Advocacy Through Action: How We Drive Sustainability in Material Selection
Every product we specify has a direct impact on human and environmental health. As architects and designers, we have the power—and responsibility—to shape a more sustainable built environment. At Spacesmith, we are committed to making informed, responsible material choices, which is why we have implemented a vetting process for manufacturers who wish to present their products to our team.
Rather than passively accepting product pitches, we require manufacturers to complete a Sustainability & Transparency Form before meeting with us. This form helps us assess their environmental impact, material health, and commitment to circular economy practices. It ensures that the products we specify align with our values and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future.
What We Ask & Why It Matters
We designed our form to gather meaningful data on key sustainability metrics. Manufacturers must answer questions in the following areas:
1. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
Do your products have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)?
EPDs provide a transparent, third-party-verified assessment of a product’s environmental impact over its lifecycle, including its Global Warming Potential (GWP). We prioritize materials with EPDs because they provide quantifiable data to help us make responsible choices.
2. Material Health Certifications
Do your products hold any third-party certifications for material health? (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, Declare Label, Health Product Declarations (HPDs), or Red List-Free Certifications).
Material health matters for both human well-being and long-term sustainability. Products free from harmful chemicals improve indoor air quality and contribute to healthier spaces for occupants.
3. Take-Back Programs
Do you offer a take-back program for your product(s)?
We strongly advocate for circular economy models where materials are reused rather than discarded. A take-back program ensures that products can be returned, refurbished, repurposed, or recycled at the end of their lifecycle, reducing landfill waste and encouraging responsible manufacturing.
4. Renewable Energy Use
Does your company operate on renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power?
Energy-intensive manufacturing contributes significantly to carbon emissions. We seek out manufacturers that actively reduce their carbon footprint by integrating renewable energy into their operations.
5. Recycled Content
Are your products made with recycled content? If so, to what extent?
Recycled content reduces the demand for virgin materials and helps close the loop on material waste. We assess the percentage and type of recycled content in products to ensure meaningful sustainability contributions.
6. Waste Diversion Strategies
How does your company handle waste at your manufacturing facilities?
Sustainable companies implement strategies like zero waste initiatives, closed-loop manufacturing, or material repurposing to reduce their environmental impact. We look for manufacturers that are actively working to divert waste from landfills.
7. Areas for Growth & Transparency
Are there sustainability topics from this form that you would like to learn more about? Are there areas where your company is working toward improvement?
We recognize that sustainability is a journey. This question provides manufacturers with an opportunity to share their progress and areas they are working to improve.
Why This Matters
This process isn’t just about filtering products - it’s about advocacy, accountability, and industry-wide change. By requiring manufacturers to provide real, measurable data, we:
Promote Transparency – Encouraging brands to disclose their environmental impact.
Reward Leaders – Prioritizing manufacturers that are actively making a difference.
Incentivize Change – Encouraging manufacturers to improve their sustainability efforts to stay competitive.
By setting clear expectations, we not only help our firm make responsible material choices but also push the industry forward. If manufacturers see that sustainability is a requirement, not a bonus, they will have a financial reason to prioritize it.
A Collaborative Effort: Open-Source Advocacy
We also recognize that sustainability is a shared responsibility. Our form is an evolving tool, and we encourage manufacturers to revisit it as they improve their processes and develop higher sustainability standards.
To maximize impact, we are making this form available as a resource. If you are an architect, designer, or industry professional who would like to adopt or adapt it for your own vetting process, we’re happy to share it. The more firms that align on sustainability expectations, the stronger the push for real change.
Join Us in Driving Change
If you are a manufacturer and would like to present to our team or send us product samples, we invite you to fill out our Sustainability & Transparency Form.
Together, we can set a new standard—one where sustainable, healthy, and ethical materials are not the exception but the norm. Let’s build a future that values people and the planet.
Are you interested in using this form for your design practice? Reach out to us—we’re happy to share it!