Posts Tagged ‘environment’

When you first think of “eco-friendly building,” you think of recycled / recyclable building materials: recycled plastic pallets; recycled stageboard; recycled skate ramp materials etc. etc. etc. — everything you’d want to build a sustainable city infrastructure with, right?

But, beyond the eco-friendly building methodologies and sustainable design blueprints are the companies who pay to use these “Green buildings.”

Most likely, these eco-friendly buildings turn into offices; housing computers; thus, foreshadowing the rise of a future tech junk problem.

Tech junk. Where does it go? How much energy does it waste? How much energy could we save if we all shut down our computers rather than conveniently choosing, “sleep mode”?

According to iamgreen, today 1-billion computers are active. The accumulative energy wasted by these computers, which on average are left on between 9:00am – 5pm is equivalent to the amount of power it takes to light the entire New York Yankee stadium for every home game from today to the 2596-2597 season.

But, don’t get too excited. There’s more info below!

Scroll down, dive into the rest of the amazing Computing Vs. Environment infographic head first, and let us know what you think in the comments box or on our Facebook fan page.

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Source: iamgreen

Tags: design blueprints, green energy, city infrastructure, IAMGREEN <BR/>

Eco-friendly Stageboard…Coming to a theatre Near You!

Mainstream pop music, movies, television, theatre; all of it can easily be judged from an armchair.

The entertainment industry — in the eyes of the environmentalist — exists for two reasons: 1) to entertain us while wasting materials 2) to try to “entertain” us even more by wasting even more materials. But, that’s just an opinion from an armchair.

Nonetheless, recent innovations in eco-friendly building have helped ease this age-old problem. More engineeers, tradesmen, artchitects and hobbyists are choosing to use “recycled materials” over natural wood.

Renew Resources has listed the top three reasons why businesses — including the entertainment industry — are investing in eco-friendly stageboard.

GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED

Eco-friendly stageboard is certified by the Canadian Government and U.S. Pentagon. Stageboard has also received the most-coveted “Eco-Mark” in the world by the Japanese Government EPA.

When businesses use government certified eco-friendly stageboard, businesses benefit from a new unique sales point (USP); carrying more market water and marketing themselves as an organization who uses the highest grade of eco-friendly material in the market today.

MAXIMIZED INCOME

Unlike real wood, eco-friendly stageboard doesn’t crack, splinter or break. It doesn’t require high-maintenance chemicals that damage the environment; renowned for lasting longer than regular wood. Ultimately, the more durable your building materials are the less materials you use.

BETTER THAN WOOD

Unlike real wood, stageboard is immune to weather damage. It doesn’t decay or warp or splinter. Stageboard is built from recycled materials as well; preventing abrasion while also serving you excellent acoustics and sound deadening. Builders have also found stageboard takes nails or screws equivalent to or better than real wood with zero pre-drilling required.

SUMMARY

With the green movement seeping more and more into the mainstream year after year, businesses are becoming more inclined to use eco-friendly building materials for its market appeal, sustainability and eco-mark.

In stageboard, users receive a government certified eco-mark and offer a unique sales point; staying above the competition while maximizing material minimization.

Companies like Renew Resources offer eco-friendly building materials all year around to help you save as many trees and money as possible.

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Tags: Japanese Government EPA, japanese government, mainstream pop music, eco-friendly building, eco mark <BR/>

There’s no doubt wooden pallets have played an important role in shaping the world’s infrastructure: real estate; bridges; skyscrapers; transportation, to just name a few — all have used wooden pallets.

However in the recent rise of the green market, wooden pallets are becoming less favourable: they’re unsanitary; they’re high-maintenance; they have a short life span.

Many engineers, architects and tradesmen today are beginning to use more reliable and long-lasting alternatives such as, eco-friendly plastic pallets.

According to the Pallet & Container Research Lab, the plastic pallet market has doubled in the last ten years.

Eco-friendly plastic pallets are here to stay and Renew Resources has quickly highlighted its three major benefits.

Enjoy!

