The Green Team, Inc. (tGT) will conduct Phase I research to determine characteristics of green product-service systems (GPSS) in the building products industry that effectively improve human health and the environment (e.g., improve sustainability). Knowledge of effective GPSS characteristics will be used to develop preliminary protocols for commercial GPSS authentication and the registry service. In Phase II, preliminary protocols, along with Web-based tools, will be developed into the GPSS authentication and registry service. tGT will sell the GPSS authentication and registry service. GPSS are business offers that combine product and service aspects of a building product. For example, a GPSS may sell the function of a roof (structure, drainage, weather protection, aesthetic functions) instead of the roof materials. The roof would be owned by the firm offering the GPSS, and the firm would retain product stewardship for sustainability, such as product return for recycling. GPSS are expected to significantly improve sustainability by closing the materials loop, and encouraging design for the environment and extended product responsibility.
