The questions and sample score sheet shown below are good standard of care approaches to determining which sustainable product is suitable for the application.

1. How durable is the material?  When can I expect to replace it?
   
2. When will the product begin to see wear and tear?  6 months, 1 year, 3 years, etc?  Does the company provide a warranty?
3. How is the product cleaned? Are specific types of cleaning products are recommended? Products that have low (VOC’s?)
4. If the product needs to be repaired what type of product and process is required to achieve a “match” to the original?
5. Is the material installed as a finished product on the site?  What are the size limitations before a seam is required? Is there any field trimming or cutting, etc.?  If there are any seams, what adhesive is recommended?  Will there be any VOC’s emitted in the installation process?
6. How is the product disposed of at the end of its effective service life? This also applies to any construction debris; is there a recycling use for the product remnants?  Downstream Environmental Impact?
7. How is the product manufactured?  Upstream Environmental Impact?
8. What is the percentage of recycled material in the product?
9. Where is the product made, specifically how far from the construction site/home/building?
10. What is the recycle content of the product?  What are the sources, post consumer and post industrial?
11. What type of energy sources are used in the production process? Ie. Coal, oil, renewable energy?