Environment Friendly

Renowned for its longevity and re-usability, eco-friendly plastic pallets simply last longer than wooden pallets, which reduces your wood consumption. When you choose wood; you choose a shorter-life span. Eco-friendly plastic pallets are also made from 100% recyclable materials and are 100% recyclable. When your eco-friendly plastic pallet break through wear-and-tear, it’s convenient to toss in your recycling pile; saving landfill space.

Long-lasting

Plastic Pallets are weather-resistant and save you from the high-maintenance troubles wooden pallets bring you. Plastic pallets won’t absorb moisture, won’t split, rot, mildew or become infested with insects. The longer your pallets last the more money you save.

Sanitary

Plastic pallets were first introduced to the market in the 1960s and were used in sanitary applications for raw foods. When you use plastic pallets you’ll free yourself from all the unsanitary qualities wood bring you; giving you a more versatile functionality: the cleaner; the better.

Summary

Three billion to six billion trees are cut down every year. When you move from wooden pallets to eco-friendly plastic pallets you’ll save trees, reduce resource consumption and own a longer-lasting product. Getting started is simple. All you have to do is research in your local area for companies like Renew Resources and look for affordable rates and experts who can advise you on how to get started.

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Tags: renewable resources, sanitary applications, environment <BR/>

It’s time to get self-sufficient…

With food prices at an all-time high taking the time to learn how to serve you and your family with food grown from your own backyard may be more beneficial to you than learning the specials and deals at the local grocery mart down the street.

Starting your own garden and growing your own food in your backyard is risk-free, inexpensive, and most importantly empowering; saving you extra money, while providing you and your family with a safety net just in case something unpredictable should happen.

But how much acreage do you need to feed you and your family for an entire year? Does your property have enough room?

The good fellows at One Block Off the Grid answer those questions and more, showing you exactly how much land you need to sufficiently feed a family of four in the infographic below.

Enjoy!

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Source: 1BOG

Tags: grocery mart, Gardening, food supply, all time high, environment <BR/>

Eco-Friendly Floating Villages

Called The Pearl of West Indies, Haiti was during a long time the most visited country of the Greater Antilles representing the occidental third of Hispaniola Island. Devastated in 2010 by an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale, the country has now to be rebuilt from new innovative architectural and town-planning concepts.

The Coral Reef project plans a matrix to build a three dimensional and energy self-sufficient village from one and only standardised and prefabricated module in order to rehouse the refugees from such humanitarian catastrophes. This basic module is simply made of two passive houses (with metallic structure and tropical wood facades) interlocked in duplex around a transversal horizontal circulation linking every unit.

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Originally posted on Vincent Callebaut

Sustainable ‘Farm Tower’ in London Offers a Solution to Food Crisis

The “London Farm Tower” is an amazing concept by Brandon Martella and is situated on the southern bank of the river Thames, facing Potter’s Field. This sustainable building is a solution to the present day crisis where population is growing by millions, urbanization is eating up all the agricultural land and therefore the increasing demand for food cannot be met.

The Farm Tower is a compact skyscraper that contains all the main ingredients for a self-sufficient city, including agricultural space, albeit in a vertical format. This sustainable building is actually developed much like a tree that depends upon the sun and water for growth and survival.

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Originally posted on Design Buzz

Canadian Government Fires Environment Ministry Scientists and Meteorologists, Hires Oil Lobbyists

I just love the juxtaposition of these two stories in today’s newspapers; in The Star, we learn that the Environment Ministry is cutting 700 Meteorologists, scientists, chemists and engineers, or about 11% of the workforce. “I think it speaks volumes about this government’s priority as it relates to the environment,” says Bill Pynn of the Union of Environment Workers. According to the Star:

The job losses will badly hurt the ability of the science-based department to do its job on issues such as climate change, monitoring water and air quality and wildlife species. “. [says another union leader:] I just don’t think the department can continue to do its science with that magnitude of cuts.”

