From DIRTT - Green building rating systems are gaining momentum. As a result, many jurisdictions have adapted their building codes & legislation to encourage sustainable construction. Explore five ways DIRTT solutions can help support the need for LEED: Read more...

Building sustainably. It’s more than just a nice afterthought. As green building rating systems gain momentum, many jurisdictions across North America have taken notice. Now sustainable buildings are becoming standard. In fact, many cities have adapted their building codes and legislation to ensure buildings obtain a green certification.

PRECISION MANUFACTURED FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Low-emitting materials

We spend up to 90% of our lives indoors. That means the materials used within the building envelope have a major impact on the people inside. Whenever possible, DIRTT uses products that have low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Applied off-site, this limits the amount of off-gassing that occurs in the client’s finished space. This is important for LEED certification.

Most DIRTT assemblies are certified through Science Certification Systems (SCS) Indoor Advantage Gold, meeting emission standards set by green building rating systems. This helps earns points under the LEED indoor environmental quality (EQ) category.

BETTER MATERIALS FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Product Declarations

DIRTT was the first in our industry to release Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for a variety of our assemblies. An EPD is basically a document that demonstrates the environmental attributes and impacts of a product over its life cycle. From carbon footprint to freshwater consumption, these metrics help designers and architects source greener products. Ultimately, EPDs contribute towards a credit under the materials and resource (MR) LEED category.

Less waste on job sites

Leveraging the power of off-site manufacturing, DIRTT generates significantly less construction waste than the same work done conventionally on-site. It’s a big deal because the amount of waste generated by construction is staggering. In 2018, construction and demolition waste made up more than twice the amount of municipal solid waste generated in the U.S. Our efficient off-site manufacturing can contribute to credits under the MR LEED category.

LIMITING CONSTRUCTION WASTE

Recycled Content

And while we’re reducing waste, why not keep it out of the landfill altogether. When we can, DIRTT sources materials that have a high level of recycled content. Our wall assemblies use aluminum with 50 to 60% recycled content. And our cotton denim insulation is made with 80% post-consumer recycled material. Limiting the need to extract virgin materials reduces energy consumption as well as waste production. DIRTT’s Green team can perform a project-specific calculation of recycled content. This supports the LEED submittal process and recycled content can contribute to credits under the MR LEED category.

RECYCLED ALUMINUM AND DENIM

Sustainable harvesting

Rounding out our list, DIRTT’s use of sustainable timber and medium density fiberboard (MDF). Our timber structures are sustainably harvested. We also offer veneer and MDF that is Chain of Custody certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) (FSC-C006900). This organization maintains a high standard when it comes to harvesting wood products sustainably. This protects biodiversity in forests and benefits the local economy. As a global forest conservation initiative, FSC® products can contribute to credits under the MR LEED category.