Posts tagged "sustainable"

Getting Prepared For The Future With A Green Home

You don't necessarily have to believe that the planet is doomed to think that emergency preparedness is just a smarter idea. It is very possible that something, a lot of things in fact, could happen in time or quickly that could drastically alter the way we live today. We have already saw first hand through the media and perhaps even in our own experiences what Mother Nature is capable of and man-made threats as well. This does not mean you must go to extremes and live in fear, but knowing how to better equip yourselves with knowledge and taking the proper precautionary measures for such a life changing event is just good sense.

Read more...

Environmentally Sustainable Companies

Environmental sustainability initiatives are taking place with companies of every size.  A major driver of these initiatives is the increased awareness of the impact businesses can have on the environment.  Recycling programs has made its way into many organizations along with programs to reduce their carbon emissions to help mitigate these negative effects on the environment.

There are several major corporations who are taking a big-picture approach by closely examining their product lifecycle and implementing green supply chain management practices.  These companies are thinking of many creative – and surprisingly easy – ways to incorporate environmental sustainability to their advantage.

What exactly is Environmental Sustainability?

When talking about sustainable business this can be related to social, corporate and/or environmental sustainability.  Altogether, they examine business processes and practices in terms of people, planet, and profit with the goal of creating a positive impact in each area. These practices are improving working conditions while protecting the environment at the same time which have proven to be good business strategies.

For example, by using green supply chain management could potentially eliminate waste which increases cost savings and a better bottom line.  Additionally, many consumers favor companies that ‘go green’ so companies also benefit from a stronger customer loyalty.

There are several well-known and extremely successful companies who are committed to environmental sustainability and green supply chain management.  Below are just several of these companies who are proving to be leaders in supporting the environment all while reaping the rewards.

1.  eBay

eBay focuses on environmental sustainability and it’s built right in their business plan.  The online auction giant enables people from all over the world to reuse goods rather than throwing them away.  The company even started eBay Classifieds which allow people in local communities to exchange goods such as appliances, furniture, and other items that are difficult to ship. This reduces the amount of shipping and packaging that is needed and keeps these items out of landfills.

eBay also looked closely at their supply chain and realized they can make a big impact by partnering with the United States Postal Service (USPS).  Together, they targeted the delivery and logistics aspects of green supply chain management and created a joint line of environmentally friendly packaging.

2.  Starbucks

Starbucks is another company that introduced green supply chain management and environmentally sustainable practices across the board.  Not only do they purchase Fair Trade Certified and organic certified coffee, they are looking to achieve LEED certification for all new corporate outlets.  Their goal is to focus on ‘green’ stores which will reduce their operating costs and environmental impact.  Two of their strategies include adjusting the temperature in air-conditioned stores from 72 degrees to 75 degrees and using cabinetry that is made with 90% post-industrial material.

3.  Google

Google is the final company to be highlighted in this list.  Google is known as a business innovator and they too are leading the way in green supply chain management practices and environmental sustainability.  They choose to power their buildings with renewable sources, bring in goats to trim the grass, and host sustainable cooking seminars.  These initiatives all instill an environmentally aware corporate culture and leads the way as one of the world’s most forward-thinking companies.

More companies are coming to realize the importance of environmental sustainability and green supply chain management along with the financial benefits.  Because of the rewards, companies will expand their green initiatives and will will look to hire educated professionals to lead the way.

Environmental Protection Agency Cracks Down On Power Plants, Air Pollution Downwind
WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is clamping down on pollution from power plants in 27 states that contributes to unhealthy air downwind.
Read more on The Huffington Post

Understanding Eco-Friendly Sustainable Materials – A Must Before Buying A Green Home

Due to the arising consciousness regarding the care for the environment, numerous solutions to address environmental degradation have spread among different industries. Even the real estate world has become an active participant in this cause as there are more homes built with ecologically sustainable materials. These are otherwise known as green homes. If you are looking for a new home to purchase, checking out such homes would be beneficial both for your budget and the environment.

Having sufficient knowledge about quality eco-friendly home construction materials is your first step to choosing a green home in purchasing wisely. There are certain qualities these materials should have so you can be assured these are truly green:

Made or produced locally – as the materials are 100 percent coming from your local area, the energy and fuel to be used in transporting from international or interstate locations are saved. Thus, less harm to the environment. Plus, these are then priced lower than imported products. Coming from renewable sources – especially if you are looking into homes made with woods, you have to check whether these materials come from a wealthy resource. There are manufacturers that strictly get their product ingredients from a special area wherein every cut-down tree is replaced with a new one. Durable, low maintenance and cost-effective – since these materials are known to be coming from sturdy natural resources like trees, their existence can be expected to surpass the life of the inhabitants in the home. Along with their durability, most of these materials are water-resistant, anti-mold and rusting formation. Thus, minimizing costs for repairs and replacements is possible. In addition, some materials are easy to clean that you no longer need to use chemical cleaning detergents or sprays. For example, it usually takes a damp mop to clean a bamboo surface. Safe – their natural composition translates to their being free from toxic and carcinogenic residues. The latter hazardous component is usually emitted by some construction materials like those based from plastic and asbestos.

On the other hand, there are also other qualities that some eco-friendly building materials are distinct to have. Green homes are known to be more aesthetically appealing to home buyers due to their intrinsic natural and fresher look. The materials are also versatile. They can be used for different surfaces – walls, ceiling and roofing or even for finishing touches.

