SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

Sustainable building, green building or eco building is simply using resources (materials, energy, water and air) in smarter, more efficient ways so we can build homes that are affordable, warmer, healthier, cheaper to run and better for the environment and future generations.

Below you will find a number of useful resources on sustainable building to assist both building professionals and homeowners. We highly recommend you obtain a copy of our building guides on ‘Sustainable Building’ and ‘How to Minimise Construction Waste’ and available from your local ITM store.

ITM Building Guide: Sustainable Building

Produced in association with BRANZ to provide builders and homeowners with practical, common sense information on energy and water efficiency, air quality and selecting more sustainable building materials. Click here to view a PDF copy (file size 3.5mb). Hard copies are available from your local ITM store.

ITM Building Guide: How to Minimise Construction Waste

Produced in association with; BRANZ, Recyclers of NZ and the Waste Management Institute of NZ. This guide provides builders with simple, cost-effective and practical ways to minimise construction waste. Click here to view a PDF copy (file size 1.75mb). Hard copies are available from your local ITM store.

Sustainable Building Products
Click on the links below to identify building products and services which are backed by independent research and/or certification.

Visit the following sites to search and compare environmental product specifications:

www.Greenbuild.co.nz (NZ)

www.Greenlist.co.nz (NZ)

www.Ecospecifier.org (Australia)

www.Greenspec.co.uk (UK)

www.BuildingGreen.com (US)

Energy Rating Labels - Energy Rating Labels are designed to help you select energy efficient appliances. Labels use star ratings and identify typical energy use over a year to make it easy to compare the energy efficiency of different models. Compare and select the most energy efficient appliances at www.energyrating.gov.au.

ENERGY STAR® is the global mark of energy efficiency, awarded to the most energy efficient products. So now it's easy to be sure before you buy. Just look for the ENERGY STAR®.

Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme (WELS) WELS provides water efficiency and consumption information to consumers, at the point of sale, for a range of water using products. Compare and select the most water efficient plumbing products at www.waterrating.gov.au.

Environmental Choice The New Zealand Eco-labelling Trust is a voluntary, environmental labeling programme, which operates to international standards and principles.

Sensitive Choice Sensitive Choice is a programme offered by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand to identify companies that are committed to reducing asthma and allergy triggers.

Sustainable Timber and Wood Products Here you will find information on certification and other means of identifying legal and sustainable timber products.

Solar Water Heating Here you will find a list of solar water heating suppliers who have provided documentation that indicates their experience and competence to install solar water heating products and their installation practices comply with the Code of Practice for SWH Manufacture and Installation in New Zealand.

Sustainable Homes
Click on the links below for advice and information on how to build more sustainable homes.

Smarter Homes – This website is an excellent resource on sustainable homes. We highly recommend you and your clients visit this site to get a better understanding of sustainable home products and features.

ENERGYWISE™ – The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has developed this site to provide practical information and advice on energy efficiency. The site also includes a number of government funded incentives for home insulation and efficient home and water heating systems.

Home Smarts This website highlights the key products and features used in Beacon Pathway's NOW Home® demonstration homes, located throughout New Zealand to provide research on sustainable building.

LEVEL This website has been developed for the construction industry by BRANZ to help you design and build more sustainable homes.

Home Energy Rating Scheme (HERS) HERS was developed by The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to provide homeowners and building professionals with an independent home energy rating report.

The BRANZ Green Home Scheme An independent method for assessing the environmental performance of new home designs. A certificate is provided for those assessed designs that have a good environmental performance.

Housing NZ Design Guides These design guides describe Housing New Zealand's design and build process from start to finish, making them an indispensable guide for anyone working or thinking about working on affordable housing projects.

Eco Design Advisors – This is an initiative from BRANZ and offered by selected councils around NZ. Eco Design Advisors are specialists who can provide FREE energy, water and material related advice on home building projects, to ensure better use of resources.

Sustainable Business

Click on the links below for advice and information on how to develop a more sustainable building business.

Easy Guide to Helping Kiwi Builders Run a Sustainable and Profitable Business A detailed guide developed by BRANZ to assist small and large building companies to develop their own sustainability programme.

GREENLIST™ Provides a directory of suppliers who use a self assessment process to rate the sustainability of their products and services.

Enviro-Mark® NZ Provides a step-by-step process to enhance a businesses performance in a number of social and environmental areas including: health, safety, legal compliance, environmental risk, resource efficiency (i.e. water, waste, energy, and raw materials) and demonstrating environmental commitment.

CarboNZero or Green Carbon Provide tools and resources to measure, manage, market and offset greenhouse gas emissions with credibility and integrity.

Sustainable Business Network - The Sustainable Business Network is a forum for businesses that are interested in sustainable development practice.

Waste Minimisation
Click on the links below for practical advice and information for builders to minimise their building waste.

ITM Building Guide: How to Minimise Construction Waste

Produced in association with; BRANZ, Recyclers of NZ and the Waste Management Institute of NZ. This guide provides builders with simple, cost-effective and practical ways to minimise construction waste. Click here to view a PDF copy (file size 1.75mb). Hard copies are available from your local ITM store.

Site Waste Management Plan Download your own copy of a site waste management plan for residential construction projects (word format)

Resource Efficiency in the Building and Related Industries (REBRI) Here you will find practical ways to reduce waste disposal costs by using materials more effectively, recycling and reducing the environmental impact from landfill disposal.

Waste Exchange - The waste exchange can put people with waste to dispose of in touch with people who can use it. They are usually supported by local bodies and provide a free service.

Recyclers of New Zealand (RONZ) Here you can learn how to recycle instead of wasting building materials, includes a directory of New Zealand recyclers.

We welcome your feedback

If you have any comments or know of sustainable building websites, resources or services we can add to this section please email us at info@itm.co.nz.