Green Resources

How Green is Measured: LEED®

Nearly everyone agrees that building green is a great idea, but how do you measure and substantiate the level of "greenness" achieved by a building? That's what LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was designed to do. Developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED® is a rating system that awards points to buildings if they meet specific green criteria in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor air quality.

What does it mean to be GREENGUARD™ Certified?

"GREENGUARD" is the designation given to products that meet rigorous standards for low-emitting materials. The GREENGUARD Certification Program^(SM) is an industry-independent, third-party testing program administered by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), an ANSI-authorized standards developer. GEI establishes acceptable air standards for indoor products, environments and buildings; its mission is to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air. The first GREENGUARD Certification was awarded in 2002. In 2005, GEI announced the GREENGUARD Children & Schools^(SM) standard, which created the most rigorous product emissions criteria available today.

For more information on building green, go to:

• www.usgbc.org
• www.greenguard.org

For more information about 3M's commitment to the green movement, go to:

• www.3M.com/sustainability
• GREENGUARD™ Certified Adhesives

3M is a trademark of 3M. The GREENGUARD INDOOR AIR QUALITY CERTIFIED Mark is a registered certification mark used under license through the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. LEED® is a registered trademark of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).