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Originally posted on Treehugger

Solar Powered Tour Buses With Bikes

This should be a green solution for promoting places and guiding people towards a more eco-friendly way of appreciating places they may end up visiting. Buses are the best way to aid tourists and travellers and since we are all lined up for a greener tomorrow, this Solar Powered Bus concept should be interesting.

That is not all. The bus also comes with bikes inside so that in case it makes a stop, tourists can use them to get go around the tour spot rather than walk. And after the bike ride is over, the bikes are simply returned and hooked up until a next stop (if any) for tours is reached.

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Originally posted on Keetsa

Global Warming Or Global Population Control

While its commendable and, I believe, the job of every person living on planet earth to take care of the common ground we all share; sadly, it appears that environmental conservation has become more of a radical religion than anything else. In reading posts on blogs and news organization sites, its obvious that folks are worried about literally every last ounce of carbon emissions that enter into the atmosphere.

But here is something most of you probably didn’t know: GASP! CO2 is actually GOOD for our environment. According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, “carbon dioxide is essential to photosynthesis in plants and other photoautotrophs, and is also a prominent greenhouse gas.

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Originally posted on Renewable-Energy News

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Tags: greater antilles, Sustainable building, reuse, bank of the river thames <BR/>

Deforestation is climbing at an alarming rate.

Here’s a reminder: By the year 2030, only 10 per cent of what the Amazon Rain Forest is today will remain in tact.

Shocked? Yet, within this frightening forecast shines glimmers of hope. The “Green Movement” stands tall with forward-thinking tradesmen, architects, engineers, politicians and new green entrepreneurs, all playing a vital role in the green movement; trailblazing a healthier and sustainable lifestyle for a dying “blue society,” so to speak.

The once kooky green building ideology now has a mass production business model.

The growing popularity and production of recycled plastic lumber has already and will continue to play an important role in the future of sustainable building.

Recycled plastic lumber is equivalent to; or, better than real lumber; serving planet earth with many environmental benefits:

Recycled Plastic Lumber is…

Made From 100% Recycled Plastic and 100% Recyclable: With the world losing 7.3 million hectares of forest per year; adopting recycled plastic lumber instantly reduces the amount waste exhausted in any given construction site. Made from 100% industrial plastic waste and 100% recyclable, all breaks or mis-cuts can be recycled and used again; lasting a lifetime.

Aesthetically Pleasing and Heat Resistant: Equally pleasant to the human eye and just as sensual as real wood, recycled plastic lumber is heat-resistant; preventing dry wood and unattractive shrinkage. Its strong planks serve a cool surface allowing you to freely roam your deck on any given hot day. Your soles of your feet and exposed skin are safe when you lay there and soak in the warm sun.

Versatile: Infestation, warp, and splinter free recycled plastic lumber has proven to be applicable in many different building projects. Hailed in the green building community as the essential alternative to wood; its versatile properties can be used to build exterior moldings, window frames, door frames, decking to fences, vertical gardens and more.

Health Risk Free: Away and beyond the hazardous lather real wood needs to fight off insects and weather, recycled plastic lumber is chemical free: no additives or preservatives. It serves high performance without being high maintenance.

Summary: With the climbing rates of deforestation and illegal loggers continuing to pillage planet earth, recycled plastic lumber attempts to even the score.

Recycled plastic lumber is..

 

• Made From 100% Recycled Plastic and Recyclable
• Aesthetically Pleasing and Heat Resistant
• Versatile and equivalent if not better than real lumber
• Promotes a healthy and green environment

 

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Tags: human eye, eco-friendly building, vertical gardens, Green Movement, soles of your feet, alarming rate, high maintenance <BR/>

I don’t know if you’ve noticed before.

But there has a been a trend that has always existed in the minds of Man where new ideas first seem impossible; then probable; then inevitable.

This trend rings true in what we’ve come to witness in the passed decade with the phenomena known as: Green / Sustainable Home Building.

