HEALTHY & CIRCULAR MATERIALS
Building a Better Future: Healthy and Circular Materials
We’re leading Europe towards a redefinition of how we design, build, and operate our spaces, emphasizing regenerative buildings that restore ecological balance, foster community connections, and create positive human and environmental impacts.
The Principles of Healthy and Circular Materials
- Non-Toxicity: Materials are free from harmful chemicals, protecting human health and the environment.
- Resource Efficiency: Maximizing the use of renewable resources and reducing dependency on finite raw materials.
- Circularity: Enabling materials to be reused, recycled, or composted at the end of their lifecycle, preventing waste.
- Transparency: Providing clear information on material composition and sourcing, empowering informed choices.
Tools and Certifications for Circularity
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) offers several programs to support the transition to healthy and circular materials:
Declare Label
A “nutrition label” for building products that reveals ingredients, sourcing, and end-of-life options, ensuring transparency and enabling informed material selection.
Living Product Challenge
A framework that encourages manufacturers to create products that are regenerative and contribute positively to their ecosystems.
The Red List
A compilation of harmful chemicals commonly found in building materials, encouraging the design of safer, healthier products.
Benefits of Adopting Circular Materials
- Improved Health: Reduced exposure to toxic substances for building occupants and workers.
- Environmental Stewardship: Minimized ecological impact through resource conservation and waste reduction.
- Cost Savings: Long-term economic benefits from efficient material use and recycling.
- Regulatory Compliance: Staying ahead of global regulations that increasingly demand safer and more sustainable materials.
Join the Movement for Material Health
Whether you’re a manufacturer, designer, or building owner, adopting healthy and circular materials is essential for creating regenerative spaces. Explore ILFI’s resources and certification programs to identify and implement solutions that benefit people, the planet, and your organization.
Get In Touch
- +39 338 4490565
- info@living-future.eu
- NOI Techpark, Voltastraße / Via Volta 13A
- 39100 Bolzano, Italy