New Product Verification Tool for Green Builders Launches in South Africa

Published April 29, 2009

More Stories On: Materials

Ecospecifier, an online product verification tool for green building materials, has launched in South Africa.

The database of product assessments and materials listings is part of a larger subscription-based system that seeks to be a one-stop resource for information about green building materials, best practices, education, training, professional development and networking.

The database segment in South Africa so far includes more than 1,000 products, materials, technologies and resources. Similar versions of the web-based service were already available in Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

The product made its debut in South Africa last week at a "Green City" seminar and eco exhibit hosted by the Cape Institute for Architecture.

At the event, Ecospecifier South Africa CEO Lizette Swanevelder described the new tool as "another spoke in South Africa's green-building wheel."

The launch of the resource, the first of its kind in South Africa, is the latest development in the country's building sector as it strives to make itself more environmentally responsible.

The Green Building Council of South Africa was accepted as the 13th full member of the World Green Building Council last fall.

In March, South Africa's first energy performance contract under the Clinton Climate Initiative was signed between Johnson Controls Inc. and FirstRand Bank Limited.

_{Image by thesaint.}

Design Roundup: CDs Wrapped in Chip Bags, Patagonia's New Footprints, Recycled Golf Bags This month saw the release of a CD packaged in compressed shredded chip bags, a deeper understanding of the paths Patagonia clothing takes and a new use for certified sustainable paper....	U.S. Wind Power Industry Installs More Than 2,800 MW in Q1 2009 The wind energy industry in the United States installed 2,836 megawatts of new generating capacity through the end of March, bringing total installed generating capacity in the country to 28,206 MW, the American Wind Energy Association announced....
By Losing the Cafeteria Tray, Schools Cut Waste -- and More Less food waste, less water used for cleaning, healthier and lighter students and staff: The benefits of "trayless dining" are apparent at a growing number of schools....	Building Sector, Governments Must Act Now to Curb Energy Use: Report The building sector and governments have made progress but are not doing enough to improve energy efficiency in the built environment -- and will not meet targets to address global climate change unless sweeping action is taken immediately to slash energy use, according to a new report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development....
Pizzamimicry Can Lead to Improved Micro-Motors Researchers in Australia studied professional pizza tossers to develop the optimal way to toss a pizza. They'll be able to use that information to make smaller, more effective motors for microrobotics applications, particularly for surgery....	Despite Health Risks, Packaged Food Industry Continues to Use BPA A new report from Green Century Capital Management and As You Sow rates CPG companies on their responses to replacing BPA: the highest grade was a C, and 13 out of 20 companies surveyed received failing grades.
IES to Roll Out Upgraded Toolkits for Eco-Friendly Design Analysis Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd., a building analysis software firm headquartered in Glasgow, is launching enhanced versions of its VE-Toolkits to support sustainable design analysis....	A New Answer to Controlling Energy Consumption and Costs The network infrastructure has long since been the backbone of IT and business operations, but it can also be used as a central tool for achieving a company's environmental goals....

Alternative content

New Product Verification Tool for Green Builders Launches in South Africa

Register for GreenBiz Events

Alternative content

News

New Product Verification Tool for Green Builders Launches in South Africa

Register for GreenBiz Events