Defining a product as “green” is not often straightforward since green building is a whole-systems approach to designing, constructing, operating and maintaining buildings. Often, a specific product is just one component of a larger system. To accurately assess the true greenness of a product, consideration must be given not only to particular environmental and health impacts of a product from its manufacturing, use, and disposal phases—but also to how the product is utilized within the larger system.

The following list of criteria used for defining green products was excerpted from "Building Materials: What Makes a Product Green?" as featured by Environmental Building News.

“This article examines products in isolation—not how to use a product to make a building green, rather what makes a certain product green. Green products, including virtually all of those found in GreenSpec, could be used in dumb ways that result in buildings that are far from environmentally responsible. In a well-thought-out building design, however, substituting green products for conventional products can make the difference between a good building and a great one.”

• Products Made with Salvaged, Recycled, or Agricultural Waste Content
• Products That Conserve Natural Resources
• Products That Avoid Toxic or Other Emissions
• Products That Save Energy or Water
• Products That Contribute to a Safe, Healthy Built Environment