Useful calculators and guidelines to help you identify and quantify environmental benefits.
BEES measures the environmental performance of building products by using the environmental life-cycle assessment approach specified in ISO 14040 standards. All stages in the life of a product are analyzed: raw material acquisition, manufacture, transportation, installation, use, and recycling and waste management. Economic performance is measured using the ASTM standard life-cycle cost method, which covers the costs of initial investment, replacement, operation, maintenance and repair, and disposal.
Energy Star CalculatorsThe Energy Star website contains a number of calculators created to estimate the potential savings and payback period for purchases of energy efficient products.
Environmental Benefits Calculator
NERC's Environmental Benefits Calculator is a comprehensive tool usable by any state, region, county, town, institution, school, or business in the United States. Among the Calculator’s unique features are the environmental benefits of computer recycling and reuse calculator, an energy savings comparison chart, and an emissions savings comparison chart.
Electronics Environmental Benefit Calc (1.66 MB)
Assists in quantifying the benefits of environmentally sound management of electronic equipment. The Calculator estimates the environmental and economic benefits of purchasing EPEAT-registered products, in addition to improvements in equipment operation and end-of-life management practices. To learn more about its use and development, visit here.
EPA Procurement Guidelines
A key component of the CPG program is EPA's list of designated products and the accompanying recycled-content recommendations. EPA has already designated or is proposing to designate the products listed below. They are grouped into eight categories:
Green Cleaning Pollution Prevention Calculator
The Green Cleaning Pollution Prevention Calculator quantifies the projected environmental benefits of purchasing and using "green" janitorial services and products. It is designed to forecast the environmental benefits of reducing chemical use by doing some or all pollution prevention measures typically involved in the routine interior cleaning of an office building. This tool also enables users to identify which green cleaning measures will have the greatest impact in reducing their use of hazardous chemicals and in preventing pollution.
The Calculator's output applies only to standard office cleaning products and practices. It does not apply to other building maintenance issues, such as equipment maintenance, pest control, or landscaping activities.
This tool, from the Environmental Defense Fund, will help you quantify the benefits of better paper choices. The Paper Calculator shows the environmental impacts of different papers across their full lifecycle.
Total Cost of Ownership (33.5 KB)
Sustainable products are often more durable and efficient, which could mean a higher purchase price, but significant cost savings to the County over the life of the product. Total Cost of Ownership data can be used to compare a traditional product and a more sustainable alternative.
WaterSense
Use this simple calculator, created by the EPA to estimate how much water you can save by installing WaterSense labeled products in your home or apartment building.