And to pay homage to green living, Renew Resources  has posted a new infographic below highlighting the top Green Home Improvement trends of 2011 for you to adopt and discover.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source: Infographic Showcase

Tags: Recycled Building Materials, reuse, environment, Waste management, Green Home-building, renew resources <BR/>

On average, every new construction project produces 3.9 pounds of waste per square foot of building area.  With mainstream media focusing on lowering CO2 levels for the passed 5 years, it’s easy to get caught up in the mass media hype; forgetting about the other alternative ways to reach a healthly environment; such as, alternative construction-waste management solutions.

This is not to say that everyone who builds a new office or new home plays a “dirty role” in deforestation, or our drinking water crisis, or our “dangerously high CO2 levels.”

Don’t get me wrong,  there are trendsetting companies, cultural influencers, and individuals out there who have discovered innovative ways to help both  the environment  while reducing living expenses.

How?

Easy.

1. Minimise Your Materials.  Go Standard Size:  Make sure your architect and construction manager commit to your Green building agenda from day one. Let them know exactly which materials you want to minimise and discuss how both parties can prevent wasteful building habits.  In other words, you don’t want to build a mansion when all you need is the average-sized Canadian home of 1,800 square feet.

A good idea is to suggest dimensional planning and design rooms based  on 4-foot multiples that conform to standard-sized wallboard and plywood sheets.  You also want to recycle demolition materials so you can use to build a base for your driveway or sidewalk.

2.  Use Recycled Materials to Build Your Home:   It takes 400-board-feet of lumber to build a three-bedroom home of 1,500 square feet.   A great way to save trees is to simply implement recycled building materials to maximize your Green agenda.  So when pieces around your home eventually fall a part or break, you’ll be able to recycle them. Baleboard, Polyboard and  Eco-friendly lumber are excellent examples of Green building materials that do an equal–if not  better–job than  regular wood/lumber.

3.  Water Conservation: The drinking water crisis is a story many people simply ignore, and water conservation is bigger of a deal than “high CO2” levels.

Preserve water by installing 3-G or more water pressure limiting devices. I’m sure you’ve heard of  9-year old Mason Perez, who saved his community thousands of gallons of water and money through his science project by simply reducing water pressure.  If a nine-year-old can do it, so you.

4.  Passive Solar design: Build high windows and invest time and research on passive solar design. Passive solar design helps your home customize to your local climate and naturally heats your home in  the winter and cools it during the summer. You’ll also want to position your home where it maximizes natural breezes, shading, and you can even build skylights on your roof to help you reduce  heating and air conditioning bills.

5.  Safe Floors:  Try to limit the amount of stairs in your home. Many houses build stairs for aesthetics alone.  By eliminating unnecessary stairs, you’ll invest in safe floors where you can  minimise the amount of materials you use.  Also, it helps you plan for your future; making it easier for you to get from point A to point B in your home as you age.

Summary

It’s a fact. Construction waste makes up for approximately 40 percent of our landfill. Luckily enough building environmentally conscious abodes isn’t as inconvenient as it was a few decades ago.

With basic online research you and your architect can find Green companies that provide eco-friendly building materials/services.  Ultimately, you’ll improve your overall energy efficiency, save  a ton of money, and a lot trees.

• -Minimize materials Go Standard or lower than standard size.
• -Use Recycled Materials to Build Your Home
• -Conserve Water
• -Passive Solar design
• -Safe Floors
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Tags: green building, reduce, ways to help the environment, reuse, Building material <BR/>

Uninhabited Island Bought on Craigslist to Become a Haven for Artists

One of the greatest places to be inspired for art is smack in the middle of nature, with no other evidence of human habitation. Rob Gorski found a listing for the 91-acre island on Craigslist last year and bought the untamed island (not something you get to do every day!).

Read more here

Originally posted on Treehugger

Self-Sufficient Underwater Sky Scraper Havests Renewable Energy

With rising sea levels due to changes in climate threatening the coastal cities worldwide, the need for floating or underwater cities and architectures has been felt more than ever before. Conceived by Malaysian designer Sarly Adre Bin Sarkum, the “Water-Scraper” is a self-sufficient underwater architecture that employs a variety of sustainable technologies to produce renewable energy and grow its own food.

