ECO Construction

ion other products in our homes and workplaces) contain toxins that off-gas into the air. ECO Construction strives to use products with zero or very low VOCs (volatile organic compounds), a measure of the amount of chemicals that will off-gas. VOCs can be hazardous to human health when inhaled, and also contribute to the formation of atmospheric smog. We use LEED standards for low-emitting materials as a minimum, but we aim to promote products that exceed these standards. We also carry products that either help to identify toxic or allergenic substances in indoor air, or to filter them out. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design: the U.S. Green Building Council's green rating program for buildings. Local

To reduce transportation and fuel costs, and also help support local green job growth, Eco Constructiont strives to source products that are made within a 500-mile radius of our Galveston headquarters. We are interested in the carbon footprint of the whole product, from start to finish. We let you know whether the raw materials, intermediate processing of materials or components, or final manufacturing and assembly of any product we use takes place locally. Social Responsibility

HOW AND WHERE PRODUCTS ARE MADE AFFECTS US ALL. Companies that go the extra mile to improve environmental and safety performance at their factories, and that make meaningful contributions to their host communities, are more likely to capture our attention than those that do not. Energy

AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME IS COMFORTABLE AND AFFORDABLE LONG-TERM. ECO Construction evaluates products to determine whether they conserve energy compared to "mainstream" products. The majority of energy that a product consumes over its lifecycle is consumed while the product is being used (and not during its manufacturing). We prefer products that meet or exceed EPA's Energy Star criteria. Conservation

SMART CHOICES CAN PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES WITHOUT COMPROMISING LIFESTYLE. A number of criteria are used to determine if a product helps to conserve or protect natural resources. We look at the type and quantity of material used to make the product, including the percentages of rapidly renewable sources and recycled goods (both pre- and post-consumer) that it contains. We use products that help the user save water and the energy to heat water. In addition, we look at the chemical constituents of the products we carry so that they will not harm aquatic ecosystems when they end up in our wastewater. We also seek out durable products, so as to minimize the need to replace worn-out products with new ones. Finally, we prefer products that are made from well-managed forests and certified by third-party organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council.