A materials “Red List” is a list of construction materials you are discouraged or forbidden from using within a project. The materials listed are typically poisonous to humans, harmful to the environment, and/or deemed unsustainable by the organization administering the list.

The Cascadia Region Green Building Council created a materials Red List for its “Living Building Challenge,” a program that aims to push buildings beyond LEED into higher levels of sustainability. Found on page 12 of the Living Building Challenge, the Cascadia Red List includes materials like cadmium, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halogenated flame retardants, and mercury. Many other organizations, such as The Los Angeles Community College District, have also created Red Lists to guide materials selection on future projects.

John Leys, lead reviewer
Bry Sarté, peer review
Nick Lee, research

Tags: Construction, Design, LEED, Red List, USGBG
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