevention information on
solvent and process alternatives for parts cleaning and degreasing UNEP-IAPSO product criteria
Search database for websites on http://www.uneptie.org/pc/ database
sustainable procurement and on eco- sustain/policies/ labeling programs green_find.asp
select and adopt environment friendly practices and
Many other tools and databases are available on
processes. DGP1.0 tool is aimed to assist small and
the internet. A detailed list of additional pollution
medium sized industries in their pollution prevention
prevention resources available on the web are given
efforts to build a safe and healthy environment. This
by Vijayan et al. [22]. A limited list on some of those
tool presents >400 products that contain recycled
sustainable procurement tools are given in Table3.
content, reduce waste, conserve energy or water, use
less packaging, and reduce the amount of toxics dis-
posed or consumed are considered to be green prod- CONCLUSION
ucts that are based on a review of over 300 sites. Fol-
The unrestricted use of resources since the indus-
lowing is the list of product types available in the
trial revolution has led to a series of environmental database:
issues. With the growing population, the need to
Industrial: Wrenches, cleaners, clutch, computing
implement resource-efficient measures on human ac-
products, control valves, flow meters, industrial
tivity to reduce strain on the resource capacity of the
cleaning products, insulation products, industrial
earth has become obligatory. The move towards
coatings, industrial fasteners, industrial heavy prod-
green products is one step towards achieving a
ucts, insulation products, laser products, lubricants,
healthier ecosystem. Better information sharing and
primers, industrial tools, industrial suppliers etc.
advanced environmental consciousness of individuals
Construction: Brush, fillers, paint, finishes, floor-
and businesses will revolutionize green procurement
ing products, interior products, polishes etc.
to greater heights leading to increased use of green
Household: Cleaning devices, bio-products, cloth-
products in every day activities.
ing and accessories, green composting, soaps, sol-
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