Manufacturing, transporting and disposing of building materials impacts the environment by releasing harmful pollutants into the surrounding air, land and water. Even after installation, many products continue to release harmful chemicals that contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Sustainable design uses a broad set of criteria for choosing building materials other than the traditional factors such as cost, aesthetics, and short-term needs. Issues such as life cycle assessment, recyclability, resource efficiency, future salvage and reuse potential and durability are examined over a building's life cycle.