Summary
1. EPDs are essential for achieving sustainability certifications like BREEAM and LEED.
2. They offer detailed life cycle assessments that aid in making data-driven, environmentally friendly decisions.
3. EPDs allow for the transparent comparison of products, crucial for sustainable procurement and policy formulation.
4. They help architects and construction companies select materials that improve the lifecycle performance of buildings.
5. EPDs enhance transparency and accountability in both public and private projects.
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I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Sarah Thompson, a seasoned architect who has worked on numerous projects aiming for high sustainability certifications. Sarah passionately shared her insights on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and how they are a game-changer for professionals striving for sustainability.
Sarah began by explaining the fundamentals of an EPD. “An Environmental Product Declaration is essentially a comprehensive report that outlines the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle,” she said. “It’s based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and provides quantitative data on everything from raw material extraction to production, use, and eventual disposal or recycling.”
She stressed that EPDs are standardized and independently verified, adhering to international standards like ISO 14025 and EN 15804, which adds an extra layer of credibility. “This standardisation is crucial,” she noted. “It ensures that the data is reliable and comparable, which is incredibly important for architects and policymakers.”
We delved deeper into how EPDs facilitate certifications such as BREEAM and LEED, which was the focal point of our discussion.
Facilitating Certifications
Sarah’s eyes lit up as she recounted her experiences with sustainability certifications. “For any project aiming to achieve certifications like BREEAM or LEED, EPDs are often a necessity,” she began. “These certifications require detailed documentation of the environmental impact of materials used, and that’s where EPDs come in handy.”
She explained that BREEAM and LEED have specific criteria that must be met to earn points, and EPDs provide the demonstrable environmental benefits needed to meet these criteria. “For instance,” Sarah elaborated, “one of the key aspects of these certifications is reducing the ecological footprint of buildings. EPDs help us choose materials that contribute to this goal by offering transparent, data-driven insights into their environmental performance.”
I asked her for a real-world example to illustrate this point. “Certainly,” she responded. “Take artificial grass, for instance. We had a project where we were considering different types of artificial grass. Thanks to the EPD provided for ONE-DNA™️ artificial grass from LimeGreen®, we could see that it was highly recyclable and free of hazardous substances. This not only helped us earn points for the certification but also aligned perfectly with our sustainability goals.”
Data-Driven Decision Making and Transparency
Sarah also highlighted the broader benefits of EPDs beyond certifications. “EPDs provide an objective insight into the environmental impact of products,” she stated. “This is invaluable for making informed decisions based on solid data rather than assumptions or marketing claims.”
She cited an example involving policymakers. “When policymakers are formulating environmental regulations or sustainable procurement policies, EPDs offer a standardized way to compare different products. This comparability is essential for promoting sustainable choices and ensuring that public projects meet high environmental standards.”
Transparency and accountability are other significant advantages. “Using EPDs allows us to be transparent about the environmental impact of our projects,” Sarah said. “This is crucial for building trust with stakeholders, whether they are clients, regulatory bodies, or the general public.”
I was curious about the practical challenges of integrating EPDs into everyday work. Sarah admitted it requires a bit of a learning curve. “Yes, initially, it can be complex to understand and interpret the data in an EPD,” she acknowledged. “But once you get the hang of it, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Plus, many organisations now offer training sessions and resources to help professionals get up to speed.”
As our conversation drew to a close, Sarah emphasised the future potential of EPDs. “We’re just scratching the surface of what EPDs can offer,” she concluded. “As more industries adopt this practice, the data pool will grow, making it even easier to make sustainable choices. For architects, policymakers, and construction professionals, EPDs are not just a tool but a pathway to a more sustainable future.”
In summary, Sarah’s insights underline the crucial role of EPDs in facilitating sustainability certifications and promoting environmentally responsible decision-making. Whether you’re an architect seeking to improve the lifecycle performance of buildings or a policymaker aiming to formulate data-driven environmental regulations, EPDs offer the transparency and reliability needed to achieve your sustainability goals.
By Lewis Hamilton
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