Materials mostly found in green homes these days include wood materials such as bamboo, coco lumber, rattan, narra and mango woods. These are usually built within the home as hardwood floors or wall panels. Especially the bamboo, these are known to be flexible enough to procure less damage in times of natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes. There are also reclaimed woods from old structures. The dry lumber pieces were once beams that have sustained fire or other calamities. As these can withstand extreme conditions, you can then be assured they can last for a long time. Cork is also a good material durable enough to supply maximum insulation indoors. There are homes built with cork floorboards or moisture barriers mounted on top of the concrete. Easy clean up is guaranteed as you only need a damp mop and vinegar water to maintain superb quality of such surface.

Moreover, there are several technologies that paved the way for materials to save energy, extremely resist weathering and provide efficient heating and cooling. These include fiber-cement composite roofing, recycled wood and metal shingles like aluminum and copper, and solar panels integrated with the roof design. Another purpose for recycled aluminum, copper, brass or glass is that these are the newest tile materials. They can be rustic or modern with their different colors, sizes, design and texture. These are available in different finishes like polished, vibrated or matted, sandblasted or rough.

Lastly, energy-efficient windows are also an important feature of green homes. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has a rating system for this home feature. A green home for sale should include the details of such type of windows. These should pass the NFRC designated scores for heat loss prevention, heat gain and UV ray blockage, light penetrability, ample air leakage, glass condensation and moist formation prevention.

You can learn more about the materials by researching through environmentally conscious websites, e-books and local awareness groups. For one, there are specific websites particularly dedicated to releasing listings of new materials used in building and designing green homes. These sites also host forums for home builders and owners who have wide-ranging experiences with such homes. Your endeavor to purchase a property built with eco-friendly and sustainable materials can be more guided. And then you can enjoy a home that serves you and the environment right.

www.howdini.com Green home remodeling: How to remodel for a green home If you’re planning some home remodeling, why not consider ideas for going green at home? Patty Kim from the Green Guide shows simple but significant green home remodeling tips to improve your personal environment and help the planet, too. Keywords: green homes green home remodeling green renovations

Related Green Homes Articles
Sterling Homes to Sponsor Custom Home Building Seminar
Sterling Homes Development Corporation, a custom home builder specializing in new home construction and home renovation, today announced that the company will host a Custom Home Building Seminar for homeowners on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Coldwell Banker Office at 52 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA.
Read more on PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance

Sustainable, Eco-friendly Gift Ideas Available from New Online Store EcoGeekLiving.com

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 3, 2007

EcoGeekLiving.com (www.EcoGeekLiving.com)], an online store with a passion for environmental awareness, announces its recent launch. The site features sustainable , eco-friendly gift ideas. The products featured on the site are perfect as gifts for the individual who has everything.

The site is the brainchild of two New York eco-entrepreneurs and features some of the most unusual, eco-friendly gift ideas on the Web. A random sampling of Eco Geek Living’s offerings includes a wall-mounted hydroponic system for growing vegetables and herbs indoors, a toothbrush sanitizer that kills harmful bacteria using ultra-violet light, a solar-powered “sun jar” that charges in the sunlight to power LED light bulbs inside an old-fashioned mason jar, and for stargazers, a “personal planetarium” that uses GPS technology to help you find your way among the stars.

“We wanted to create an online retail environment that could educate and encourage customers in their efforts to live greener lifestyles,” explains Eco Geek Living co-founder and CEO Chrystal Dailey. “By offering simple, eco-friendly and sustainable products, we hope to help our customers make an easy transition from traditional products to reasonably priced, earth-friendly alternatives. Our mission is to prove that making the switch to sustainable products does not have to mean giving up comfort, variety or affordability.”

The Eco Geek Living products are selected on the basis of utility, sustainability and eco-friendliness, but the site is extremely user-friendly, as well. Eco Geek Living is so dedicated to providing a nurturing, enjoyable shopping experience that it offers site visitors a $ 15 gift coupon in exchange for posting their comments on the site’s “customer review” page, and provides free shipping on orders above $ 250. Along with easy-access customer care, a hassle-free return policy and a wide selection of payment and ordering options, EcoGeekLiving.com conveys a spirit of generosity, conscious business practices and reverence for the planet.

Perhaps most important for the upcoming holiday season is the Eco Geek Living gift registry, which allows users to invite their friends to browse the site’s eco-friendly gift ideas and select the gifts of their choice. The registry includes a guestbook, online photo album, RSVP system and e-notification system. The user-friendly registry comes with a comprehensive list of FAQs to make the gift-selection process even easier.

Eco Geek Living’s founders believe that small changes make a big difference. The partners, Chrystal Dailey and Malaika Ashcroft, share a passion for fun, trendy gadgets and a commitment to environmental awareness, and when they discovered a niche market for “eco-gadgets,” EcoGeekLiving.com was born. Their extensive research into unusual, functional, eco-friendly products resulted in a collection of unique gift items that go beyond mere gadgetry to address a full spectrum of sustainable living possibilities.

“Our intention is to bring more exposure to the everyday benefits of using eco-friendly products. It is our hope that we can help to make these types of products commonplace in every home and office,” emphasizes Dailey.

For more information about EcoGeekLiving.com, its sustainable and eco-friendly gift ideas , or to arrange an interview with its principals, please contact Malaika Ashcroft at 877.246.4335 or e-mail info @ ecogeekliving.com.

# # #

Solar Panels For Home Or Business Energy

It is almost high noon on the energy front. Oil, the material that is used to create most of the world's electricity is becoming too expensive to use to create electricity for home consumption. Even if you believe that there are lakes of oil left, which could be true, the main reason they have not been exploited yet is because it is too expensive to get out. The only thing that makes it a viable concern is the high price of oil on the market.

Read more...