Policy Brief + RecommendationsBuildings’ Hidden Plastic Problem
ABOUT
Celebrating 25 years of impact.
At Habitable, we believe all people and the planet thrive when the materials economy is in balance with nature.
Our mission is to improve human and environmental health, by creating bold, science-based solutions that inspire materials innovations to eliminate pollution, mitigate climate change, and create a more equitable future.
The faces behind Habitable.
Our team embodies a shared commitment to driving positive change and redesigning our relationship with the planet. Through diverse backgrounds, they bring to life our mission to create a healthier, more habitable world.
Lindsy “LB” Bissonnette
Development Manager
Gina Ciganik
Chief Executive Officer
Cassidy Clarity
Materials Researcher
Sarah Gilberg
Lead Developer
Bruce Green
Chief Operating Officer
Ryan Johnson
Senior Researcher
Wei-Yung Liu
Data Systems Analyst
Teresa McGrath
Chief Research Officer
Sarah Pickell
Business Operations Manager
Priya Premchandran
Vice President of Market Transformation—Products
Rebecca Stamm
Principal Researcher
Nicolette Stosur-Bassett
Chief Brand and Communications Officer
Roberto Valle Kinloch
Project Delivery & PMO Lead
Guiding forces that steer us.
Habitable’s board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our mission. Their collective vision, rooted in environmental stewardship and social responsibility, provides invaluable guidance and strategic direction.
Nsedu Obot Witherspoon | Chair
Executive Director
Children’s Environmental Health Network
Joiana Hooks | Secretary
Designer II
Cooper Carry
Monica Nakielski | Treasurer
ESG and Sustainability Leader
Harmeda
Sara Cederberg | Vice Chair
Infrastructure Sustainability Global Lead
Amazon
Gina Ciganik
Chief Executive Officer
Habitable
Brophy Christensen
Partner
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Carolyn Fine Friedman
Chair of The Fine Fund
Bradford C. Grant
Professor of Architecture
Howard University
Rachel Hodgdon
President and CEO
International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
David Johnson
VP of Projects
AGI Avant Group
Dr. Felix Kabo
R&D Director
CannonDesign
Beth Rattner
Sustainability Leader, Circularity Strategist, Writer
Morpho Collective
2003
Arsenic in Treated Lumber
Campaign Success
HBN-led campaign leads EPA to order arsenic phase out, resulting in dramatic decrease across US.
Partner
Environmental Working Group
Win!
Reduced the amount of imported arsenic used in the US from over twenty metric tons annually to ~six, reducing hazards to our drinking water, to children and workers in the US, and arsenic smelters in China.
2004
PVC-free
Carpet Challenge
We supported industry leaders’ phaseout of PVC in carpet, leading to development of PVC-free alternatives.
Partner
Kaiser Permanente
2009
Pharos
Launched
First-of-its-kind chemical hazard database revealing health and environmental impacts. In 2009, Pharos was honored with a US EPA Environmental Award.
Win!
Since its founding, Pharos has grown to incorporate over 200,000 chemicals.
2012
HPD Open Standard Launched
HBN launched the Health Product Declaration (HPD) Working Group in 2011. In 2012, the Health Product Declaration Collaborative was founded and v1.0 of the HPD Open Standard officially released.
Partner
Building Green
Win!
First standardized format for disclosing product content and health hazards.
2015
Formaldehyde in Insulation Campaign Success
As of 2015, all light density residential fiberglass insulation made in the U.S. and Canada eliminated the use of formaldehyde-based binders.
Partner
Global Health and Safety Initiative, Kaiser Permanente, Health Care Without Harm, and others
Win!
The phase out resulted in a 90% drop in formaldehyde releases from these factories between 2005 and 2014.
2015
Phase-Out of Phthalates at Leading Retailers
Leading building products retailers commit to eliminating phthalates from vinyl floors sold across their stores.
Partner
Mind the Store campaign—a coalition of environmental groups including Ecology Center, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, and Environmental Health Strategy Center
Win!
Four years after this commitment, testing found that retailers including Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Lumber Liquidators remained committed to this goal, resulting in the avoidance of tens of millions of pounds of phthalates annually.
2016
Affordable Housing Cohort Launched
Cohort branded “HomeFree” launched to organize the affordable housing sector in leading safer materials policy and co-creating solutions.
Win!
Engaged in demonstration projects covering 450 units in six regions on healthier material selection.
2017
12 Chemicals of Concern Eliminated
Home Depot acknowledged our research influenced removal of 12 chemicals of concern from products sold throughout global supply chain.
