FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Nona Raybern, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067
m 425.208.6308
20 Years and 20,000 Certifications for Built Green
Western Washington green building program hits major milestone in achievement
Built Green, a green building certification program, has reached its 20,000th certification in just 20 years of operation. Founded in 1999 by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, King County, and Snohomish County, the program set out to transform the building market to reduce the environmental impact of construction.
The Built Green® program has far exceeded the original expectations. As of June 2020, Built Green has certified over 20,000 single-family and multifamily projects, creating 36,000+ green households in the Puget Sound region. In 2019, 73% of all new single-family homes built in Seattle were Built Green certified.
This important work has culminated in massive environmental gains for the area. Based on models developed by the City of Seattle, impact calculations reveal that Built Green homes are significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions, water use, runoff, and construction waste.
- The total portfolio of Built Green projects conserve nearly 221 million gallons of potable water each year and prevent 185 million gallons of polluted stormwater runoff from harming vulnerable salmon runs.
- The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from Built Green certified projects is equivalent to 2,244 cars removed from the road each year, with over 21 million pounds of CO2 annually not emitted.
- Certified homes result in saving 68,549 MWh per year.
- Nearly 100,000 tons of construction waste has been diverted from landfills to recycling facilities since Built Green’s inception.
The 20,000th building certification was awarded to a home, built by TC Legend Homes, located in Everson, WA. This single-family home is a 5-Star and Net Zero Energy certified home. It exemplifies how the Built Green program’s influence has grown and incentivized sustainable building across Western Washington. Some of its qualifications include:
- Net-positive home that produces more energy than it uses with a with a 12.43 kW roof PV array
- Indoor airPLUS certified
- 100% stormwater infiltrated on site
- 20% water-use reduction using all WaterSense-certified fixtures
- 21% of the lot was granted in perpetuity to Whatcom County as conservation easement
Set on 4.93 acres among Washington’s coastal wetland plains, this 2,538 square foot home in Everson, WA recognizes the importance of conserving wetland habitats and the wildlife it supports.
More information on the 20,000th certification project
About Built Green
Built Green is a holistic green home certification program of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, established in partnership with King and Snohomish counties in 1999. In addition to certifying green homes, remodels, multifamily buildings, and communities, Built Green hosts a membership network of companies and individuals involved in the green building industry, conducts research, and markets the social and environmental benefits of green building. The program’s mission is to serve as the driving force for environmentally sound design, construction, and development practices in the state of Washington’s cities and communities. Since its inception, Built Green has certified more than 36,000 housing units and 20,000 buildings. The program has partnered with local governments and utilities to create green building incentive programs, which have helped spur uptake in the region.