Read more here

Originally posted on Design Buzz

Energy Generating Portable Green Classrooms

A California-based company, Green Apple Classrooms, has come up with an innovative model of classrooms which are energy neutral and portable. These classrooms are able to generate electricity for themselves and hence are self sufficient. In fact, on an average, the classroom will be able to produce more electricity than required for self consumption. The classrooms are relocatable hence the same classroom can be used for various purposes at different points of time. This will also bring down infrastructure related costs of school.

Read more here

Originally posted on Eco Friend

UN  Is Aiding a Corporate Takeover of Drinking Water

Early last month, pharmaceutical titan Merck became the latest multinational to pledge allegiance to the CEO Water Mandate, the United Nations’ public-private initiative “designed to assist companies in the development, implementation and disclosure of water sustainability policies and practices.”

But there’s darker data beneath that sunny marketing: The CEO Water Mandate has been heavily hammered by the Sierra Club, the Polaris Institute and more for exerting undemocratic corporate control over water resources under the banner of the United Nations.

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Originally posted on Alternet

Michigan Woman Faces 93 Days In Jail For Planting A Garden

It just doesn’t get more ridiculous than this.

Julie Bass of Oak Park, Michigan — a mother of 6, law-abiding citizen, and gardener — is facing 93 days in jail after being charged with a misdemeanor.

Her crime? Planting a vegetable garden in the front yard.

Bass says that she planted the garden after her front yard was torn up for some sewer repairs.

Read more here

Originally posted on Treehugger

 

 

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Tags: human habitation, self consumption, Sustainability, uninhabited island, Renewable energy, design buzz <BR/>

 

This is for you. The busy eco-body who just doesn’t have enough time to keep up with Renew Resources’ daily Twitter feed.  So to save you the hassle of sifting through all of our glorious Eco-friendly tweets, we have narrowed and highlighted this week’s best “Sustainable Building” posts. They’re current, relevant and definitely worth knowing about!  Here we go in no particular order!

 

 

Beton Hala Waterfront Proposal by Architecktur Studios

Introducing the Beton Hala Waterfront proposal by Egyptian architects Andreas Eckmann and Stefanie Hesse of Architecktur studios.  Here we have an eco-friendly structure that goes beyond most of our eco-friendly building tweets we’ve made thus far.  What’s so special about it?  Underneath the asphalt lies Piezoelectric Sensors which are placed underneath the 350 meter long pathway expected to produce 420 KW of electricity per day. Specifically, when a 125 lbs individual walks up and down the roadway for a few seconds, it’ll produce 0.1 W of electricity.  Amazing, huh?

Source:  Eco-friend

 

Groundbreaking Recyclable Basketball Stadium by Architizer

Designed by Sinclair Knight Merz, Wilkinson Eyre and KSS London unveil a Recyclable Basketball stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games.  How is a 1,000 steel tonne structure “Green?”  Good question.   It’s a recyclable basketball stadium, meaning that the country can reuse its temporary structure for other events.  Nonetheless, London avoids using over the top wasteful materials for the Olympics and shows to put forth more effort in recyclable standing structures which a step closer to an eco-friendly direction.

Source:  Architizer

 

 

 

Yiftach Ben Meir Sea02′s Computer System For Sustainable Design

 

Architect Yiftach Ben Meir invents Sea02, a computer system dedicated to propose energy alternatives for sustainable design.  Here we have a quick example of how Sea02 helped produce an eco-friendly structure using for a green building project in Tel Aviv.  Ultimately, the plan is to utilize the sun, wind, and land energy sources optimizing solar, wind and land energy for green living.

Source:  Tuvie

 

 

 

 

Summary
And there you have it, Renew Resources‘ top three sustainable building tweets of the week.  All three tweets help us forget about the clusters of crises we experience today and also reminds us that the human species always finds a way to reach over the clouds of calamity and father rainbows of solutions that save the day.  Until next post—stay green.

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Tags: green building, renew resources, olympic games, recycle <BR/>