skill / Sustainability

EPD Research

A Claude Code skill that searches EC3, UL, Environdec, IBU, and manufacturer sites for EPDs by material type, CSI division, or product category. Returns candidates sorted by GWP with LEED eligibility flags.

specifications research
Install ↓ View on GitHub →
New to skills? Read the cheat sheet for architects and designers →

What it does

Type /epd-research with a material or product category. Claude searches public EPD registries and manufacturer sustainability pages, extracts key metrics from each EPD listing, and returns a shortlist sorted by GWP (lowest first) with LEED eligibility flags.

Works for any building material — concrete, steel, CLT, insulation, carpet tile, gypsum, glazing.

Install

Claude Desktop:

  1. Open Customize → Browse plugins
  2. Click + → Add marketplace from GitHub
  3. Enter AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects
  4. Install the Sustainability plugin

Claude Code (terminal):

claude install github:AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects/045-sustainability

Usage

/epd-research CLT

With more detail:

/epd-research ready-mix concrete, 4000 PSI, plants within 500 miles of NYC, GWP under 350

Claude runs 3-5 searches across registries, fetches EPD listings, and returns 6-12 candidates.

What it searches

SourceCoverage
Building Transparency / EC3Largest open EPD database
UL EnvironmentMajor US program operator
NSF InternationalStrong in concrete, masonry
EnvirondecLargest international registry
IBUEuropean products
ASTM InternationalUS program operator
Manufacturer sitesDirect sustainability pages

Sample: Cross-Laminated Timber

Generated from: “CLT”

#ProductManufacturerLocationGWP-fossil (A1-A3)StandardValid ToLEED
1CLTStora EnsoAustria/Sweden/Czech Republic52.6 kg CO2e/m3EN 15804+A22028-10Yes
2CLTArborealUruguay111 kg CO2e/m3EN 15804+A22029-06Yes
3CLTKalesnikoffBC, Canada124.5 kg CO2e/m3ISO 219302027-03Yes

Note on CLT GWP reporting: GWP-total includes biogenic carbon storage (~-800 kg CO2e/m3), making it deeply negative. GWP-fossil is the right metric for comparing manufacturing efficiency across CLT producers.

Each candidate includes manufacturer, plant location, GWP per declared unit, program operator, registration number, validity dates, and a “Why” note explaining relevance.

Pairs with