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What is Green Contractor Certification?

With the current worldwide concern for the environment, even the commercial contractors and builders in the construction industry have recognized the need for developing a sustainable environment in the workplace, whether on the jobsite or away from it. Being a green contractor means having a positive impact on the environment by reducing waste, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution while saving energy, water and raw materials.

To recognize those in the industry who support environmental construction concerns, and to enable the public to more readily identify these commercial contractors and builders, a Green Contractor Certification program has been developed by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), founded in 1950, is a nationwide association of 25,000 companies representing all the specialties in the construction industry in the United States, mostly in the commercial and industrial sectors.

To gain Green Contractor Certification, commercial contractors and builders need to fulfill a list of basic prerequisites in their own offices, including a sustainability statement proving their company's commitment to supporting a green environment; a policy of using both sides of paper in copying internal documents; a policy of distributing documents electronically rather than printing them out; a policy of recycling toner cartridges; using recycled paper or managed growth forest paper; purchasing office supplies from local companies that are within 500 miles radius; purchasing office equipment and appliances with Energy Star marks or its equivalent; a recycling programs for paper, plastics, glass, cardboard and newspaper; designating a used goods area in office for reusable materials; and using washable or recyclable tableware. They should also have only compact fluorescent or long-burning light bulbs installed in their offices, and should be applying only non-toxic biodegradable cleaning practices. If these last two items are not possible, they should present documentation of their company request for such and the building owner's official denial of their request.

Commercial contractors and builders should also be able to fulfill certain education and training requirements, as well as comply with 12 out of 36 elective items set out by the association. Twenty-one of these items are for the companies' main offices and are additions to the aforementioned prerequisites. Some examples are having an energy audit by a utility company; acquiring proper third-party verification as having qualified as a carbon neutral company; and including green requirements for sustainable jobsite procedures in subcontracting.

The other elective items are for jobsite office complexes. These include, among others, posting rules on green initiatives with a corresponding green logo at all jobsite office locations; diverting half of each project's construction waste material away from a landfill; purchasing 10 percent of the cost of each project's construction materials from suppliers within 500 miles radius; purchasing 10 percent of the cost of each project's construction materials from recycled materials; reusing five percent of each project's building materials and products; and showing innovation and exemplary performance in green construction practices.

Upon complying with the company prerequisites, personnel education and training requirements, and elective items, commercial contractors and builders can submit their application to the national office of ABC. The association will send a third-party assessor to make an onsite assessment at the applicant's office. The assessor will either recommend certification or recommend the changes necessary for certification. Once an assessor's positive recommendation is attained, the ABC National Green Building Committee reviews the application and the assessment report and the process of certification is initiated.

Commercial contractors and builders who gain Green Contractor Certification will also gain numerous benefits, including operational cost savings and efficiency that translates into a distinct competitive edge in the construction market. These companies' commitment to the protection of their employees' health, safety and well-being will also increase their employees' morale and productivity. Commercial contractors and builders should, therefore, work toward achieving Green Contractor Certification.