Three Lenses of Health and Materials

THREE LENSES OF HEALTH & MATERIALS

What makes a product or material “healthy” or “sustainable?” This presentation offers a more holistic approach to material evaluation – the Three Lenses of Health & Materials. Each lens examines a key impact of building products on our health and the environment: embodied carbon, green chemistry, and circular economy. In addition to identifying these impacts, this course offers questions we can ask to move the market toward better products for ourselves, our clients, and the world.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will explore the public health impacts of the life cycle of building products, including the supply chain and at end of life.
• Participants will learn a holistic framework of Green Chemistry, Circular Economy, and Embodied Carbon (Climate) to evaluate building materials and its environment.
• Participants will compile questions and criteria that shift the marketplace toward materials that are healthier for everyone, including the building occupants.
• Participants will become proficient in balancing the pursuit of multiple sustainability criteria in product selection which rely on a cohesive Three Lenses framework.

Provided by: Interface Inc
Course Length: 1 hr

About the speaker

Laura Craig – Healthcare Director, Western United States

Laura Craig graduated with a BA from Arizona State University. She began her career in hazardous material abatement, spending a decade removing asbestos, lead, mold, and other hazardous substances from hospitals, government buildings, and schools. In 2001, she transitioned to selling commercial flooring, initially as a dealer and then as a representative for Nora Rubber Flooring. For over 5 years she explored the commercial furniture industry and in 2021, Laura joined Interface as the Key Account Director for the southwest, and currently serves as the healthcare director for the western region, covering 15 states and focusing on helping clients find the best flooring solutions for their spaces.

She is passionate about sustainability, and loves to cook for friends and family.  She is an avid hockey fan, and aims to try tacos in every country she visits. Laura is also studying for her WELL AP credentials.