Source and reuse of materials Choose materials that are:
lifecycle certified by an accredited scheme (for example, Good Environmental Choice Australia, Global GreenTag, EcoSpecifier Global)
renewable, in preference to those from finite resources
low in embodied energy, unless that will be balanced by operating energy savings
certified as not threatening to biodiversity
low toxicity in both production and operation
high in renewable or recycled content (for example, fibre cement cladding, sustainably managed forest timber frames or recycled plastic/sawdust decking), as long as the durability and performance are appropriate.
Design for:
structural efficiency to minimise overall material use, waste, transport and processing
deconstruction, recycling and reuse
construction systems with known low wastage rates and environmentally sound production processes.
Transportation
Use locally made products where possible to reduce transportation.
In remote areas, avoid systems with a high on-site labour component to reduce travelling.
Site-specific considerations Other considerations that may be relevant to your site include:
specific site requirements such as slope, stormwater, sediment control, biodiversity impact, noise control and fire resistance
regulatory and planning issues
exposure to natural hazards such as fire, termites, storms, UV and humidity.
