Piloting, Scaling and Committing to Healthier Materials

When it comes to toxic chemicals, there is an urgent need for market transformation. Occupants, tradespeople, and fence line communities are being contaminated by the chemical manufacturing industry, which raises concerns about environmental racism and injustice. We can support these communities by reducing and eliminating classes of chemicals from our buildings. 
 
This session presents four entities who have stepped up to the challenge: MIT, Colby College, Shepley Bulfinch, and Thornton Tomasetti. Panelists will share their stories of what led them to examine material decisions and the internal challenges to organizational engagement and commitment to healthier alternatives, with the goal of creating market demand for healthier products.

Session Chair(s): 

Event Time: 

Friday, May 7, 2021 - 9:30am to 11:00am

Room / Location:

CEU Information: 

AIA 1.5 LU/HSW
BPI 1.5 hours
Mass. CSL 1.5 hour Energy
4.5 credit-hour packets available from PHIUS, RESNET, and Mass. CSL

Learning Objectives:

  • Teach others about the urgency of individual and organization action towards chemical reform in today's materials market.
  • Share tools and methods used to create a demand for healthier building products.
  • Develop a roadmap to healthier materials on their own project, or a healthier initiative at their own campus or workplace that considers education, transparency, key partnerships, internal commitments, occupant engagement, and pilot projects.
  • Implement a process informed by lessons learned from institutions and firms that have stepped up to the challenge.

Session ID: 

BOS21-703

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