Identifying Greener Landscaping

Introduction

Our exterior spaces provide opportunities to connect with nature, exercise, and play while also serving important roles in mitigating air, water, and resource impacts from the human-built environment. There are many environmentally preferable approaches to landscaping products and services and this webpage provides some resources to help you choose safer and greener options.

Sustainability Considerations

• Integrated pest management
• Salvaged and recycled-content materials
• Low embodied energy materials
• Permeable surfaces for storm water management
• Use of native, climate-appropriate plants
• Energy-efficient and solar-powered lighting
• Low- or zero-emission landscaping equipment

Additional Resources

• GSA’s Green Procurement Compilation (GPC)
  • Landscape Products page, which identifies federal requirements for various landscape products.
  • Landscape Services page, which provides further guidance on greening landscape service contracts.
• EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) for landscaping products (federal purchasing requirements for recycled content).
• EPA Guide, Soak Up the Rain to help prevent water pollution, reduce flooding, protect water resources, beautify our landscapes, and bring many benefits to our communities.
• EPA’s Introduction to Integrated Pest Management
• USGBC's LEED Site and Grounds Management Policy Template