Physical Place:

Buildings & Grounds

START Metric #38:

Design & Construction

Guides & Resources

‘How To’ Guides

  • Green Schools Investment Guide

    From the US Center for Green Schools, a guide to assessing building improvement opportunities, and finance and implementation strategies.

Additional Resources

  • Zero-Energy Schools: The Cost-Barrier Illusion

    From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a report on the costs of renovations and energy efficiency upgrades versus long term savings.

  • Green Building Design Partners

    If your district is ready for a design partner to renovate or create towards zero-emissions, a list curated by UndauntedK12 of experienced green school design firms.

  • 10 Reasons to Choose Healthier, Sustainable Flooring

    From the Center for Environmental Health, a guide to help understanding the wide-ranging benefits of sustainable carpeting and flooring.

  • Technical Specs for Resilient Flooring

    From the Center for Environmental Health, technical specifications for resilient flooring, for use in invitations to bid and requests for proposals.

  • Technical Specs for Healthier Furniture

    From the Center for Environmental Health, technical specifications for chemically safer furniture and fabrics.

Videos & Webinars

  • Webinar: Selecting Healthier carpet, flooring & furniture

    From the Center for Environmental Health, a webinar discussing tips for purchasers aiming to select healthier carpet, flooring, and furniture.

  • Concrete vs Sustainable Design

    From ClimateScience, a short video — appropriate for adults and students — to understand the issue problems with concrete, and more sustainable alternatives.


 Contact us at guides@greenschoolsalliance.org if:

  • You have a free resource to contribute or recommend that can help schools take action around this specific sustainability metric.

  • You authored a guide included here and have information about the Cost, Difficulty or Impact rating.