Major U.S. Contractors Urge Building Material Manufacturers to Provide Environmental Product Declarations for a Sustainable Future

A coalition of leading U.S. construction contractors, through the contractorsCAN (Carbon Action Network) initiative, has issued an open letter to building material manufacturers, urging them to adopt greater transparency regarding the environmental impact of their products. The contractors are specifically calling for manufacturers to provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), a crucial tool for assessing the life-cycle environmental performance of materials.

Clayco, based in Missouri and a key member of contractorsCAN alongside companies such as Clark Construction, Skanska, Turner, and Yates Construction, shared the letter, emphasizing the growing demand for sustainability in construction. The letter highlights how EPDs empower consumers to make informed decisions that align with sustainability objectives, while also promoting environmentally responsible practices across the industry.

"EPDs are vital for understanding the environmental footprint of products," the letter states. "Providing this data not only meets the rising demand for transparency but also supports the overall sustainability of the construction industry."

While acknowledging that obtaining EPDs may require investment, the letter stresses that the long-term environmental and economic benefits outweigh the initial costs. It also points to resources, such as those provided by Building Transparency, to assist manufacturers in navigating this process.

The signatories of this letter, representing approximately $44 billion in annual construction revenue, are already experiencing increased demand for EPDs in both legislative and contractual requirements. Manufacturers that take the initiative now will be at the forefront of a more sustainable future for the construction sector.

Building Transparency, the non-profit coordinating the contractorsCAN effort, reiterated that collaboration and transparency are key to building a greener future for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry.

🔗 Learn more about how to obtain EPDs on Building Transparency's webpage: https://lnkd.in/g-5PB2uY